What to Drive in Winter [11.27.7]

[truckU]

I can't believe this article listed the Accord. I had an '04 and it was very touchy in slush or wet snow. I had 4 Bridgestone Blizzaks on I've been driving an 18 wheeler for 30 years and I've learned the best way to handle any weather is to slow down and stay away from others

[ericrwalker]

I have an 06 accord ex-l v6...it's awesome in the snow...I had blizzaks when I first bought it and then realized they were a waste of money...haven't used them since the first season...I fly by all the snow drivers in the snow. With Yokohama Avids on the car.

Originally Posted by truckU

I can't believe this article listed the Accord. I had an '04 and it was very touchy in slush or wet snow. I had 4 Bridgestone Blizzaks on I've been driving an 18 wheeler for 30 years and I've learned the best way to handle any weather is to slow down and stay away from others

[wrenrj1]

Originally Posted by RidgeOwner3

"This fall, even one of Land Rover's professional off-road driving instructors said the Ridgeline performed well on a steep, muddy off-road course that climbed up and down an off-season ski slope."

I have to wonder if the automatic AWD system in the Ridgeline would have handled it better.

That's why I got rid of my TITAN 4X4 and went to the RL, well, that and crappy gas mileage, a list of warranty fixes, and it was going out of warranty this year.

We took an AWD Expedition on a 1300 mile road trip a couple weeks ago and it did well in the snow storms of western NE. The RL has also done an outstanding job in Nebraska snows. IMHO, by the time most decide to put their vehicles in 4WD due to conditions, it's too late. AWD takes away the decision.

Also wanted to add that stability control is a big part of the picture. My TITAN allowed me to turn it off. I did exactly once, and never again. You forget how stability control prevents you from fish tailing on snow/ice in most cases.

[Six Rails]

We purchased a 2001 Accord for my son 5+ years ago,he used the vehicle at collage (Clarkson University) and trips home,4 winters later he won't drive anything else. Great in the snow,the wife and I have not had one Honda complaint in the winter. From our 88 Accord Coupe to my new Ridgeline we have been Honda owners for over 25 years.

Merry Christmas from the North East

ROC on Kevin

[Minnesnowta]

I didn't have to read the article to know the RL is a fantastic winter vehicle.

I've owned several full sized V8 trucks and 2 Grand Cherokees. My wife's Pilot shamed the 2002 Grand Cherokee Quadra-Drive last winter so badly that it became another of many reasons I bought a RL this past fall.

Neither the Pilot or RL are for serious off road but without a doubt the RL is the best winter driver I've ever had. Very stable steering, great traction, & braking. With my Jeep I was always plowing in turns and suffering from very long stopping distances. Lane changes on snowy freeways were always white knuckle manuvers. I almost forget I'm driving on ice/snow in my Ridge.

We drove in 50MPH winds and glare ice driving from NW Iowa back to the Twin Cities the weekend before Xmas. Traffic crawled at < 5mph for over 15 miles. I must have counted 30-40 cars in the ditch on I90 and I35. At times I would be sitting (stopped on glare ice) and the 45mph x-wind would actually blow my RL a few inches toward the shoulder. At every other time I felt completely in control and safe. Meanwhile suburbans, pickups, tahoes were fishtailing and panic braking all around me.

Great winter truck!

[Ridge Man]

Link to video test of all season tires versus winter tires under winter driving conditions.Just my 02 on the topic far to many out there don't slow down and drive according to road conditions plus follow too close.

http://www.betiresmart.ca/video/apa.asp

[Horm]

Originally Posted by Ridge Man

Link to video test of all season tires versus winter tires under winter driving conditions.Just my 02 on the topic far to many out there don't slow down and drive according to road conditions plus follow too close.

http://www.betiresmart.ca/video/apa.asp

Thanks for the great link!
My company is starting to switch our fleet of about 250 Dodge Caravans over to all wheel drive Jeeps and is trying to say that now that we have all wheel drive vehicles we should no longer be purchasing snow tires as we have been for the vans.
I will be send this link along to back up what I have been trying to explain.
The best part is, the link is Canadian!
Thanks Ridge Man.

[Ridge Man]

Here is one more link for you, It kinda proves that VSA--ESC and ABS are very dependent and more effective with the rubber that meets the type of road surface. Yes a very old link but still applies to-days standards.
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articl...elin_x-ice.htm