2WD or 4WD

RedRocket204 wrote:

BillyW wrote:

wwest wrote:
Put it in 4WD, or WORSE, 4X4 (ABS/VS is disabled automatically) "apply" engine braking, the "weight" shifts frontward, you end up plowing/understeering into the car ahead.

I don't really want to distract from the actual thread, but I gotta say around the Washington/Idaho border where winters are definitely taken seriously, and where I've spent the bulk of 54 of them, I would take a a 4 wheel drive over a 2 wheel drive with ABS any time. It's much better in most situations despite the "know it alls" claiming we'll all end up in a ditch. You'll still skid on ice with ABS, in fact you'll skid straight ahead just like you said. 4 wheel drive on the other hand guides you in the desired direction very nicely. Two years ago I watched about 50% of the vehicles (from semi's to Prius') slide right off the freeway while going under 5 mph. 4/all wheel drive vehicles made of the majority of those that remained on the road. I'll grant you that understeer is a real issue with 4 wheel drive. Simply lifting from the accelerator almost always corrects it.

Or even a blip of the throttle while in 4x4 will immediately gain you traction in the event traction is lost. Understeer really should only be an issue if you are driving too fast...and yes, I do know the textbook definition of understeer.

wwest makes it sound like using 4x4 while turning will absolutely result in loss of traction on the front wheels, not true. Proper driving technique like not following close, making arcing turns, not sharp, quick turns and then staying off your brakes as best as possible(i.e. gearing down on decents) will trump nannies on cars with poor driving, 2 wheel drive or 4x4. wwest can believe what he wants. I'll take my practical experience any day as I have 0 issues even though it sounds like I should be tractionless, skidding off the road in inclimate weather all of the time.

X2, mostly to RedRocket204's statement, starting to sound like a gas vs diesel from gassers point of view.
The definition of "Understeer" is that the vehicle keeps going in the direction it was going already, not responding to the direction of the steering wheels.

Well the fact is when the steering wheels are also driving the vehicle the will go the direction that the wheels are turned, far better direction control. This all assumes that you are NOT driving too fast for the road conditions.

If you think car salesmen don't know Jack about payload, just ask them about 4X4, AWD, and Traction Control they will tell snow and ice "No Problem" you can drive right through it at speed!!!