Chionophobia: Intense fear of snow

This will be my first winter in the Chicagoland area and I have zero experience driving in snow/ice/slush whatsoever. I have family members throwing out random bits of advice, but I thought this would be a good place to get some help.

I have a 2019 Off Road with KO2s. Any input, whether it applies specifically to the truck's capabilities or simply general tips/tricks appreciated.

 

I grew up in Chardon Ohio, 2 feet of snow in one night was normal. I drove a rear wheel drive chevy s10 every day. It can be done.

Give yourself distance. Dont slam on your breaks. Down shift to engine brake instead. And add some weight to the bed of your truck. Maybe 300lbs of sand bags. Other than that, dont be that guy driving around with your flashers on. And if you just arent comfort driving certain days, dont. Its the people speeding, AND going too slow that make it dangerous. 4 wheel drive doesnt mean shit when its icey.

 

Weight in the bed. Put like 200lbs over the axel

 

Add weight to the ass end, sandbags are a go to for many.
Leave extra space for stopping, use caution on bridges/overpasses.

 

Go drive around in a parking lot and figure some stuff out before you hit any major roads.

 

I’ve heard good and bad experiences with KO2s in snow. I think they’ll be fine. Down here in nc we get more ice then snow so KO2s are not the way to go unless you get tons of snow

 

Once it snows or a morning everything is iced over go find a large empty parking lot and push the limits of your truck and see how it reacts when there is nothing else around to hit. Always pay attention to the temperature outside, you'll probably find that when its really cold 15-20 degrees things are not that slick but around 32 degrees the roads are super slick! The best and really only way to learn is time in the seat so just start slow and remember it could take a really long time to get stopped. Added weight in the bed could help with traction a bit. Also I'm not advocating to run low air pressure driving on the street but make sure your not overinflated or you might as well have bald tires!

 

^^^^ This and what other have said.

Find a nice big parking lot after a good snow fall and just play, figure 8's, stopping, accelerating, etc. So you get a feel for how the truck and your driving habits react.

 

A lot of good advice here, as a professional driver one thing that most non drivers miss about stopping in the snow and ice is this if you are approaching a stop make sure you are going slow, but if it still feels like you are in trouble get your vehicle in neutral as quick as you can. Without the truck pushing you your ability to come to a stop will increase dramatically. That is the way Garbage men are able to stop our trucks on hills with glare ice and service our customers. To me this is a worst case technique however it is very effective.

 

Thank you!!! Have a rough recommendation for tire pressure?

 

Awesome, thanks! Folks keep telling me to use cat litter. I was thinking more along the lines of some gravel or sand.. cheap and possibly helpful for some grab if (when...) I end up stuck somewhere. Any thoughts on that?

 

There are several threads on air pressure here, do a search and you will get lots of good info. All our trucks are not the same weight and what tire/load range makes a huge difference too. I run around 28 front 22 rear in the winter but my 1st gen is light with load range E 33's. You will need more air than that.

 

I don't air down typically unless deep snow where I want more "float" than "cut". Ice and plowed road, direct on point contact typically = better traction. The whole skinny vs wide tire thing.

 

Cat litter might work a little better for getting unstuck but sand is way cheaper

 

Most gas stations will sell 50 lbs sandbags in the winter they are cheap and easy. You can also go to a feed and tack store and get bags and fill them yourself. cat liter is cheap I keep a container of cat liter in all my vehicles. Not always the best idea to use the weight you may need to get you out of a bad spot.

 

My mechanic, when I was 19, told me about the neutral thing and the weight of your drivetrain slows things down. I miss the snow. A lot. When I was a kid I had an Audi Quattro (85 4KQ). It was amazing, it used to take me so much time to get home from work after a big snow because I’d be out playing in it. Passing snowplows, donuts in parking lots, and just seeing how deep of snow I could run through. When the snow is over the hood, it was no good. Slow down. Be aware of other drivers.

 

Start with the basics.

Learn in 2WD first.
accelerate easy
very very very gentle on brakes
learn how to countersteer
Begin in an empty parking lot. Mind the light posts. They can really F'up a door. DAMHIKT

Remember, a spinning or sliding tire means no traction.

 

First snow storm, get out there and play with your Taco. Stick it in 4hi and you'll be fine.

You may become a winter person.......

 

I use a dedicated set of studded winter tires,cheap insurance. Chains if it's really crappy but that's usually on heavy snow covered back roads. Just take your time and keep a safe distance from other drivers,sometimes brakes are not your friend.
VSC sucks when you want to play in the snow.

 

Fyi, a carpet floor mat can get you unstuck really easily in snow.