Every dog has its day, they say - surely the much-maligned, much-taxed, much-hated even, 4x4 is having its day right now in the current weather conditions. I have never seen so many 4x4s rescuing "ordinary" cars as I have seen this week and of course they have been perfectly suited to deal with the appalling conditions. Perhaps it's not such a bad idea to own one after all?? Aahh no, tax 'em into oblivion!!!
Let's hear it for the 4x4?
- Thread starter Colinn
- Start date
Alas Colinn
I haven't had to be rescued in my car. We only had snow yesterday (thursday) yipee.
But know to practice hand brake stops:-(
I had no problem driving at all. But the 4x4 infront of me this morning was crawling at 20, causing the biggest queue.
I haven't had to be rescued in my car. We only had snow yesterday (thursday) yipee.
But know to practice hand brake stops:-(
I had no problem driving at all. But the 4x4 infront of me this morning was crawling at 20, causing the biggest queue.
Yes, you've rumbled me Chrisbee - I am one of the great unwashed...! I have a 4x4 and a slippery two-wheel drive - and I know which one is superior - snow or no snow. But what a price we are paying...!
i was stuck in the snow a few days back ,thinking i wouldnt get home for an hour , then i turned off towards a hill that no one dare drive up , so i put it in 4 wheel drive and kept the revs low ,people even stood and watched as i sailed up the hill and i was home in 5 mins , i was glad i didnt take the 2 drive that day
Now you've found out what it's realy for you'l be ready for the next lot of snow in 18 years time.
Hope it didn't get dirty.
I don't have a 4x4 had you guessed ! chuckle chuckle ;0)
Hope it didn't get dirty.
I don't have a 4x4 had you guessed ! chuckle chuckle ;0)
I won't need to wait anything like 18 years Thorpedo - just the next time I get behind the wheel will do...! (chuckle, chuckle!)
i have lived in swansea for 6 years ,and this is the 3rd time we have had snow , so not all parts get it at 18 years , and one year i spent a week in hereford at lucksall caravan park and we had snow in march thats 4 lots , and the christmas before last travelling through the pyrinees in France going to Barcelona we had snow so 5 counts in 5 years i would say its well used
Colinn
I live about 7 miles from Haldon Hill near Exeter where 100's of cars were stuck last night in 12 inches. We only had an inch and was gone by 7:30 am. Last time we had an inch was about 12 years ago and I managed to get 200 yds down the rd, slid into the kirb bending a wheel and a disc.
Not quite so chuckle chuckle then i'm afraid.
Mind you I pay the same extortionate
I live about 7 miles from Haldon Hill near Exeter where 100's of cars were stuck last night in 12 inches. We only had an inch and was gone by 7:30 am. Last time we had an inch was about 12 years ago and I managed to get 200 yds down the rd, slid into the kirb bending a wheel and a disc.
Not quite so chuckle chuckle then i'm afraid.
Mind you I pay the same extortionate
As neigbours struggled on the ice and snow I nipped over deep snowy kerb and grass island at the end of our road to go and help some elderly friends as their electric had gone off and they had no heating.
Towed three neighbors up the hilly lane to our road in the evening. Nosy Toyota Pius driving neighbours who ***** about everything "parked" it nose first in a hedge.
Laugh? Did I offer a hand? Am I bovvered?
"chuckle chuckle chuckle"
Towed three neighbors up the hilly lane to our road in the evening. Nosy Toyota Pius driving neighbours who ***** about everything "parked" it nose first in a hedge.
Laugh? Did I offer a hand? Am I bovvered?
"chuckle chuckle chuckle"
I agrre it's great owning a 4x4 in this weather, having said that it didn't help the pratt that roared over the top of a 1 in 5 hill down the road from me,at 40mph. He sailed sraight through the T junction at the bottom, narrowly missing one of the few cars on the main road. 4 wheels may make you go better, but they still cant stop you sliding on 8" of snow when you lock up the brakes.
Steve W
Steve W
4 X 4s yes great at dealing with the current weather conditions when moving. I spend many hours each week in my humble rear wheel drive car. I have witnessed many 4x4s in the fast lane of the M4, M3 and M27 this week when no one else would attempt it. It has to be said that 4 x 4s certainly have their place, their traction in these conditions allow them to plow through drifts at high speed without a care. Unfortunately my experience is the drivers have little concern for others, creating terrible spray, swapping lanes when not appropriate and at speed, but probably my greatest concern is that the drivers don't seem to realise that they will have to stop eventually and they're no better at that than a 2 wheel drive. I have witnessed several cars being shunted by 4 x 4 s.
any car can be driven in snow conditions , so long as the driver is capable. (Probably why so many X5's and Cayennes were stranded at the road side in Chelsea this week HA! HA! HA!).
During the last 'big snow!' 18 years ago my MG Montego was very capable.
Having said that , my Disco3 was the dogs danglies and even youthful exuberance on the works car park failed to get it all squirly. That cant be said for my Desktop Support Managers BMW 635 which he choose to leave at work for a few days. It might look cool with the top down in summer , but snow covered doesn't quite do it!!
During the last 'big snow!' 18 years ago my MG Montego was very capable.
Having said that , my Disco3 was the dogs danglies and even youthful exuberance on the works car park failed to get it all squirly. That cant be said for my Desktop Support Managers BMW 635 which he choose to leave at work for a few days. It might look cool with the top down in summer , but snow covered doesn't quite do it!!
Interesting thread,Not too bothered what anyone owns or wants to drive really,but it appears experience is no ones strong point,if one only relies on the accepted principle of more traction from 4 wheels doing the driving! personally all I do is drop my tyre pressures from the normal 40 psi,to 23 psi for my 5 mile journey!
It makes one hell of a difference in these conditions!
But then even if I had a 4x4 I would do the same anyway!
It makes one hell of a difference in these conditions!
But then even if I had a 4x4 I would do the same anyway!
Wouldn't dropping tyre pressure by so much put you on a sticky wicket regarding insurance in the event of a claim and also the boys in blue?
In my case, No, why would it? All the info about my tyres are there in front of anyone who would want to check, and more importantly know what they were doing,as my vehicle would be there too, then using the weight of my vehicle its tyre loading index, i'm sure I would be fine.But even if not, would it not be better to be safer than not? Lower tyre pressures in snow is a good idea,as long as you don't believe that still gives you a right to travel at 70 mph.
Thing is that everyone and his dog likes to give the 4x4 a good kicking - gas guzzling, causing global warming (now there's a thing, you might say, as you half freeze to death!!), too big, too extravagant, etc, blah, blah...
But times like this show that the 4x4 is a more complete vehicle in all driving conditions, and those that drive them are simply more enlightened, more responsible and better prepared for all eventualities.
In fact, you could make a case for REDUCING costs for 4x4 drivers. After all, we are not only there for stricken drivers (and indeed caravanners) when the going gets tough, but society expects us to pay more for the privilege!
Ain't no justice in this world...!!! -o)
But times like this show that the 4x4 is a more complete vehicle in all driving conditions, and those that drive them are simply more enlightened, more responsible and better prepared for all eventualities.
In fact, you could make a case for REDUCING costs for 4x4 drivers. After all, we are not only there for stricken drivers (and indeed caravanners) when the going gets tough, but society expects us to pay more for the privilege!
Ain't no justice in this world...!!! -o)
The term 4x4 is misleading.
Are we discussing a vehicle that is based on the shape of a Landrover for example, or a vehicle with all wheel drive such as the Subaru, Jaguar and Volvo car types?
What I suspect is causing the heated discussion is the necessity for many people, who may or may not own caravans, to use the very large offroad vehicles in city streets. Ironically, it used to be perceived wisdom that you got better grip with narrow tyres rather than big wide ones. The latter tend to skate over slippery surfaces, rather than dig through it.
While some owners are able to either shout about their vehicles's capability in snow conditions, it is not likely to last too long, as the snow melts pretty fast in the UK. Then we are back where we started.
Are we discussing a vehicle that is based on the shape of a Landrover for example, or a vehicle with all wheel drive such as the Subaru, Jaguar and Volvo car types?
What I suspect is causing the heated discussion is the necessity for many people, who may or may not own caravans, to use the very large offroad vehicles in city streets. Ironically, it used to be perceived wisdom that you got better grip with narrow tyres rather than big wide ones. The latter tend to skate over slippery surfaces, rather than dig through it.
While some owners are able to either shout about their vehicles's capability in snow conditions, it is not likely to last too long, as the snow melts pretty fast in the UK. Then we are back where we started.
Rally cars always use narrow tyres in snow, i also would also increase the tyre pressure, not reduce it.
My audi quattro was a disapointment in snow, due i believe to the 245 tyres.
My son has happily taken my old xtrial of me, and left is usless rear wheel drive BMW on the drive, his words not mine.
But then the bmw has left him stranded on two occasions.
My audi quattro was a disapointment in snow, due i believe to the 245 tyres.
My son has happily taken my old xtrial of me, and left is usless rear wheel drive BMW on the drive, his words not mine.
But then the bmw has left him stranded on two occasions.
So when the ice and snow go home two wheels drive off as well as four wheels drives in the wet do they {
Funny thing we have is wifes car is no where near as economical as my four wheel drive and she's never had any silly comments made to her.
Towing I get better MPG than a lot of others, so there's nothing to gripe about.
Funny thing we have is wifes car is no where near as economical as my four wheel drive and she's never had any silly comments made to her.
Towing I get better MPG than a lot of others, so there's nothing to gripe about.
clockwork. you do not mention what vehicles your are using for a comparison. I mean if you drive say a X trail diesel, and the wife drives a mondeo 2.0l petrol, then sure I would expect the xtrail to fare pretty well.
If on the other hand you drive a shogun diesel, and are comparing it to any modern sub 2.0 litre car non auto, be it petrol or diesel then you have beaten the laws of physics.. lol lol
If on the other hand you drive a shogun diesel, and are comparing it to any modern sub 2.0 litre car non auto, be it petrol or diesel then you have beaten the laws of physics.. lol lol
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