Where Silverado's are actually better
06-24-2015, 11:54 AM
#71
Ok, I have seen a few posts now where it is beneficial to be in 4 auto (or even 4wd) on the highway. Please explain to me how this is beneficial. I don't care, if you are going 50, 60, or 70 mph and you hit a patch of ice and get sideways, it isn't going to matter if you are in 4wd or 2wd. 4wd is for traction when you are taking off. Once you are up to speed, it offers no advantage over 2wd nor does it help you stop better. The only thing I can see it help in is to get you out of the ditch you just ended up in. Again, I live in SW Michigan (lake effect area from lake Michigan) where we get a ton of snow. Majority of vehicles off the highway are 4wd trucks that think exactly like some posters on here and go too fast.
And the thing you pro auto 4x4 people need to understand is if you learn how to drive and adjust to conditions you won't have any issues with the odd ice patch in 2wd. Your truck will not just explode off the highway because there is ice on it. In fact by the time that auto crap engages it's likely too late as you be partially sideways anyhow. Throttle modulation and not just slamming on the brakes does wonders. I have been driving for 20 years averaging over 60000 miles a year with no weather related issues. Anyone can do that. It's cold enough here in the winter months most salt and chemicals become ineffective so you drive on snow pack for weeks... It's a 55 mile trek to work everyday and I haven't gone careening off the highway through some of the worst driving winters I have dealt with... Pay attention and it's amazing what happens. And please. ..black ice. Sure... accelerating, braking or changing lanes can toss you in a loop. But unless you give it a reason you cab do 100 mph in a straight line on a glare ice road and never lose traction. Just drive accordingly.
Like I said, if you can drive on ice great for you. Most southern people struggle with it as I am sure you can attest to.
06-24-2015, 11:56 AM
#72
Senior Member
The thing some of you anti 4A ppl aren't understanding with the logic of "you either need 4wd or you don't" is that during the winter, on the hwy, after it's been driven on and plowed, there's still certain spots that remain ice and hard pack that'll cause you to spin out and you can't just leave 4X4 on the whole time for those few occasions since it's so hard on your drivetrain, perfect scenarios to have the auto feature!
06-24-2015, 12:02 PM
#73
Senior Member
You might want to read my post above pertaining to your last post. I think I say the same thing you are saying. I don't know if you want to just argue or what.
Like I said, if you can drive on ice great for you. Most southern people struggle with it as I am sure you can attest to.
Like I said, if you can drive on ice great for you. Most southern people struggle with it as I am sure you can attest to.
Last edited by 1994Vmax; 06-24-2015 at 12:07 PM.
06-24-2015, 12:12 PM
#74
I mean no disrespect to Texans but again, ice is ice. Yours is no different than ours except it goes away in a day or two. Try driving on it for months!
Last edited by joedotmac; 06-24-2015 at 12:22 PM.
06-24-2015, 12:16 PM
#75
No you aren't agreeing with me lol. Unless you are trying to say driving in 2wd according to road conditions is a good way to learn... which you aren't. Hence the statement if you need it you need it for 4x4. Last winter was pretty bad and I felt I needed the truck in 4hi twice going to work. In truth I should have just stayed home as it was a mess. They actually closed the air weapons range the oilfield facilities I work in are on twice because they felt the roads on it unsafe to drive on. So we sat at the gate and waited for them to let us in. My avocation is learn to handle the truck in 2wd... which by reading here and lots of other forums I visit.....most can't. I don't really care about southerners.... enough people that have lived here their entire lives still can't figure it out either.
My point in the post I referenced states 4A or 4x4 isn't beneficial on a highway. I basically got that from your post along with learning how to drive. People think 4x4 and they are invincible. Most the vehicles that go off the highway around here are 4x4's as they think they can just blast on.
Last edited by funmoneypit150; 06-24-2015 at 12:20 PM.
06-24-2015, 03:18 PM
#76
Well Im glad you understand Texas Snow. That was all I was getting at. Most northerners definition of snow is different from ours. Bless your heart that you have to drive on that stuff daily for half the year. The only reason I like the Auto is due to the fact of running town to town. I find it a waste of time to put it into 4x4 in town so that I can move from stop light to stop light to get out of town, then to stop and pull it out of 4X4 on the highway outside of town to run higher speeds where the roads are not as bad and then to turn around again and put it back into 4x4 to navigate through the next town.
06-24-2015, 05:10 PM
#77
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Well anyway, whether or not you think auto 4wd is good or bad, can't we all agree on my original post that it's pretty sad on fords part not to include it with some of the lower models? The fact that you have to pay 60 grand or more to get that feature is ludicrous
06-24-2015, 07:44 PM
#79
Senior Member
The new trucks are worse Imo. At least for 13 and 14 you could get decent headlights being the hids in even XLT'S. Now you have to get a 502a package Lariat or higher to get something other than the candles they use for halogens. I would rather good lights over auto 4 wheel drive lol.
06-24-2015, 09:29 PM
#80
Senior Member
The new trucks are worse Imo. At least for 13 and 14 you could get decent headlights being the hids in even XLT'S. Now you have to get a 502a package Lariat or higher to get something other than the candles they use for halogens. I would rather good lights over auto 4 wheel drive lol.