Editorial: Point and counterpoint on having a 4X4 for bad weather driving
Point: Here in Toledo, Ohio, where I live, we just got abut a foot of snow. I had to drive into work last night and would have had a very tough time if I did not have a 4x4 truck. Thankfully, I do have one. While I was there, the snow drifts made the parking lot almost impassible, and our security guard couldn't get her car out. So, I dropped her off at a nearby hotel. Again, without having my 4x4 truck, we may not have been able to make it there. What's my point in all of this? Sometimes, having a vehicle with 4 wheel-drive is necessary to get around. How often it is required depends on where you live and what your occupation may be. What I am saying is this: Some people need vehicles that most would consider non-green.
Counterpoint: In the two years that I have owned my truck it has been in 4 wheel-drive less than five times. Any day but yesterday, I most likely could have traveled where I needed to go without having a 4x4, but locking it in made the road more easily traversed. I own a truck in the first place because I require its hauling and payload capability about twenty times during any given year. Before, I would need to borrow my father's truck for these tasks. What is the point of my counterpoint? There has been precisely one time when the necessity of having a 4x4 allowed me to get somewhere I had to go. Truth be told, I could probably have just stayed home that one time. The fuel penalty of 1 mpg under the 2 wheel-drive version would have saved me money and had an impact, albeit small, on the environment.
Draw your own conclusions... you are probably already on one side or the other. I know that it sure was nice to have it when I "needed it", but I can now see that it is mostly unnecessary. Fortunately for me, my other car is much more fuel-efficient and I can take that vehicle most of the time. The truck is my family's second vehicle. When it comes time to replace it, I am hoping that the Phoenix SUT will be available and at a price I can afford. It would suit my needs perfectly; if you own a truck, ask yourself, how about yours?
If the answer is no, how about a hybrid for your second car? It seems to work for 25 percent of all the other hybrid owners out there!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Karkus 2:58PM (2/14/2007)
Ummmm... why not both. There are several all wheel drive hybrids available, like the Highlander and the Escape. (OK they are not true all time 4WD vehicles, but for snow AWD is really all you need). In fact, hybrids (like Toyota's) can used an electric motor to power the rear wheels, which saves a bunch of weight and mechanical complexity (fewers shafts, differentials) and therefore reduces the MPG penalty of 4wd systems.
Reply
Michael 3:55PM (2/14/2007)
In Washington state, most people use studded tires for winter driving. I have now driven two winters with a '94 Subaru Legacy with standard tires and never needed any extra traction. I also average 26 mpg in the summer when I am driving normally.
I can't wait for Subaru to start selling a Diesel Legacy!!
Reply
Jack S. 4:05PM (2/14/2007)
I say whatever. I used to live in the snowbelt (northeast Ohio) and drove a 1986 300ZX. It managed to make it through all of the snowstorms as long as there was at least marginal snow clearing on the roads and parking lots. This is generally the case for that area.
4x4's breed false confidence, particularly in the braking area...they still slide just as much once you have to start slowing them down.
Counter-Counter point : get by with one car and learn how to drive it in snow if you live in such an area.
Reply
Tush 4:31PM (2/14/2007)
I live in an area that doesn't get pummeled with snow, but definitely gets a fair share every winter. We have on Prius and one Subaru Forester. The Forester has been dependable and even brings joy to driving in the snow. The best part is that it's got decent mileage as well. Subaru is good at making capable vehicles that don't guzzle.
Reply
Michael Hippenhammer 12:37AM (2/15/2007)
I live in Bend, OR where we get snow and ice and sometimes alot. I had been driving a VW Vanagon 4 x4 (not the syncro type) and felt guilty driving all year and only getting 17mpg. So I bought a used VW 2000 Beetle TDI that gets 40mpg in town, 46 on the hwy. I have decreased my fuel bill by 50% and cut my carbon out-put by a greater margin. 8 months out of the year I run B100 bio-diesel so I cut my carbon emissions even farther if you factor in the fact that I did not pump carbon out of the ground, but instead pulled it out of the atomsphere. In short buy a commuter car and let the 4x4 sit until needed.
Reply
George Krpan 10:14PM (2/14/2007)
I'm not berating you for have a 4x4 truck. I'm just pointing out that there are smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles with 4 wheel drive.
Reply
Ken 3:43AM (2/15/2007)
If you don't need to haul something large at least a third of the time, or need four-wheel-drive at least once a month then a 4X4 pickup makes very little sense as an only vehicle. A two-wheel drive vehicle (or on with AWD if that makes you feel better) that can tow a small trailer occasionally would probably better suit your needs. The thing to remember with AWD/4WD is that it only helps with forward motivation and does nothing for lateral and braking traction. IMO if you can't get enough forward traction to get where you need to go with two driven wheels and some good snow tires (or chains) then it's probably an unnecessary risk to venture out on the roads that day.
Reply
Bill 9:12AM (2/15/2007)
I flirted with AWD, but now I'm back to FWD. I still think that winter tires are the most effective "bang for the buck" out there.
Reply
Juan 9:25AM (2/15/2007)
I'm tired of the 4x4 guilt trips. What if you are upside-down on a loan on a SUV, and you can't just go trade it in for a hybrid? America buys things with debt.
Ideally, I would have both. Of course, ideally, my second car would be a Bugatti Veyron. Too bad I live in reality and the environment takes a back seat to what is practical.
Besides, I actually use by 4x4 for some off-roading. So at least the 15mpg feels a little less pointless, even though most of the time I'm just driving to work.
Reply
bobk 9:58AM (2/15/2007)
I have always owned a 4x4. Currently own a Jeep Liberty CRD. Quite happy about it.
But then again, I have also always owned motorcycles and use them as my primary daily transportation including daily shopping, as long as the temps are 35 degrees or above. Below 35 degrees, I worry about black ice.
So, despite a daily commute of 30 miles each way and other driving, my 4x4's have always averaged less than 5K miles a year. The motorcycles have always averaged about 12K miles per year.
Oh, and I did investigate mass transit once. Not non-existent in KC metro, but certainly a joke. Best case was that I would drive five miles to the nearest point where I could catch a bus, then pay twice what my daily commute costs in bus fares, take three times as long getting to where I could walk the last two miles to the office.
Reply
Sam 10:19AM (2/15/2007)
Get a Jeep Liberty CRD or Grand Cherokee CRD and run B99/B100.
My parents have a 2006 Liberty CRD and it gets near 30 mpg on the highway and is very safe & stable with 4-wheel electronic traction control.
Reply
Pete 6:11PM (2/15/2007)
I drive a '95 Nissan 2WD pickup with 210,000 miles. I've driven it on snow and ice for days at a time, and all I've ever need for those conditions were:
1) Tire chains
2) First gear
Granted, AWD may be a lot nicer. But for the 3-4 times a year I need it, it just wasn't worth the up-front cost and the year-round expense (in reduced mileage).
There's also this: AWD gives you a false sense of security. The way a lot of folks drove during the last ice storm, it seemed they thought their AWD came with a premium set of physical laws that exempted them from the consequences of momentum, torque and a low coefficient of friction. So they tended to end up wrapped around trees, bridge abutments, each other, etc.
If you die that way I understand they *will* let you into heaven, but they make you wear a sign around your neck saying I AM ISAAC NEWTON'S BITCH.
Reply
JSacharuk 12:49PM (2/15/2007)
Along the major highways here in Alberta, every time there's a bad snowstorm and you see vehicles in the ditch, there are inevitably more 4x4s ditched or rolled than cars. It's about 2-to-1, I'd say. Even the police have noticed it; it was in an article in the paper earlier this winter.
I'm not saying the AWD or 4WD caused it directly, but people put too much stock in what the vehicle is going to do. Most places that you'd need to haul stuff from let you rent a truck for the afternoon to do it with. Also consider getting things like that delivered. Even that is more economical in the long term than owning a truck or large SUV.
Reply
Doug R 12:07PM (2/15/2007)
Even if it's once a year, once is enough considering people die when stranded in blizzard conditions. Many of the comments above reflect a lack of consideration for this fact. Saving gas isn't worth your life.
I own a FWD mini van that usually does pretty well in bad conditions but this last ice storm was the exception and definitely required the Durango. Pretty much anyone without 4X4 capability was s.o.l.. Ignore it if you want, but that's was the reality. Especially if you lose power as many of us did. If you live in a rural area, no power means no water.
Planning ahead and stocking up on supplies is important. Staying off the roads is the best idea no matter what you drive. However, eventually you'll need something and a winter venture becomes a requirement.
Studded tires are great. My Mom drove a giant Chrylser and had 2 snow tires with studs for bad weather and did pretty well. But when conditions get really bad, 4WD is still the safest choice.
Jack S., I'm sure with proper clearing your 300ZX did alright. However, serious sleet and ice is a different animal, no comparison to snow fall. Getting around in the last ice storm with your 300 is a pipe dream. With studded tires? Maybe. In 7 degrees for a high temps.? Not worth the risk.
People do need to learn to drive in snow regardless the vehicle. 4X4s can breed false confidence but your statement is an oxymoron to the extreme. The reason they breed false confidence is "because" they have superior braking and traction over anything else. The sure footed feel of the vehicle "causes" the false confidence in the first place. I'm thinking you've never owned one.
Whether you're talking about bad weather or safety in an accident, higher mileage is no substitute for the survival of yourself and your family.
Reply
Kendall Tawes 12:06PM (2/15/2007)
I have a '86 Buick Skyhawk. Even though it's all small 4 cylinder the gets about 36-41 mpg it still does very well on the snow. In all the time I have had it it has never been stuck in the snow. I have driven without a problem over the same areas that a Ford Explorer nearly wrecked in. Today in fact I got out of my car only to find I couldn't even stand where I just drove and promptly fell on my bum. So while I'm sore having a hard time getting around my car at least is not.
Long story short a 4X4 doesn't equal solid traction. Just find a car that has a proper drive-train and decent tyres and you should be able to get around on most road surfaces. If that doesn't work get two cars a good everyday runabout and an old banger that can do a little grunt work. After all not everyday is a snow day.
Reply
JSacharuk 12:54PM (2/15/2007)
Doug R, you're making the point for other people. A 4x4 doesn't have superior braking. Why would it? All four wheels have brakes on other vehicles, too. In fact, I bet I can stop my station wagon faster than you can stop almost any SUV or truck just because it's lighter. It's lower to the ground, so the clearance isn't as good, but the centre of gravity is lower, so I'm less likely to have problems with a rollover. Not to mention I've got a pretty nice traction control and ESP system.
I believe in the old adage that 4WD is there to get yourself out of the mess that you're already in. Only good driving habits can keep you out of the mess in the first place. (Your story about the ice storm is the kind of mess that you stay out of if at all possible, of course. :)
Reply
Doug R 2:58PM (2/15/2007)
Off the subject but relates to bad weather and ice storms in particular. As mentioned above, if you live in a rural area where you rely on a well and electric pump for water, no power means no water.
If you know a potential power killing ice storm is coming, besides the usual filling of water containers for drinking and cooking, everyone in the household take your showers and fill the bathtubs to the rim with water. That way you can scoop it out into the tank of the toilet for flushing. If you're conservative (don't flush every time you go #1), it can last quite a while.
No heat isn't fun.
Conserving drinking water isn't fun.
No toilet SUCKS!
I've lived in the country for 27 yrs. and just figured out the bathtub tip. Oh well.
Reply
MikeW 2:51PM (2/15/2007)
Four wheel drive means center differential. It doesn't make any sense to carry around a drivetrain that is only used for ~1% of the miles traveled per year. Off-road drive, Jeep Wrangler, most pickups, etc.
Having a center differential give traction advantages 24/365.
Just ask any WRX, sti, or Evo owner.
Reply
john riley 3:00PM (2/15/2007)
The reason I would consider 4wd is not so much for what goes on on the road, but for getting in and out of parking spaces and the driveway.
Here in Toronto, many street parking places don't get plowed. You end up having to drive into a pile of snow when you park. This gets packed down very unevenly; then you go through some freeze and thaw cycles and it can turn into solid ice.
Meanwhile at the end of the driveway there is a constant battle with keeping it clear and with the plows plowing it shut. You have to slow down to turn into the driveway so you don't have much momentum to ram through. A bit of extra ground clearance and 4wd would be welcome navigating this.
Reply
kballs 3:56PM (2/15/2007)
I'm with Ken. If you don't need a ton of ground clearance for crawling around on jeep trails every weekend, and you don't need to regularly tow and haul 2000+ lb loads, you're better off with a smaller non-truck vehicle with or without AWD, and a utility trailer for the times when you need to haul things that won't fit in the back of a small wagon/van/suv.
You can even get 4x8' fold-up utility trailers now that will fit in a corner of your garage or driveway, and they can generally haul as much or more than a full size pickup (and without having to lift the contents up high for loading).
Reply