AWD Broken?

[Illnasty]

2002 Denali here. Is it possible for the AWD to be broken without an error coming up on the dash? Asking cause we just got some significant snow for the first time and I almost wrapped her around the telephone pole. Was doing 40, hit a thick patch of snow, and lost all control. Was able to get it back but man was that scary.

 

[Red Rider]

You need to provide more info... having wider tires is not going to help you in the snow... thinner is better. But you should be able to see if someone watches from outside in the snow. 4wd still requires extra caution though. not saying this is your case, but some people think 4wd means they are invincible and drive on snow as they would in rain.

 

[Danny3737]

At 40 MPH and hitting a patch of snow, physics is not your friend. Good tires and good judgement are your best defense in the snow.

 

[05alive]

It's possible to spin out with 4wd/awd. All it does really is increase the chance that a wheel with power will have traction.

Go look up awd snow drifting or 4wd snow drifting on youtube

 

[95escahoe]

Sounds like you were going too fast, not sure why you'd go 40mph when there's snow on the road, was out in my AWD Escalade before had no problem in a foot plus


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[08grey]

Don't forget that these things weigh 4000 pounds. So don't try to keep up when that Kia Sportage Awd goes flying by you.


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[adventurenali92]

I would think that if there's a problem with your AWD system, that the transfer case would lock up your wheels and you wouldn't be able to drive at all. At least that's what my understanding of how the AWD system works would lead me to believe would happen if your AWD system was malfunctioning. But correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Red Rider]

If you talk to people that live up north, they will tell you how they drive in snow... Carefully. As they get to stop sign or light, or curve in the road, they start slowing down 4 times earlier. They give themselves plenty of time to correct if wheels lock up. And they are probably driving with real snow tires not all seasons.

Go to youtube and look up pile-ups on highways. It is horrendous. If that will not frighten you to death, nothing will. I am amazed at how fast people will drive when they have absolutely no visibility and/or conditions are treacherous.

And if weather ever threatens ice rain or conditions are icy... stay home. 4wd will do nothing for you on ice, unless you have metal studs in your tires or chains.

 

[Illnasty]

No problem here with constructive criticism and I agree that I was driving like douche bag. Not an excuse but it was our first real snow fall so I tend to forget the most simplest of things like be careful.

 

[Danny3737]

No problem here with constructive criticism and I agree that I was driving like douche bag. Not an excuse but it was our first real snow fall so I tend to forget the most simplest of things like be careful.

Don't sweat it. I sometimes try to drive mine like a sports car and forget how much longer it takes to stop. In the snow, it just compounds the problem. It's a lot easier to go than to stop. Four things I never go cheap on are tires, brakes, bulbs, and wipers. Have some fun and take a skid driving course, I've done it a few times and always learn something new. You never know when you are going to hit some black ice, especially at night.