You are absolutely right. And, I understand your caution. We see your point every winter with what we call the ''flat lander's'' from the valley below. Every weekend all we here is sirens caused by visitors on the icy roads. Many of them SUV's trying to show how invincible they are and trying to justify their 4WD.
: > I would like to provide a different opinion to your last paragraph. : >
: > Your statement would be true if all four wheels always had equal : > braking. But, that doesn't happen in real life. Assume you are going : > down slope on a icy road and approaching a stop sign. You would want : > all four wheel to provide equal braking to distribute the braking force : > to all four wheels. Now, imagine if just one wheel locked up (which : > does happen). Then the braking would be on just 3 wheels increasing the : > braking requirement for the 3 wheels by 33%. This process continues : > until nothing works. : >
: > When in 4WD, no single wheel locks by itself. All four wheels always : > provide some braking. All four wheels turn together. If one locks up, : > they all lock up. : >
: > I live in the mountains where 4WD braking is the only hope at one : > intersection. It is not just a matter of watching my speed. Gravity is : > pushing the vehicle. Of course common sense must apply and 4WD does not : > insure no problem. The point is that 4WD braking is superior to non-4WD : > braking on ice/snow. : >
: >
: > : > I just took possession of a nice 1995 Ford F-250 4WD. : > : >
: > : > I'm new to 4WD...can anyone give me tips as how to use it? : > : >
: > : > I've heard not to make turns with it engaged. Would it hurt : > anything just : > : > to engage it and drive a mile or two to check things out? : > : >
: > : > Also...What maintenance is required? I plan to take it to a : > : > mechanic...but I would like to have some resources available to me : > in an : > : > effort to educate myself. : > : >
: > : > Maybe some webs links? : > : >
: > : > Thanks, Chuck : > : >
: > : : > : : >
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