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buddyIam's avatar
buddyIam
Explorer
Nov 08, 2014

Another question on winter traction

On the way to Mammoth during the 1980's I stopped to chain up on the way up Sherman Pass.. A jeep Cherokee speed past us. A 1/4 of a mile past us the Jeep took a near 90 degree left hand turn. crossed 4 lanes of road and a island and drove at least 30 feet up a incline of what may have been 45 degrees. (this was in a cutout made for the highway.)

The Jeep rolled down the embankment made an almost 180 degree reversal crossed the 4 lanes and island again and speed the same distance up the opposite embankment. It then rolled back down, facing in the right direction in almost the exact spot the accident began.

Is this just the result of the foot to the floor of a petrified driver? When we drove by them the driver was still sitting still in his seat.

Some have said it may have been the result of to much speed and a 4x4 without a locking front differential combined with patchy ice on the road. Their explanation is that one wheel began spinning at double speed while on ice. Then hit bare pavement. This makes sense also.


We were in a dually work truck with a lot of weight but the ice was patchy and bad. So we chained up.

22 Replies

  • Too many people think the extra traction of 4x4 means they can drive as if it were dry pavement. Too much speed.

    4x4 in most old Cherokees locked front and rear axles so they have to turn at the same speeds. Any difference in tire diameters from wear or pressure, one or more wheels will be slipping or trying to slip, to make up the difference. This is fine for loose surfaces, low speeds off road, what these 4x4 systems were designed to handle. It means maybe a little less control, one or more wheels a little loose, on slick surfaces. Again, better for getting traction at low speeds, than for cotrol in high speed driving.

    More sophisticated 4x4, and AWD systems, have slippage in the transfer case, or a diiferential or torque splitter istead of a transfer case. Most now have stability assist systems, either managing torque, adjusting traction with throttle control and individual wheel braking. These are for slick road driving, standard or optional on most modern SUVs. But it still doesn't mean you can drive any speed you want on an icy road.
  • There are just too many people that think "it" will never happen to them, that they are the exception, that the laws of physics don't apply to them. I don't call it an accident, I call it stupid!

    Glad you took the time to do the right thing.