Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

Vehicle Choice for Glare Ice

MBDIAGMAN said:
As does most of the country, we have the winter storm coming through. Today we are beginning to see glare ice develop after rain and then temperature drop.

I have three vehicles as possible choices for the task. I’m going to describe them and explain why I chose the one that I did.

The first is my jeep, a TJ with aggressive 35 inch mud tires. The second is my F150 with 33 inch aggressive, mud, tires, lockers, and so forth on both. The third is my 2014 Porsche Cayenne with AWD. It is the first AWD vehicle I’ve ever driven. In fact the only AWD I’ve ever driven. Last winter I drove it around in the snow and a little bit of glare ice not thinking much about it. Then my wife wanted to go somewhere in her car and a 2 Wheel Dr. expedition at that point I learned how much to appreciate AWD. In any kind of off-road situation, I would never choose the Cayenne. On ice, however it works incredibly well as long as it stays on the road. The only advantage of the jeep and the truck is that if I do end up off the road, I can winch myself out.

Currently, we are hunkered down in the country and probably won’t drive a lot, but if I do, I will report back on the effectiveness of the cayenne on glare ice.
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Mud terrain tires aren’t just bad on ice, they are terrible. Take the Porsche if for no other reason. Also, the nannies that make it useless off road will help alot on the road. Winter specific tires (with many many tread edges close together) are also really good. Even better if studded.
 
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ColoJeep said:
As long as the drivetrain stays together and you don't have a clue about winter driving. :sneaky:
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I remember all the times I'd go skiing in our old Subaru. I'd take that thing the mountains and man was it a joy to drive in the snow.

Unfortunately they have a reputation of being lesbian cars which makes them a bit embarrassing to drive. Still, I've always liked them as I think Subaru builds a good all-weather vehicle.
 
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Chris said:
I remember all the times I'd go skiing in our old Subaru. I'd take that thing the mountains and man was it a joy to drive in the snow.

Unfortunately they have a reputation of being lesbian cars which makes them a bit embarrassing to drive. Still, I've always liked them as I think Subaru builds a good all-weather vehicle.
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I get what you're saying , a Subi doesn't require any driver input to work .
 
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ColoJeep said:
I get what you're saying , a Subi doesn't require any driver input to work .
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Indeed it does not. I found an empty parking lot covered in snow and ice and tried to get that thing to lose control and it just wouldn't do it. Those computers are pretty damn smart to say the least. It's the sort of vehicle I'd feel comfortable putting my daughter in and letting her drive!
 
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Chris said:
Indeed it does not. I found an empty parking lot covered in snow and ice and tried to get that thing to lose control and it just wouldn't do it. Those computers are pretty damn smart to say the least. It's the sort of vehicle I'd feel comfortable putting my daughter in and letting her drive!
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The ones I've driven were before ABS controlled traction control and were mostly 5 spd. manuals. You definitely can push a manual Subi. to spin out . An automatic Subi would stall out the convertor and just twitch and have a little wheel movment without the car moving in deep snow.
You also had to use heavy throttle and slip the clutch to get started in 12 " of snow , but by then the viscous coupling would start to slip and leave you with front wheel drive only . A Subi works well on a slick paved road , but even with the SWB draw backs of a TJ , I find the TJ a much better mountain commuter in truly bullshit conditions.
 
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Chris said:
Unfortunately they have a reputation of being lesbian cars which makes them a bit embarrassing to drive.
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Not all of them...
1769278883336.jpeg
 
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Chris said:
Indeed it does not. I found an empty parking lot covered in snow and ice and tried to get that thing to lose control and it just wouldn't do it. Those computers are pretty damn smart to say the least. It's the sort of vehicle I'd feel comfortable putting my daughter in and letting her drive!
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How about your son? But hey, I have a 16 outhouse, my son has the crosstrek in NH. Even had the custom plate ready to order,
lesbaru.JPG
 
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