how good/bad are new f150 in snow and winter?
12-10-2012, 10:18 PM
#81
2015 Red SCab 5.0
Red Candy also works in city snow. Actually...no problem with any surface or snowy condition. Used the 4WD switch one time.
12-10-2012, 11:49 PM
#82
Senior Member
Need to learn to drive in 4wd properly. Most can't. Do this and the truck can go through about anything. The gas pedal is your friend.....
12-11-2012, 12:59 AM
#84
I've been driving on North Dakota's winter roads for 45 years and the best combination for moderate snow and ice is a heavy front wheel drive with studded snow tires. The only thing that will stop that rig is deep snow and then 4 wheel drive is king and even better if it's chained up.
There used to be a timed race held on a local lake for any 4 wheeled vehicle, (no chains allowed) and I won it several times with a Cadillac Eldorado, it consistently beat all the four wheel drive pickups... but the snow was not over 5/6 inches, usually less.
I always have at least 600 lbs in the bed of my 150 and keep good snow tires on it in the winter. Good tires, weight, common sense (meaning light pressure on the gas and brakes) and a shovel has worked for me. It has to up here, NO triple A.
There used to be a timed race held on a local lake for any 4 wheeled vehicle, (no chains allowed) and I won it several times with a Cadillac Eldorado, it consistently beat all the four wheel drive pickups... but the snow was not over 5/6 inches, usually less.
I always have at least 600 lbs in the bed of my 150 and keep good snow tires on it in the winter. Good tires, weight, common sense (meaning light pressure on the gas and brakes) and a shovel has worked for me. It has to up here, NO triple A.
12-11-2012, 01:24 AM
#85
Senior Member
Training helps, too....
Take a look at the Bridgestone-sponsored winter driving school website:
http://www.winterdrive.com/
Lots of good tips on how to drive and survive in winter weather.
Northlight
http://www.winterdrive.com/
Lots of good tips on how to drive and survive in winter weather.
Northlight
12-11-2012, 02:05 AM
#86
When in doubt, don't hit the brakes in snow, but give it gas!
I previously owned a mid 80's Chevy 3/4 ton, then a 1997 F250 LD. Niether one compare to driving in snow with my 2011 SCrew 6-5' bed with 35's (actually I had 35" Nitto's on both of the other trucks as well so it's a good comparison). The single biggest difference is the traction control, then probably the lengths of the truck helps also. This last winter I had a bunch of my Neighbors come up to my large culdesac and they were all doing donuts with their GMCs, Older V10 Super Duty's and an old Dodge diesel. I went out later and tried the same and as hard as I tried I had a hard time forcing a total spin arounds or donuts. Then I remembered the traction control which I turned off. We'll, all I can say is that the new Ford is still way better with the traction control off (maybe it was the new tires, but I'm still thinking it had something to do with the the long length - just couldn't get the back to swing around) - so not as much fun as the old trucks - but too bad, I'll take the new Ford over the others trucks I've had any day. But as good as the Fords are, my wife drives a Audi Q5, and my boys have an Audi A4 and TT. Hands down the Audi Quattro's get around better in the snow and up the large hill into our neighborhood (for less 6-8" of snow that is). My Ford does fine up the steep hill but I have to play with the gas all the way up to keep the tires going or to prevent the traction control coming on and off (but still way better than my old trucks). But the Audi Quattro's simply zip up the hill accelerating all the way with no issues. Oh, my Infiniti FX45 stays in the garage if there is ice or snow - it's AWD as well, but it's absolutely awful in the snow (even with the snow mode), and braking is even worse. In generall
for the new Fords for driving in snow and then for the Audi's.
I previously owned a mid 80's Chevy 3/4 ton, then a 1997 F250 LD. Niether one compare to driving in snow with my 2011 SCrew 6-5' bed with 35's (actually I had 35" Nitto's on both of the other trucks as well so it's a good comparison). The single biggest difference is the traction control, then probably the lengths of the truck helps also. This last winter I had a bunch of my Neighbors come up to my large culdesac and they were all doing donuts with their GMCs, Older V10 Super Duty's and an old Dodge diesel. I went out later and tried the same and as hard as I tried I had a hard time forcing a total spin arounds or donuts. Then I remembered the traction control which I turned off. We'll, all I can say is that the new Ford is still way better with the traction control off (maybe it was the new tires, but I'm still thinking it had something to do with the the long length - just couldn't get the back to swing around) - so not as much fun as the old trucks - but too bad, I'll take the new Ford over the others trucks I've had any day. But as good as the Fords are, my wife drives a Audi Q5, and my boys have an Audi A4 and TT. Hands down the Audi Quattro's get around better in the snow and up the large hill into our neighborhood (for less 6-8" of snow that is). My Ford does fine up the steep hill but I have to play with the gas all the way up to keep the tires going or to prevent the traction control coming on and off (but still way better than my old trucks). But the Audi Quattro's simply zip up the hill accelerating all the way with no issues. Oh, my Infiniti FX45 stays in the garage if there is ice or snow - it's AWD as well, but it's absolutely awful in the snow (even with the snow mode), and braking is even worse. In generall
for the new Fords for driving in snow and then for the Audi's.
12-11-2012, 02:41 AM
#87
I tend to turn the traction control off when I'm driving in snowy conditions.....but I tend to see a lot more winter than most folks in general.
My '12 Regular cab 4x4 does just fine in the snow...as did my 09 Ranger 4x4....as did my '96 Ram 2WD.... You really just have to get out there and drive. Get used to your truck and all it's little quirks when the weather gets bad and you'll get through damn near anything....
My '12 Regular cab 4x4 does just fine in the snow...as did my 09 Ranger 4x4....as did my '96 Ram 2WD.... You really just have to get out there and drive. Get used to your truck and all it's little quirks when the weather gets bad and you'll get through damn near anything....
12-11-2012, 04:13 AM
#88
Senior Member
Originally Posted by Hofmanns4rj
When in doubt, don't hit the brakes in snow, but give it gas!
I previously owned a mid 80's Chevy 3/4 ton, then a 1997 F250 LD. Niether one compare to driving in snow with my 2011 SCrew 6-5' bed with 35's (actually I had 35" Nitto's on both of the other trucks as well so it's a good comparison). The single biggest difference is the traction control, then probably the lengths of the truck helps also. This last winter I had a bunch of my Neighbors come up to my large culdesac and they were all doing donuts with their GMCs, Older V10 Super Duty's and an old Dodge diesel. I went out later and tried the same and as hard as I tried I had a hard time forcing a total spin arounds or donuts. Then I remembered the traction control which I turned off. We'll, all I can say is that the new Ford is still way better with the traction control off (maybe it was the new tires, but I'm still thinking it had something to do with the the long length - just couldn't get the back to swing around) - so not as much fun as the old trucks - but too bad, I'll take the new Ford over the others trucks I've had any day. But as good as the Fords are, my wife drives a Audi Q5, and my boys have an Audi A4 and TT. Hands down the Audi Quattro's get around better in the snow and up the large hill into our neighborhood (for less 6-8" of snow that is). My Ford does fine up the steep hill but I have to play with the gas all the way up to keep the tires going or to prevent the traction control coming on and off (but still way better than my old trucks). But the Audi Quattro's simply zip up the hill accelerating all the way with no issues. Oh, my Infiniti FX45 stays in the garage if there is ice or snow - it's AWD as well, but it's absolutely awful in the snow (even with the snow mode), and braking is even worse. In generall for the new Fords for driving in snow and then for the Audi's.
I previously owned a mid 80's Chevy 3/4 ton, then a 1997 F250 LD. Niether one compare to driving in snow with my 2011 SCrew 6-5' bed with 35's (actually I had 35" Nitto's on both of the other trucks as well so it's a good comparison). The single biggest difference is the traction control, then probably the lengths of the truck helps also. This last winter I had a bunch of my Neighbors come up to my large culdesac and they were all doing donuts with their GMCs, Older V10 Super Duty's and an old Dodge diesel. I went out later and tried the same and as hard as I tried I had a hard time forcing a total spin arounds or donuts. Then I remembered the traction control which I turned off. We'll, all I can say is that the new Ford is still way better with the traction control off (maybe it was the new tires, but I'm still thinking it had something to do with the the long length - just couldn't get the back to swing around) - so not as much fun as the old trucks - but too bad, I'll take the new Ford over the others trucks I've had any day. But as good as the Fords are, my wife drives a Audi Q5, and my boys have an Audi A4 and TT. Hands down the Audi Quattro's get around better in the snow and up the large hill into our neighborhood (for less 6-8" of snow that is). My Ford does fine up the steep hill but I have to play with the gas all the way up to keep the tires going or to prevent the traction control coming on and off (but still way better than my old trucks). But the Audi Quattro's simply zip up the hill accelerating all the way with no issues. Oh, my Infiniti FX45 stays in the garage if there is ice or snow - it's AWD as well, but it's absolutely awful in the snow (even with the snow mode), and braking is even worse. In generall
for the new Fords for driving in snow and then for the Audi's.
12-11-2012, 08:14 AM
#90
Member
I've been amazed at the traction so far with my 2012 fx4 scab. Accelerating and turning from a stop sign on snow covered roads and giving it some gas to test the traction and the traction control is all over it instantly. Really really surprised at how well it controls the wheel slip.
Like others have said, just because you can put it in 4wd and take off fast on snow, it will have no affect on your ability to turn or stop. If you start to slide on the road, gently lift off the gas and steer in to the slide. Most people end up over-correcting, just something you have to learn how to do I guess. Find a big empty parking lot and go do some power slides and test the limits of your vehicle and driving skills. Also, don't touch your brakes when you're in a slide.
Like others have said, just because you can put it in 4wd and take off fast on snow, it will have no affect on your ability to turn or stop. If you start to slide on the road, gently lift off the gas and steer in to the slide. Most people end up over-correcting, just something you have to learn how to do I guess. Find a big empty parking lot and go do some power slides and test the limits of your vehicle and driving skills. Also, don't touch your brakes when you're in a slide.