Iced over roads- Settings for traveling in such

[Rupert]

OK, here in Texas we are expecting some serious ice storms over and through the weekend. Does anyone have any suggestions on the settings while traveling in these conditions? I know the obvious one is to "Just stay home", but I am the only testosterone in the family (besides a neutered dog), so inevitably I am required to run errands, go to the liquor store, pick up toilet paper, etc. All that being said, would you suggest center diff locked in High, or something else? We may have some snow but sleet and freezing rain are the expectation for now. I would drop tire pressure down to 25 maybe if in agreement.

Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[ADVAW8S]

I think everyone has a different philosophy. Mine is lower tire pressure, center lock low. Your staying local and going slow so low works great.

 

[Rupert]

I think everyone has a different philosophy. Mine is lower tire pressure, center lock low. Your staying local and going slow so low works great.

Excellent, thank you very much for your help.

 

[The_Ick]

Definitely center lock. IF you still have stock tires they are 3 peaks rated which really helps. You may find that low gear will spin the tires with too much torque. You can play with high/low to see what works best. Just keep the speed way down.

 

[Braxo]

Most likely you won't need to adjust anything if you're going to be on roads. Just make sure to have a blanket and box of granola bars.

But remember, even though your vehicle may be capable, that doesn't mean the Chevy Cruze in front of you is and if they get stuck and the cars around you get stuck that means you're stuck too.

I'm in Buffalo and we've had more than a handful of storms where people had to stay in their car for 24 hours plus on the thruways because the folks around them got stuck.

 

[Rupert]

Most likely you won't need to adjust anything if you're going to be on roads. Just make sure to have a blanket and box of granola bars.

But remember, even though your vehicle may be capable, that doesn't mean the Chevy Cruze in front of you is and if they get stuck and the cars around you get stuck that means you're stuck too.

I'm in Buffalo and we've had more than a handful of storms where people had to stay in their car for 24 hours plus on the thruways because the folks around them got stuck.

Well, that would totally suck to live in a car that only has 230 miles of range with a full tank. I am sure it idles at 1/2 gallon an hour.....Great suggestion though. I wonder if I would get charged with open container if I kept a bottle of Schnapp's in there "Just in Case"!!

 

[Krabby]

Well, that would totally suck to live in a car that only has 230 miles of range with a full tank. I am sure it idles at 1/2 gallon an hour.....Great suggestion though. I wonder if I would get charged with open container if I kept a bottle of Schnapp's in there "Just in Case"!!

The way around the open container is to get a St. Bernard and give him the whiskey cask collar. Cops never check there.

 

[landmannnn]

The other benefit of CDL engaged apart from traction is that brakes are effectively 50:50 front and rear.
The normal 70:30 (when unlocked) isn't ideal on snow and ice as it promotes front wheel lock up under braking.

 

[Logsplitter]

Definitely center lock. IF you still have stock tires they are 3 peaks rated which really helps. You may find that low gear will spin the tires with too much torque. You can play with high/low to see what works best. Just keep the speed way down.

Agreed and everyone to their own though. I definitely wouldn’t be using low ratio in slippery conditions if I could help it. I find higher gears reduce wheel spin especially when initially pulling away.

 

[The_Ick]

The other benefit of CDL engaged apart from traction is that brakes are effectively 50:50 front and rear.
The normal 70:30 (when unlocked) isn't ideal on snow and ice as it promotes front wheel lock up under braking.

Does it actually change the brake bias when the center is locked?

 

[ADVAW8S]

Agreed and everyone to their own though. I definitely wouldn’t be using low ratio in slippery conditions if I could help it. I find higher gears reduce wheel spin especially when initially pulling away.

I find running manual is way to go when it is its slippery. Growing up in Northeast, I was taught low rpm and use your shifter. Like most of us, grew up with stick shift.

 

[landmannnn]

Does it actually change the brake bias when the center is locked?

No.
With the CDL engaged both front and rear diffs are connected. This means that when you brake the front axle, it also brakes the rear axle.