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by supermatt 1269 days ago
Well actually... 4x4 is worse for going downhill on ice. If one axle loses traction (which would be much more likely on summer tyres), the other can initiate a slide.

This is the exact reason people dont like 4x4 on ice. AWD (usually) lessens the problem - which is why i said they absolutely help with the correct tyres.

And again - DONT SLOW DOWN when going down hill. Your brakes WILL lock a wheel and you WILL slide. Slow down BEFORE you go downhill. If you havent experienced this truth, then you havent driven downhill on ice (which is preferable).
1 comments
bombcar 1269 days ago
Yeah 4xAWD (let’s piss everyone off) helps maintain action when you’re driving IN the snow (you have a slightly better chance of not getting stuck if you can power all your wheels and have appropriately calibrated antislip).

But losing control because of ice can happen no matter how many driven or traction control wheels you have. And all wheels are basically skis when you’re skidding at 90° to the direction of travel. In fact, in some skids front wheel drive will be the best as at least you have a chance of powersteering out.

The real trick is to not start the skid at all. Sloooooooow down before you’re driving sideways.

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supermatt 1269 days ago
> In fact, in some skids front wheel drive will be the best as at least you have a chance of powersteering out.

Yep, this is actually why AWD is (usually) better than 4WD, because it can drive the single axle, treating it as a 2WD.

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