rivercrazy

Up until now, I've lived my whole life in Southern California. My wife and I recently moved to North Utah. Haven't driven much in the snow and its starting to come down.

My wife's ZJ has full-time 4WD, which makes it easier for her. My XJ has a NP231 with part-time only 4WD.

Should I leave it in PT 4H as long as there's snow on the ground?

Any tips for driving in the snow.

89eliminator

yup, you can leave the 231 in 4 hi if its slippery out. but when you get to dry pavement, switch to 2 hi.

tips, go slow on turns, avoid ditches, if the back end starts sliding, turn the wheels into the slide.

builtnotbought89'

When I was alway driving my xj I just left it in 2wd un less the roads were getting really hairy they just drop it into PT! That's how I've always done it!?!?

aircruiser

ive done the same with leaving it in 2wd. i only used 4hi when starting out on slippery surfaces cause i hate letting out the clutch, having the tires spin and then having them grab..just doesnt do the rear end any good. do exactly what 89eliminator has said and you will be fine.

like the saying goes, just because you can get going faster than the rest does not mean you can stop faster than the rest. be really easy stopping and if your brakes lock up, just pump them if you dont have abs.

slower is better but what you will really love about snow is drifting in empty parking lots, parking in parking spots plowed in that others cant get to, and pulling people out of the ditches and making tips.

rivercrazy

Sweet. I was wondering about the breaks thing. I drove my wifes ZJ the other day and the ABS kicked in which freaked me out cause I had never felt it do that before. My XJ has no ABS so that should be fun!

Swamp Donkey

But also you wanna remember on ice and snow, if you start sliding according to your speed, hittin the brakes can be the worse thing you can do!. Be respectful to hills and curves. always keep a slow speed going down a hill cause around here there is usually always traffic and people in the ditches after it snows, go slowly and gracefully hit your brakes if you need to slow down some coming down a hill. Always keep your momentium up when going up a hill. And like stated above, whichever way the ***-end of your vehicle starts spinning thats the way you wanna turn, in most circumstances anyways.

Also, keep your distance from the cars in front of you, especially when going up a hill, same goes for going down as well. you drive the speed you feel comfortable at, if people are catching up behind you, dont speed up because of them! Some people dont take in consideration of the roads and hazards.

zjrog

Seriously brotherman, find an empty parking lot and get a feel for your slides and brakes... Watch the light poles though!! Where you at?

rivercrazy

Yah, I'll probably do that tomorrow (day off). I'm up by Ogden/Layton.

builtnotbought89'

Also u can throw a few bags of salt in the back to help add wait unless ur like me & the back is already filled with tools! Lol

aircruiser

yeah and take it easy over bridges..they are always the first to freeze

rivercrazy

I thought all the dirt in the back might be enough, but salt is a good idea. Plus, it tastes way better! lol

Yah, I noticed the signs out here. Thanks!

builtnotbought89'

not table salt! Salt like the plows lay down to deice the roads! Lmao Pick up like 5-6 bags from walmart & leave them in the truck & use it as needed to melt the ice on ur sidewalk & driveway!

rivercrazy

So you're not supposed to eat the stuff they put on the roads?!?!

builtnotbought89'

What ever floats ur boat? Lol

NewXJaddict

Don't drive an 87 Camaro with bald tires in the snow. I learned that the hard way. Luckily no one was really on the road and no one got hurt and the car was fine. But I ended up doing about 4 really slow spins across the 4 lane highway.