2022 RWD in Snow/Winter Weather

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ReloExp

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Looking for some input/experience from anyone using a 2022 RWD in snow/winter weather. We just moved to Ohio from down South, and need to decide whether to keep or trade our RWD. I was hoping to trade in and buy a new 4WD, but at current prices would only get half what I paid 2 years ago for RWD. So - looking for any experience people have of how the RWD performs in snow/winter?

Thanks in advance for any inputs!
 

Deadman

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I'm in Northern, WI and yes I have 4WD, but you are a lot south of me. I would just run the rwd and try it. Mine does pretty well in 2wd. Just throw some weight in the back if you are concerned.
 

BigOleFordFan

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Having driven in the winters of Ohio, Kentucky, Western PA & northern WV, I can tell you that RWD vehicles, when equipped with a sensible, knowledgeable driver AND the proper tires, can do just fine in the snow. And as Deadman said, throw some weight in the back, over the axles, if you go to areas that are especially slippery. I typically used about 6-8x 80lb bags of concrete mix, but bags of top soil or landscaping rocks will do also. A friend of mine used a bunch of cinder blocks too :)

Just remember:

A) Slow the f*ck down & take your time
B) Driving on snow/ice/slush-covered roads is NOTHING like driving in the rain or any other weather conditions
C) Whenever possible, use the same tire tracks that are already there
D) Driving in an active snow STORM is dangerous as hell, but can be done
E) Slow the f*ck down & take your time
F) Keep plenty of room between you & other cars, at least 2 car lengths all around, in front & back
G) Slow the f*ck down & take your time
I) Don't make sudden, quick movements
J) Stay off the brakes, especially in turns & going downhill
K) Slow the f*ck down & take your time

I know that's alot to grasp, but it's gotten me through 45+ years of driving on snow/ice/slush-covered roads WITHOUT A SINGLE accident, spin out, or need of a tow truck :D
 

NevadaGeo

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The traction control is excellent on these vehicles. You should be fine unless you start thinking you're a super hero. Should be fun! Take it into a vacant parking lot when it snows and do some donuts. Its the best way to get the feel of the vehicle on ice. Of course, turn off traction control first! Have fun! I taught my daughters to drive in snow by letting them spin it round n round!
 

bb37

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Where you are in Ohio will make big difference in how the roads are maintained in winter. Toledo and Cleveland deal with lake effect snow (wind blows across the Great Lakes, picks up moisture, dumps it in adjacent land area), so they're probably pretty good with snow removal. Cincinnati gets more ice than snow and the hills make driving even more interesting.

First snowfall, drive to a deserted parking lot and practice braking, turning, and accelerating. If you brake too hard, the ABS will kick in and you may find yourself going straight when you want to turn. Think about weight transfer. If you try to brake and turn, weight will come off of the rear wheels, they'll lose traction, and you'll spin out.

As previously stated, slow down. Plan on delays and slowdowns. Keep your cell phone charged. Carry kitty litter or playground sand in the vehicle (it'll be extra weight and it might provide traction to get you unstuck). Carry blankets in case you get really stuck out in the country and have to tough it out.

Get a good snow brush/scraper and use it. Clear all your windows before you drive off.

Have fun!
 

dlcorbett

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My 2018 and 2020 were rwd and never had a scare in the snow
 

Calidad

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The extended vs standard length matters in a big way! My standard length with high quality 3peak tires is surprisingly decent in 2wd. The oem tires in full 4x4 could hardly deal with the same post storm cruddy road snow vs 2wd with the BFG Trail Terrains were able to transit the same street with little to no issues.

However! My buddies extended 2020 was a disaster completely useless in 2wd on stock tires and close to useless in 4x4. He put Michelin Lx’s on it and it improved 4x4 capability in the snow greatly but 2wd it was still pretty bad.

Tires!!!!! Can change these from completely useless in snow to quite good.
 

GixxerJasen

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I moved from Dallas to Cleveland some years ago. Moved right back after a year, but it wasn't because of the driving in the snow.

My wife had an FWD Honda CRV and she'd lived in Texas all her life, so I was determined to get her the best all season tires as possible at the time. That thing did all we could ask of it and did it well. Only got stuck one time, at a stop sign there was a slight incline and it was icy. Turned off the driving aids and managed to get up it once it was allowed to spin the tires a little. We even managed to get to a hockey game during a snowstorm with an unknown to us driving ban.

I picked up a 2WD F150 in the fall and had it all through the winter. Like others said, slow down and drive carefully. I could slide the back end around when I wanted to but it was manageable. Expedition has a lot more weight over the back wheels than an empty F150 so you'll do fine.

Funny thing, you'll likely be a better driver in the snow, especially that first big snow, than the locals. They have all the confidence of being experienced snow drivers and tend to not drive so carefully. You'll be nervous and drive cautiously and will likely have less potential incidents. Seriously, going out in that first snow is a little scary until all the locals remember what they are supposed to do. Get some good tires and take your time, you'll be fine.

IMG_0615-M.jpg
 

TonyR0206

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Having driven in the winters of Ohio, Kentucky, Western PA & northern WV, I can tell you that RWD vehicles, when equipped with a sensible, knowledgeable driver AND the proper tires, can do just fine in the snow. And as Deadman said, throw some weight in the back, over the axles, if you go to areas that are especially slippery. I typically used about 6-8x 80lb bags of concrete mix, but bags of top soil or landscaping rocks will do also. A friend of mine used a bunch of cinder blocks too :)

Just remember:

A) Slow the f*ck down & take your time
B) Driving on snow/ice/slush-covered roads is NOTHING like driving in the rain or any other weather conditions
C) Whenever possible, use the same tire tracks that are already there
D) Driving in an active snow STORM is dangerous as hell, but can be done
E) Slow the f*ck down & take your time
F) Keep plenty of room between you & other cars, at least 2 car lengths all around, in front & back
G) Slow the f*ck down & take your time
I) Don't make sudden, quick movements
J) Stay off the brakes, especially in turns & going downhill
K) Slow the f*ck down & take your time

I know that's alot to grasp, but it's gotten me through 45+ years of driving on snow/ice/slush-covered roads WITHOUT A SINGLE accident, spin out, or need of a tow truck :D
Slow the F*ck down...unless you're driving up a hill with snowy roads...then get your momentum at the bottom of the hill and do your damndest to keep your momentum going up the hlll...don't stop! We live in upstate NY and on top of a mountain in our town. One thing we've learned is that if you're at the base of the hill and there is someone in front of you, pull over and wait for about a minute and let them get some distance in front of you. You have no idea how well / poorly this person in front of you is going to do going up the hill. If you're right behind them, and they start spinning their tires, or they're driving to slow and get bogged down...you'll lose all of your momentum, and you too will start to struggle to make it up the hill.
 

parsonj

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Surprised no one has mentioned getting familiar and comfortable with your manual gear selection. Using the engine to control your speed will help keep you out of trouble that brakes will often get you into
 

Deadman

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If I had a 2wd I wouldn't bother with 3peak tires. Just get real snow tires to run in the winter. There is no replacement for real snow tires.
Exactly. I see some 3 peak tires and laugh as I know they won't do well in snow compared to a real snow tire. I run snow tires on my work beater car, and that thing will go thru ridiculous amounts of snow under control and even at higher speeds.
 

Fizzy

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Surprised no one has mentioned getting familiar and comfortable with your manual gear selection. Using the engine to control your speed will help keep you out of trouble that brakes will often get you into
As someone who lives in the frozen north... no. These aren't manual stick vehicles with user controllable clutches. Screwing around with the pseudo-manual gear selector on a fully auto vehicle to get yourself out of trouble is a one way ticket to the wrecking yard.
 
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ib_jigged

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My first pick-up was a 2WD and I never had that stuck. Traded it for a 4WD and was stuck a lot! Mostly because I thought I was now invincible with 4WD!
 

Calidad

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Exactly. I see some 3 peak tires and laugh as I know they won't do well in snow compared to a real snow tire. I run snow tires on my work beater car, and that thing will go thru ridiculous amounts of snow under control and even at higher speeds.
Not everyone needs full snow tires either. Which case 3peak is a great option otherwise you burn through a set of Snow tires driving on dry pavement
 

duneslider

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Not everyone needs full snow tires either. Which case 3peak is a great option otherwise you burn through a set of Snow tires driving on dry pavement
If I lived in California, yep three peak is good enough. Heck, even in Utah, 3peak might be enough. It gets a little hilly where I live and every winter I pass people on the side of the road in 2wd that aren't going anywhere even plenty of AWD's that aren't going anywhere. If I had a 2wd and lived where I did I would get snow tires. I have been fine with 4wd though. My bald mud tires did pretty well last winter too, luckily the front had a little more tread than the rear but I kept expecting to have issues. Luckily, we don't get a lot of ice here.

I haven't been that impressed with the 3peak tires I have had when it came to snow and ice, that said I just run mud tires on my jeep cause they seem to do just as well as the 3peaks I have tried.

The Michelin Crossclimate2 is used a lot in my area and people seem to like it a lot and it seems to last a long time. I may give them a go if I keep the 22's on my exp.
 

Fastcar

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I used Blizzak tires, a dedicated snow/ice tire. I'd put them on in November and take them off in April. Calidad is correct, they would go away real quick in warm weather.
 

GixxerJasen

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The problem with running dedicated snow tires, that I can see, is the weather, at least where I lived in Cleveland(Parma). It was all flat and it'd snow a ton and be deep and cold for several days. They'd plow and salt the roads of course, and then the temps would pop back up to the 50's for a few days and the roads would be dry and warmish. Then it'd get cold and snow again. All Season tires worked fine there.
 

Fastcar

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The problem with running dedicated snow tires, that I can see, is the weather, at least where I lived in Cleveland(Parma). It was all flat and it'd snow a ton and be deep and cold for several days. They'd plow and salt the roads of course, and then the temps would pop back up to the 50's for a few days and the roads would be dry and warmish. Then it'd get cold and snow again. All Season tires worked fine there.
All season tires are sorta like a swiss army knife, they do a bunch of things but none of them real well imo. I remember reading that to qualify as a all season tire it had to move through 3" of snow. But to each his own.
 
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