I've been wondering: Should I engage my vehicle's 4-wheel drive when I'm driving in a rainstorm or on wet roads? Or is that just a waste of gas?
2006-11-21 08:15:47 · 13 answers · asked by Gipper333 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
it's a waste of gas unless you're off-road. The only thing that makes driving in the rain safer is slower speeds, and anti-lock brakes.
2006-11-21 08:19:37 · answer #1 · answered by gatesfam@swbell.net 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's pretty much a waste of gas. Everyone that has answered you so far is right, it doesn't make it any safer driving in the rain.
What makes it safer in the rain is to drive according to the conditions of the road. It only makes sense to drive accordingly and be more careful.
Some people get a false sense of security with 4/wheel drive, but as several previous posters have stated, it doesn't change the stopping ability. When you hit the brakes in a 4/wheel drive on ice or snow, all vehicles are created equally and it just doesn't matter anymore what drive mode you're in.
2006-11-21 12:21:44 · answer #2 · answered by Gnome 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First off, engaged or not you won't change your fuel consumption. All of the axles and hubs and drive shafts are still rotating even in 2wd. The only change in 4x4 is that it locks the hubs. Second, $wd does not make you stop any faster then anyone else on the road so don't think that because I have a 4x4 I can go faster in crappy weather. It may give you better traction if needed in wet conditions to accelerate but remember that the 4X4 trucks and SUV's are always the first ones to be in the ditch in a snow storm.
2006-11-21 08:52:51 · answer #3 · answered by David L 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It helps but you still need to drive with caution. Drive according to the road conditions whether in 2 or 4 wheel drive.
2006-11-21 11:49:09 · answer #4 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it doesnt,
in fact it does the opposite.. 4wd vehicles have a higher center of gravity, and typically wider tires.. wider tires can hydroplane easier, and the higher cg makes them more unstable in a turn or a skid.
they show their good stuff off the road, in mud, sand, and deep snow.
On ice, all cars are created equal, 4wd wont help you much on the ice... you may get going a little better but 4wd doesnt mean you have 8 wheel stop!!!
2006-11-21 08:20:43 · answer #5 · answered by Jonny B 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
when the water exceeds the grip on the tire you start hydoplaning and no car no matter how many wheel drive you got safe speed always is the best traction
2006-11-21 08:33:11 · answer #6 · answered by accomacgeo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does make it safer and it will cause a teeny bit of wear and tear. It will track better in general. On snow, a defenite improvement to keep rear from coming around.
2006-11-21 08:20:37 · answer #7 · answered by done wrenching 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
slow down and you will be safer, the 4wd in rain will wear out the tires and trans axles
2006-11-21 08:20:20 · answer #8 · answered by scottb03gt 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It will certainly improve your cornering ability in the wet, but that's it.
Best advise is to just slow down.
2006-11-21 08:18:21 · answer #9 · answered by Shockey Monkey 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No. Four wheel drive doesn't make any driving any safer.
2006-11-21 08:19:52 · answer #10 · answered by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋