Does anybody else here do this?

[Habbibie]

Just curious, when it snows heavily here and the roads are covered in snow I tend (actually I always) turn off traction control & advanced Trac off too and I just simply pedal my way through the snow and when turning I control the throttle to allow the truck to actually turn properly (spin the back end) and not just understeer or slide into a turn?

I have 4x4 on my expy and my f150 but I've never used them except to pull someone who is stuck or going up my inclined driveway in reverse... just wondering cause every One just uses traction control and they'e ok with the truck killing almost all power to the wheels when trying to get a moving motion happening.

 

[JExpedition07]

You don’t run in 4 Auto?

 

[edizzle]

For flat land, I leave it on. When we are in a hairy spot or going up hill, I find it MUCH better to have control of everything, so I turn all the frills off.

 

[deweysmith]

I do the opposite, I put it in 4A and I leave all the computer stuff on. I feel like it doesn’t assist too aggressively and it does a pretty phenomenal job of keeping me moving where I’m steering.

It’s also helped me walk off piles of snow I high-centered myself on. I really like the computer assists, it’s one thing I think Ford has done really well.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Yeah.

IMO, if you don't get comfortable getting sideways and loose on purpose, you're going to completely lose it when crap DOES hit the fan.

We had freezing drizzle here this morning. Roads were covered in ice. Drove to work in RWD. Only got sideways when I wanted to.

 

[edizzle]

I do the opposite, I put it in 4A and I leave all the computer stuff on. I feel like it doesn’t assist too aggressively and it does a pretty phenomenal job of keeping me moving where I’m steering.

It’s also helped me walk off piles of snow I high-centered myself on. I really like the computer assists, it’s one thing I think Ford has done really well.

When you are going up a steep hill the computer will keep you from getting down on the throttle. You will loose your momentum. With it off, you can hammer down and claw your way up as I did a few months ago!

 

[deweysmith]

When you are going up a steep hill the computer will keep you from getting down on the throttle. You will loose your momentum. With it off, you can hammer down and claw your way up as I did a few months ago!

True. I do disable the TCS from time to time but the button on the dash when briefly pressed only disables the throttle control portion. I leave all the other systems fully enabled all the time. Computers are smarter than people.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Yeah.

IMO, if you don't get comfortable getting sideways and loose on purpose, you're going to completely lose it when crap DOES hit the fan.

We had freezing drizzle here this morning. Roads were covered in ice. Drove to work in RWD. Only got sideways when I wanted to.

Why would you drive and turn the vehicle sideways during inclement weather and road conditions?

 

[ExplorerTom]

Why would you drive and turn the vehicle sideways during inclement weather and road conditions?

So I know how to correct it when it goes sideways for real.

I guess some people just don't understand. I spent years autocrossing and doing track days and have seen them improve my calm behind the wheel. Start sliding for some reason: eyes up, turn into the skid, look where you want to go (not where you ARE going), avoid stomping on the brake. Someone else does something dumb in front of you: seen it plenty of times before and can stay calm.

Plus: it's fun as hell. And if you've never experienced it, I sorta feel bad for you and slightly scared for myself since I share the road with you.

 

[deweysmith]

Plus: it's fun as hell. And if you've never experienced it, I sorta feel bad for you and slightly scared for myself since I share the road with you.

This is true. I used to do it in my Tacoma all the time, I've done it in my Expedition for fun in an empty parking lot, and it's kind of a required skill when driving RZRs around in sand dunes, which is a blast and a half.



Just don't get high centered like my brother-in-law!

 

[MrTommy]

View attachment 23333

Just don't get high centered like my brother-in-law!

Hahahahahaha. From a fellow RZR owner.

 

[JExpedition07]

This is true. I used to do it in my Tacoma all the time, I've done it in my Expedition for fun in an empty parking lot, and it's kind of a required skill when driving RZRs around in sand dunes, which is a blast and a half.

View attachment 23333

Just don't get high centered like my brother-in-law!

That things got a LONG wheelsbase

 

[rcompart]

First thing I do when starting out in inclement weather conditions is stab the brakes from 30 and see how everything responds. I grew up in the middle of BFE and learned to drive on country roads in RWD vehicles without power anything and was taught to make sure you have an idea how long it would take you to stop. It made sense and the idea has stuck with me. Another way I’ve familiarized myself with the handling of new vehicles is after a nice helping of snow I find a car and light pole free parking lot, turn off all the driving aids and perform various driving and braking maneuvers to see how the vehicle responds. Then I turn everything back on and do the same thing. Gives you a good idea what you can expect in similar real world driving situations and what systems you need to turn off and how/when to do it. Much better than finding out after you’re already stuck in the tulips or you’ve hit something or been hit.

 

[deweysmith]

That things got a LONG wheelsbase

106” on the 4-seat, about the same as most Jeeps. Just nothing before or after, so approach and departure angles are basically 90°.

Also about 15” of suspension travel, which is INSANE. They’re so much fun.

 

[JExpedition07]

106” on the 4-seat, about the same as most Jeeps. Just nothing before or after, so approach and departure angles are basically 90°.

Also about 15” of suspension travel, which is INSANE. They’re so much fun.

That’s almost the same wheelbase as my expy, 119”. Lol.

 

[rjdelp7]

I have been driving my Expedition in Buffalo winters for over a decade. I recently drove a Ford full size van, in some light snow. It slipped and spun. The traction light kept kicking on. It drove awful. I shut off traction control and it was worse. The A4wd makes a night and day difference. It makes no sense to disable it.

 

[Habbibie]

I have been driving my Expedition in Buffalo winters for over a decade. I recently drove a Ford full size van, in some light snow. It slipped and spun. The traction light kept kicking on. It drove awful. I shut off traction control and it was worse. The A4wd makes a night and day difference. It makes no sense to disable it.

LoL u need more practice, it's the easiest thing to drive without any stability/traction aids, but I'm not gonna lie the longer the truck is the harder it gets to turn it with a slide

 

[J Ski]

Yeah.

IMO, if you don't get comfortable getting sideways and loose on purpose, you're going to completely lose it when crap DOES hit the fan.

We had freezing drizzle here this morning. Roads were covered in ice. Drove to work in RWD. Only got sideways when I wanted to.

Job security for fire fighters and ems personnel. That’s piss poor advice. 4a and the truck will know what to do

 

[deweysmith]

The only reason I like the advice of sliding intentionally in a controlled environment is that it helps you learn not to panic. The last thing you want is to freeze up and do nothing.

You are correct, though. With all the fancy computers, point the wheel where you want to go, they will be far better at getting you what you want than you will

 

[JExpedition07]

If you start to fishtail or spin out still turn into the spin until you regain control.... the computers can’t save you if you turn against the spin your going to lose control..... to regain control you turn your wheel in the direction the rear is sliding, if the rear starts sliding right then turn your wheel right (Not crazy just enough) and the truck will catch and come around. If you try to steer against the rear that when you lose it all... think about it the rear kicks out right and you turn left, at this point your rear is totally going right and your front end will come around and your flipped right around, always steer into a slide not against. This demonstrates how to correct the slide.