Driving in the Winter Snow. (Denver, Parker: work, invest, company)

[INPHX]

Okay, so I need some advice. We moved to Parker in July from Phoenix and every time it snows I am having difficulty with my truck. I drive a Chevy Tahoe with a 20" wheel and all season tires. My truck looks like the new Denali's that come with a larger wheel. Not huge tires just enough to feel up the wheel well. Let me give a little back ground first. I am a mom with two little ones with me most of all the time, so I drive extremely slow especially in the snow. I had my tires check out by Discount tire in Parker they stated my tires should be fine. Now here is the problem. Something wrong either the tires or the brakes. Every time I stop driving at about 5 MPH my breaks grind and seem to be locking up and then the peddle depress to the floor especially if I am going down any kind of a little hill. Almost like I have no breaks. Now I have 3 options to drive in besides 2 HI. I have 4 AWD, 4 HI, 4 Lo. I started out in 4 AWD thinking okay some roads are worse than others my truck will automotaically kick in the AWD when needed. Then on a cold snowy day, my breaks went grinding my axle felt like it was ready to be ripped out and barely missing two other cars figured okay that's not working. So by advice of my neighbor who has lived here 12 years I switched to 4 Hi. Seems to work but still even if the snow just barely started falling because the temps are low my breaks seem to go grinding (the truck was not in 4 Hi but snow just started to fall, so saw no reason to go 4 HI yet). Is this happing because there is not enough traction on my all season tire? My breaks where just changed in July. Is this the ABS system, if so I am still not really stopping. My husbands AWD Honda pilot drive way better in the snow than my Tahoe, what is wrong with this picture.

[vegaspilgrim]

The "grinding" noise is definitely your anti-lock brake system. You have to slow down extremely gradually or you'll start sliding. ABS is a good thing to have, but you don't want to "rely" on it. Don't say I told you this, but if there's no other cars around and your 100% sure it's safe, just do a "California" stop, if possible, rather than coming to a complete stop (and sliding) and sliding again when you start up again.

[pcollins22]

It shouldnt be the tires.

Have your brake lines and pads checked again. With your pedal going all the way to the floor that is usually a sign of having air in the brake lines, which means you need them drained and re-filled, properly of course. This could lead to the brakes not getting any brake fluid, hence the grinding noise.

Just my thought, get it checked it though.

[vfrpilot]

That's your anti-lock brake system. When the tires loss traction(slide) the pressure in the brake system is released. If you are on a long sheet of ice, your brakes will keep releasing, giving the feel of no brakes, and making stopping difficult. Test the system in an icy empty parking lot with lots of room. Apply brakes without letting up. You will feel the system modulate the pressure automatically. Whether you select 2-wheel, AWD, or 4-wheel doesn't matter when you're braking.

ABS is a good thing to have, but you don't want to "rely" on it.

This is great advice. Slow early because it seems that more ice forms around intersections. As far as the Tahoe vs Pilot comparison, we used to drive a Suburban(a long Tahoe) and now have an Acura MDX(basically a fancy Pilot). The MDX seems to handle snow better than the Suburban did. Maybe it cause the MDX is lighter and primarily front wheel drive.

[COflower]

I don't know if MasterDrive is up there, but I highly, highly recommend that people new to winter driving take their winter driving courses.

The owner started his company after his daughter (my age) died in high school when a drunk driver plowed into her and her friend. She's didn't survive the crash.

Anyhow, Ron also works (worked) with various police departments and the state patrol to teach police officers as well. If the don't have a Denver location, I highly recommend you come to C Springs to take their classes. When I worked with them for the teens vs. cops at a Pikes Peak Hill Climb thing back in the late 80s, I learned soooo much from one of their instructors. I have always been a good driver but the knowledge I got from them will never escape me.

I admit I should take a couple of their courses even though I've been driving in winter weather for the better part of 23 - almost 24 years. Even seasoned drivers need to learn.

[INPHX]

Originally Posted by vfrpilot

As far as the Tahoe vs Pilot comparison, we used to drive a Suburban(a long Tahoe) and now have an Acura MDX(basically a fancy Pilot). The MDX seems to handle snow better than the Suburban did. Maybe it cause the MDX is lighter and primarily front wheel drive.

I agree, It must be the FWD . Thanks for the advice.

[GEEKAFIED]

I would so have me four studded snow tires rather than all seasons on that baby, and if brakes seem to be causing you to lock up or slide, put it in nuetral to keep the motor from pulling you as you come to your stop.
I would definately have that grinding checked into though, that would be scary. Also keep in mind that a fat tire slides more than a thin tire. The wider the tire the more it tends to make the rig ski across the snow as opposed to cutting through it.

[Pippin]

Don't live in CO, but New England, so I do know a little about snow and ice. As others have stated, what you describe sounds like your ABS system. Essentially, when it's very slick or icey out any time you slow down, speed up, turn, etc you need to do everything in slow motion. No quick stops. No quick turns. No quick acceleration. The only other thing you can do that might potentially help is to invest in a good set of snow tires. I don't know whether tires with studs are legal in CO, if so that might be your best bet. (They're illegal back east, so I don't have any firsthand experience). However, I do own a full set of Blizzack tires for my Mazda Miata. If you think it's tough driving an AWD SUV in snow, you should try a light, rear wheel drive sports car with standard issue tires. Blizzacks make a huge difference.

[Charles]

Can studs be applied to studdable snow tire if the snow tires have already been driven about 1000 miles?

[vegaspilgrim]

Originally Posted by COflower

I don't know if MasterDrive is up there, but I highly, highly recommend that people new to winter driving take their winter driving courses.

Yes-- there's one on Jordan Rd just north of Parker. That's actually where I learned how to drive. I vouch for them too!