Driving Disco on snowy/icy roads? Help?

[DirtyDisco]

Okay, I have a 97 Disco 1 and I went up to the mountains yesterday while it was snowing. I had some chains from my dads truck that I'm pretty sure will fit but I decided to try heading up the hill without having to stop and put them on. Around the corners I lost control a few times. The brakes basically didn't help at all and I started sliding off the road. Even going kind of slow it still had trouble braking. I'm planning on buying a set of chains before I drive up there next, my main question is should I put them on the front since it's all-wheel drive or the back? I seem to be having the most trouble around turns so I figure putting them on the front will give me better traction around icy turns. Also, someone suggest I drive in 4x4 mode. Which differential lock should I use, low or high? I put it in low on the way back, and it seemed to help. I'm just wondering if that's the best for snowy roads and how fast can you go in 4x4 modes. Please help if you have experience driving Rovers in the snow!!!!!!!! PS... SNOWBOARDING YESTERDAY WAS AWWWWWESOME!

 

[joey]

First what type of tires are you running? Have you ever driven in snow before? You say even slow you were sliding, how fast do you concider slow?

I have driven my rover on some very nasty snow covered roads without issue and without being in Diff lock.

You can drive in Diff lock as fast and as far as you want to, but keep in mind the terrain must be slick enough to allow for wheel spin or you will buying a new transfer case at minimum.

Driving on ice no matter what you are driving can be fun to say the least. It will not matter if you put chains on or not, ice is just about impossible to steer or stop on without studs in your tires. And even then you still have to drive with caution.

Chains if needed (I have never used chains, haven't found a need yet) on an AWD vehicle would be best on the steering tires so you can at least steer when gas is applied. But remember braking is another story.

 

[strider]

That's why you see lot's of 4x4's in the ditch. When you lock the diff you get wheel spin in corners, which means that wheel has just lost all traction. You should never lock your diff when traveling on snow or ice surfaces. Use it only when you are stuck or in deep mud or snow traveling slow.

 

[joey]

Not to argue your point, but the reason you see 4x4's in the ditch is because they either can't drive or they have mud tires on in snow...

 

[DirtyDisco]

Okay thanks for the tips. I was definetely going a little too fast for the slippery road. So differential lock isn't needed, or would it help? If I use it should it be in "Low"?

 

[joey]

Diff lock will help if you are driving on a completly snow covered road (i.e. before the plow starts to clear things) otherwise it will not help much, but can hurt the transfer case if you get too much traction.

You can use diff lock in high or low range, it depends more on the road conditions or if you are off road.

 

[roverman]

If you notice, the ditches that they are in are usually at the bottom of hills. People have a tendency to think that 4X4's stop better than regular cars. Often it is completely the opposite. I have a friend that lives in the Rockies and if it snows will choose his Saab over his Disco to get to the resorts because it handles so much better.....
I can't tell you how big of a difference a real snow tire makes. Even on ice it is a big improvement. The only caveat is sometimes they give you too much confidence. If you live in the mountains, I'd consider a snow tire - like Nokian - with studs.

 

[joey]

I agree with you on that... Roverman.

 

[strider]

If you notice, the ditches that they are in are usually at the bottom of hills. People have a tendency to think that 4X4's stop better than regular cars. Often it is completely the opposite. I have a friend that lives in the Rockies and if it snows will choose his Saab over his Disco to get to the resorts because it handles so much better.....
I can't tell you how big of a difference a real snow tire makes. Even on ice it is a big improvement. The only caveat is sometimes they give you too much confidence. If you live in the mountains, I'd consider a snow tire - like Nokian - with studs.

I agree completely that tires are very important. What I was refering to was that when your axles are locked you get slip on your wheels when you are cornering. This causes people to loose control as you loose traction on the slipping wheel. It's just something to be aware of when you own a 4X4.

Joe

 

[joey]

Strider, please forgive me if is sounds like I am argueing.... not my intention.

If you 4x4 has locking front or rear diff's I would agree with you 100%, but at least in the case of a stock Disco, locking the center diff still allows for wheel sping (D1), in a D2 the computer (stock) controls wheel spin and acts as the center diff or even front and rear diffs (using ABS) to keep wheel spin to a minimal.