Stopping on Ice

[lwcdg]

I was out playing with this new Chevy during yesterdays ice storm and discovered a new use for Tow/Haul buttton.

You want to stop or slow down quickly on ice. Use the T/H and apply the brakes as necassary. I found using this mode I didn't need the brakes for much. The t/h had the vehicle well under control with very little to no slippage on the ice.

What a great discovery.

Hope this helps others
Chuck

[8.1al]

Nice to know, thanks

[stiles watson]

Since I don't drive in snow often, that's good info. Maybe using the 4X4 feature is also a good idea. The best thing is to move South where it doesn't snow.

[Delaine and Lindy]

I think I would be very careful using the Tow Haul mode in snow or ice. I never use the Tow Haul mode when on snow or ice. When the Allison gears down it doesn't know your on snow or ice and if you brake traction going forward you can loose control and if towing you could jack-knife you rig. Its the same principle when using the exhaust brake. It should not be used on snow or ice. Also never use cruise control when on snow or ice. You can and should use the 4x4 option when the pavement is wet from snow or ice. The best thing to do is reduce your speed. Or as in the prior post "Go South". Good Luck with YOUR choice... GBY....

[Jim Jarvis]

On my way home from work today I'll have the 4X4 on. We are in the middle of what promises to be 30 cm of snow by the end of it tonight. Thinkin' about you guys in the South.

[daneboy]

Be carefull, brakes are better, because it applies to all four wheels.
Jerry

[BB_TX]

I don't know if my Ford works the same way. But I may have to try it if we get ice this year. I am concerned though that engine braking may cause the rear tires to start sliding on ice. The last thing you want to happen.

[ole dude]

Yep what Stiles said.

[Ozzie]

I'll be driving in snow for the next 4 months...so I'll be checking this out. What I do like about it is it applies to the rear wheels which will assist in keeping the vehicle straight (NOT TOWING).
Something else to play with would be 4 wheel drive in the snow with the tow/haul feature...love this truck.
Towing a big trailer would be another matter altogether - I'd really have to watch that.

[stiles watson]

I NEVER use cruise control on wet or icy pavement. I did just one time. I was driving the speed limit on a wet road, just after it started raining. On a curve, the rear wheels broke loose and I skidded, then the wheels caught and drove me into the guard rail. All my training told me not to hit the brakes in a spin (which would have disengaged the CC) so I unsuccessfully tried to cross steer into control. That is when I learned the hard way not to engage the cruise control on slick.

[TLightning]

Y'all have fun checking out your vehicles and RVs in the snow and ice. If there is snow/ice on the road, we do not move...period.

[MAMalody]

Don't forget that you don't have to hit the brakes to disengage the cruise control. Use the off control.

[jeffwilliams1954]

DO NOT DO THIS! I had a jack knife accident down a 500 foot hill and through steel guardrail due to the fact that the truck downshifted and caused the rear tires to break loose from the pavement. Just like Stiles had happen. This happened on just wet pavement! I could imagine what would happen on ICE. It caused the truck and trailer to jacknife and over the guardrail we went. This is no opinion, only the facts on what happened to me. Everyone out there has the right to be nieve if they want too, but I would recommend that you guys never try this method of stopping unless you want to end up in a ditch somewhere.

[Glenn and Lorraine]

quote:Originally posted by TLightning

Y'all have fun checking out your vehicles and RVs in the snow and ice. If there is snow/ice on the road, we do not move...period.

We have no fear of snow or ice on the roads. I'll drive on whatever Ole Mom Nature throws at me and as soon as we get some snow and/or ice I'll prove it.


BUT, snow or ice is really kinda iffy since we rarely get below 40° down here but if it ever does I'll.....Well I'll be even further south by than

[Waynem]

Be careful of what you wish for Glenn and Lorraine. Be careful what you wish for.

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/reso...ida-snow_x.htm

[clutch]

Several people have given good advice on this topic. I was a Driver Education teacher in snow country for 32 years and my classes included a lot of winter driving in the mountains of North Idaho. I personally would never use engine braking or compression to stop on ice. Leave it in a higher gear and then shift to neutral just before comming to a complete stop. Let the brakes do the job. If your vehicle is idling fast, the rear wheels on your truck will keep pushing and excessive braking to overcome this will cause the front wheels to slide.

Another thing that can happen is that your truck is going say 40mph and you gear down or use an engine or exhaust brake, your drive wheels will slow down to 30 or 35mph and technically you are then in a skid. When the rear wheels are skidding the rear of the vehicle will try and pass the front. All the steering in the world will not straighten the vehicle until the rear wheels are rolling freely.

[lwcdg]

I'm again only stating what seemed to work nicely for me while "playing" on the roads during the ice storm.
1. No other vehicles around - so relatively safe.
2. Indiana roads are relatively flat - no mts.
3. driving truck only no 5er - again remember the words playing?
4. top speed was 50-55 on 4 lane hwy. use t/h as it was bringing the speed down then gentle on brakes for complete stop.
5. if no one ever trys / experiments then nothing is ever learned. I feel safe in our local enviroment where I know the area. Example- I would not feel comfortable in a mts situation , not my home turf.
as with everything on this forum use it as you wish, all opinions have the same guarantee to work, with the same results. Its the user that throws the unknown value into the equation.
enjoy the snow and ice. - not
chuck

[Wiarton William]

quote:Originally posted by TLightning

Y'all have fun checking out your vehicles and RVs in the snow and ice. If there is snow/ice on the road, we do not move...period.

Make that a double...ME NEITHER...thats a disaster waiting to happen...

[sailer]

We have no snow here in bonita springs , fl and if we do , i'll head for the keys ,, i think glenn will be along any time soon if it snows john