Vehicles with four-wheel drive transfer the power from your engine to four wheels instead of two wheels. Some vehicles have it part of the time or all of the time (often called all-wheel drive), depending on the model and what options it has. Here are just five of the benefits of having four-wheel drive when driving around in the winter months.
Additional Traction
The main purpose of four-wheel drive is to provide you with additional traction. In the winter months, traction is important as you drive over icy conditions and through the snow. Better traction can help keep you and your passengers safer in varying road conditions. Whether you plan to travel to a different climate or stay home, this added traction is helpful.
Travel Anywhere
With four-wheel drive, you can travel almost anywhere. This includes on mountain paths, through forests, and in the snow. During the winter months, many families travel more than usual to visit family and to enjoy winter break. Having a vehicle with available four-wheel drive means that you can travel to places where someone with a simple two-wheel-drive sedan would not dare to venture.
High or Low
Depending on the model, you might have access to Four-High and Four-Low settings that you can switch between based on driving conditions. You should rely on Four-High when you’re on a highway and the roads are wet, icy, or covered in snow. You can also use it when you’re driving on gravel or mud. It is a great way to get additional traction when you need it during regular use. During the winter when roads are more likely to be icy, Four-High can help prevent slips or accidents.
The Four-Low setting can help you in less common situations, such as getting caught in deep snow, going up steep inclines, or driving through water. You’ll need to drive slowly to benefit from this feature, as Four-Low uses more torque to substantially increase your traction. In the winter, it is perfect when you go out to your car only to realize it’s been covered in snow. You can dig out the top of your car and then use the Four-Low setting to help get out of deeper snow.
Best of Both
There are some drivers that would fully benefit from having all-wheel drive, especially if they spend a lot of time driving in less than ideal conditions. However, having a vehicle with four-wheel drive gives you the best of both types of vehicles. You’ll be able to turn on the power of four-wheel drive only when you need it and turn it off when you don’t.
When it comes to the winter season, there are a few things that make driving safer and more enjoyable. This includes features such as four-wheel drive, a great pair of all-terrain tires, and heated seats. If you’re looking to purchase a new vehicle, consider how you want to spend your winter months driving around.
“Kindness is like snow, it beautifies everything it covers” by PokemonaDeChroma is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Connect with us
