Drive mode for light snow, slippery conditions (non-Raptor/4A)

[skytrucker]

I’ve read a lot about drive modes lately, and 4H applications. I’m interested, what mode/ 4X4 configuration are you using for light snow, or moderately slippery road conditions??

spring turned backed to winter in Chicago this week, after rain, turned icey, to snow, my Monday commute was sketchy in normal/2H, but maybe not slick enough for full-time 4H. Gentle driving and 50mph on the freeway felt fine, until rolling into a sweeping corner and it felt like the tailgate was going to come round the front! Then the unplowed side streets made for tire spinning and side sliding shenanigans at every start…
what I really wanted was an All Wheel Drive/4 auto system….and some decent tires…
So much so that it got me thinking…did I make a huge mistake?? Should I trade my 3month old, 3000mile Lariat for a Raptor? (Mostly JUST for a 4A t-case) Or more realistically, the few times a year I’m in that situation, what’s the best config for the drive train?? Thanks!

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[Ron Quixote]

You did not make a mistake. The stock Territory HTs are not known as a great snow tire because the M + S rating is technically meaningless (all marketing).

A set of 3PMSF rated tires will totally change the way your truck feels in the snow. I live in a snowy area and can confirm the difference. In snow, I use 4H quite a bit as long as I’m not driving on exposed pavement. For varied conditions, I find that Eco Mode + good tires feels great.

 

[stemplar]

I’ve read a lot about drive modes lately, and 4H applications. I’m interested, what mode/ 4X4 configuration are you using for light snow, or moderately slippery road conditions??

spring turned backed to winter in Chicago this week, after rain, turned icey, to snow, my Monday commute was sketchy in normal/2H, but maybe not slick enough for full-time 4H. Gentle driving and 50mph on the freeway felt fine, until rolling into a sweeping corner and it felt like the tailgate was going to come round the front! Then the unplowed side streets made for tire spinning and side sliding shenanigans at every start…
what I really wanted was an All Wheel Drive/4 auto system….and some decent tires…
So much so that it got me thinking…did I make a huge mistake?? Should I trade my 3month old, 3000mile Lariat for a Raptor? (Mostly JUST for a 4A t-case) Or more realistically, the few times a year I’m in that situation, what’s the best config for the drive train?? Thanks!

I really believe the best thing you can do with any vehicle is to buy good snow tires. I've driven a rwd diesel benz for decades and driven through New England blizzards and heavy snow a lot without problems. With my lariat fx4 I have snow tires mounted and occasionally used the Slippery mode but immediately put it back to 2wd; i'm not convinced this did much but maybe it made the wheel-slip sensors more aggressive in detecting or correcting wheel spin. Some weight in the bed also helps, but with our large cabs and short beds weight distribution is already around 60/40 so it's not terrible.

EDIT: I'll add that my spring-fall tires are Nokian Outpost nAT which TyreReviews website and youtube channel tested as the best AT tire for winter conditions, and my average snow tires (I'm being kind calling my Michelin X-Ice Snows as "average") are noticeably far, far better than the Outposts in snow/slush/ice conditions. Nothing beats a good snow tire.

 

[CaptAngry]

It is a pickup truck. 4WD in the snow or be prepared for sliding. It is rear wheel drive and physics. You aren't going to kill your drivetrain if the pavement isn't ice skating rink-slick

Better tires make a huge difference. Weight helps in a straight line but can be worse if you get sideways.

 

[Ron Quixote]

Nothing beats a good snow tire.

This is true. When we lived in Chicago 20 years ago, we ran dedicated Blizzaks in the winter, and Blizzak have gotten a lot better since then. The advances in tread materials really are remarkable.

In my current situation, we do get a lot of snow but it melts fast because we’re in a sunny climate. Plus, I WFH, so I have often have the luxury of just not going out. 3PMSF tires have been adequate for my needs, and are head and shoulders above basic M+S.

 

[kkger]

It started snowing here and I started to slide around i just kicked it into 4H. Got to where I was going and put it back in 2H because probably be fine when I went to drive again. If you start slipping don't be afraid to kick it into 4H that's a perfect use case for 4H. Stock tires and no more slipping, just can't stop but ill go like hell.

 

[skytrucker]

… You aren't going to kill your drivetrain if the pavement isn't ice skating rink-slick

That’s sort of what I need to hear! I’m no stranger to 4x4’s, but I’ve heard a lot of “you’ll shoot your eye out” when it comes to THIS 4x4- and I haven’t had a part time system in a long time….so wasn’t sure of the self destruct settings on it…
That and tires, for sure…thinking I’ll wear the bad-year’s out this summer and get some proper tires before next winter..,

thanks guys!! *walks slowly from the cliff…*

 

[Jason B]

And know that you can switch to or from 4x4 at any time, you don't have to stop. It's "shift on the fly".
Sometimes on rainy days I'll switch to 4x4 on the drive home, just to be sure it will work when I need it.

 

[bobclarkenorway]

Here in Norway during winter I always have weight in the bed.
A couple of small block chevy heads keep your front and rear in the right order.

 

[NHGregL]

I’ve read a lot about drive modes lately, and 4H applications. I’m interested, what mode/ 4X4 configuration are you using for light snow, or moderately slippery road conditions??

spring turned backed to winter in Chicago this week, after rain, turned icey, to snow, my Monday commute was sketchy in normal/2H, but maybe not slick enough for full-time 4H. Gentle driving and 50mph on the freeway felt fine, until rolling into a sweeping corner and it felt like the tailgate was going to come round the front! Then the unplowed side streets made for tire spinning and side sliding shenanigans at every start…
what I really wanted was an All Wheel Drive/4 auto system….and some decent tires…
So much so that it got me thinking…did I make a huge mistake?? Should I trade my 3month old, 3000mile Lariat for a Raptor? (Mostly JUST for a 4A t-case) Or more realistically, the few times a year I’m in that situation, what’s the best config for the drive train?? Thanks!

bought my 2024 Ranger XLT last March and was somewhat worried I guess with winter driving here in NH. I ended up putting some weight over rear axle ( 4x 60LB sandbags in a bucket strapped down) . Between that and driving in Slippery mode when it was sketchy on the roads it did great. Once or twice I was in 4H just to get up my driveway otherwise Slippery mode seemed to help a lot. and Winter here this year was a challenge

 

[BML]

Agree with all of the above feedback. I live in VT and am a ski instructor so always drive in the “worst” conditions. Unless you’re climbing or coming down steep hills 2wd drive in Eco mode with snows are all you need. For really bad days and or rutted frozen snow covered poorly graded dirt put in 4H as described. Truck will handle fine, esp if as others noted you have a couple sand bags over rear wheel wells

 

[RoysRanger]

I’ve read a lot about drive modes lately, and 4H applications. I’m interested, what mode/ 4X4 configuration are you using for light snow, or moderately slippery road conditions??

spring turned backed to winter in Chicago this week, after rain, turned icey, to snow, my Monday commute was sketchy in normal/2H, but maybe not slick enough for full-time 4H. Gentle driving and 50mph on the freeway felt fine, until rolling into a sweeping corner and it felt like the tailgate was going to come round the front! Then the unplowed side streets made for tire spinning and side sliding shenanigans at every start…
what I really wanted was an All Wheel Drive/4 auto system….and some decent tires…
So much so that it got me thinking…did I make a huge mistake?? Should I trade my 3month old, 3000mile Lariat for a Raptor? (Mostly JUST for a 4A t-case) Or more realistically, the few times a year I’m in that situation, what’s the best config for the drive train?? Thanks!

I drive a '25 Lariat and always put proper snow tires on when winter arrives. I run Michelin XIce and use 4H fairly often, we live in a very snowy area of Ontario, Canada. Never had an issue with traction on all my F150s and this winter with the Ranger Lariat.

 

[CaptAngry]

I don't understand people's aversion to using the hardware they paid for on their vehicles. You have 4WD, use 4WD. You aren't being a tough guy because you can "drive in 2WD in the snow". I have pulled so many people out of ditches in the mountains of Colorado...

If you have a 2WD because you either live somewhere that it snows 1x a decade, or simply couldn't afford it: use what you have. But use the tools you have available to you.

/rant: off

 

[stemplar]

Here in Norway during winter I always have weight in the bed.
A couple of small block chevy heads keep your front and rear in the right order.

Hauling dead chevy parts in your Ford as ballast is rather poetic; I love it.

 

[Ron Quixote]

I don't understand people's aversion to using the hardware they paid for on their vehicles. You have 4WD, use 4WD. You aren't being a tough guy because you can "drive in 2WD in the snow". I have pulled so many people out of ditches in the mountains of Colorado.

LOL, right? I wheel with some guys who are super proud to have done a challenging trail in 2WD, like it’s some kind of contest or something. Meanwhile, they’re beating the shit out of their rear axles by spinning tires unnecessarily all over the place.

I’m like

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