Edit:

Changed my mind, it's not worth the argument.

 

Video 3 explains it quite well. But I would add that the type of tires makes an even bigger difference. If I lived in snow country, I'd most definitely have a set of winter tires mounted on separate rims that I could switch to for the 4 months or so when snow is likely.

Here's one chart (one of a gazillion, I'm sure) that illustrates the relative difference between dry and wet roads versus snow covered roads with 'all season' versus dedicated winter tires....

 

1 wheel drive ? As in open differential ?

 

I'm not buying it. Without going into the physics, send it over to myth busters. I'm not going to argue, but if the brakes are set up correctly, all that matters on the stopping is that whether it is 2 wheels or 4 the brakes have nothing to do with the the drive train. If the 4wd does stop consistently faster, we need to get some engineers involved.

 

I thought about this some more. Follow this: He is in two wheel drive. Then takes his foot off the gas. So, instantly that engine compression slows the back two tires. Quickly all four tires are stopping. In the four wheel drive as soon as he takes his foot off the gas all four tires are braking from the engine. It all adds up there is a reason. So remember next time you are in 4wd, make sure you leave it in 2nd care so you too can stop more quickly.

 

I"m not buying it either. Maybe it helps 4wd lock up, it appears the wheels do lock up faster, but then when that happens you lose directional control too, and some steering control comes in handy at times i imagine. unless of course your plan is to continue a straight line path and lock 'em up and hope for the best each time?

Repeat the test, same drivers, same brake times, and test dry, wet, snow, gravel, etc. Use the same ****ing vehicle for cripes sakes. 2 different year vehicles with who knows what for brakes and ABS. and it's a sample size of what? 1? That settles it LOL

regardless of the test, give me dedicated snow tires over anything for snow covered roads.

 

Yup, snow tires will give better traction starting and stopping on ice. Indisputable.

 

Yep - My point was that 70 mph on whatever surface isn't a big deal, under the right circumstances. Funny how I see folks going backwards into the ditch at half that speed though.
A person with a good feel for vehicle control is safer and more in control at 70 than a ham fisted rube is a 35 mph.

 

This in bold^^^!!!!
Having a sense of how your truck or car reacts and how you react in certain conditions is the difference.
This can be found out by driving around your snow covered neighborhood or a snow covered back road, business park etc. See how your vehicle reacts in accelerating, braking and turning and how you will react.
Most people don't do this. They buy a 4 wheel drive or AWD and think all is good and they can drive it like it's on a dry road because they have the 4x4/AWD.

 

Engine braking is OK, and it will help slow you down, but it won't stop you. Still gotta use the brakes for that and they work the same in 4X4 as 4X2.

The videos and the titles are misleading.