First impression in snow....not impressed

fadippides · 10-29-2011, 01:20 PM

Today was the first time I had the Rav4 in snow. There was about 1" or snow on the road (very wet snow). I was not impressed with the capability of the awd system, the car wanted to slide several times while climbing a hill and the driveway.

Factors that played in:

Very steep hill and driveway, maybe 20%
AWD was locked and kept under 25
Stability was turned on (probably should have been off)
Stock tires with 14K on them (5-wheel rotation).
Wet, slick snow.
No chance to gain momentum, sharp turns before inclines

I plan on putting an aggressive set of winter tires on to help improve it for when my wife drives, any other ideas? I never really had a problem with my Xterra with good all season tires (Dueler Revos and Fotera Triple Treds).

03rav4inPA · 10-29-2011, 02:00 PM

we've got a half inch mix of slush and snow and my 4.2 was tearing it up, my yokohama geolanders are about 75%...

SeriousBlack · 10-29-2011, 02:04 PM

Get winter tires

Deanjet · 10-29-2011, 02:04 PM

I don't think my Rav4 (4WD) will ever see snow.... I had my last vehical for 10 years and it never once drove in snow. I live in South Florida for a reason, I can have a pick-nick at the beach on Christmas and New Years day

The only snow we see here is when the DEA has a raid!

Carbon · 10-29-2011, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fadippides

Very steep hill and driveway, maybe 20%

20% would be a very steep hill or driveway. To measure a slope, you can use a level and a tape measure. Hold the level level with one corner contacting the road. Measure the distance from the downhill corner of the level to the road. Divide the length of the level by that measurement .

Are you allowed to use studded snow tires?

fadippides · 10-29-2011, 02:14 PM

I dont think I can get away with the studded snow tires. I am looking at Nokians and Vredestein tires right now. The 20% incline is made worse by taking sharp turns prior so no chance for momentum.

SeriousBlack, what tires are you running?

fadippides · 10-29-2011, 02:15 PM

Also, do you mount a 5th snow for the spare?

SeriousBlack · 10-29-2011, 02:18 PM

They are Nokian Hakkapeliitta Sport Utility 5's 235/55R18 104T XL's. I do not mount a spare winter tire. All 3 of my cars get winter tires.

fadippides · 10-29-2011, 02:31 PM

Are they on the stock rims or do you have an extra set?

SeriousBlack · 10-29-2011, 02:35 PM

The winters are mounted on the stock rims. They do corrode with all the salt used here. I have an extra set for spring, summer and fall...

10-29-2011, 01:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
fadippides Junior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northeast PA Posts: 46 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Feedback Score: 0 reviews	First impression in snow....not impressed Today was the first time I had the Rav4 in snow. There was about 1" or snow on the road (very wet snow). I was not impressed with the capability of the awd system, the car wanted to slide several times while climbing a hill and the driveway. Factors that played in: Very steep hill and driveway, maybe 20% AWD was locked and kept under 25 Stability was turned on (probably should have been off) Stock tires with 14K on them (5-wheel rotation). Wet, slick snow. No chance to gain momentum, sharp turns before inclines I plan on putting an aggressive set of winter tires on to help improve it for when my wife drives, any other ideas? I never really had a problem with my Xterra with good all season tires (Dueler Revos and Fotera Triple Treds). __________________ Last edited by fadippides; 10-29-2011 at 01:24 PM. Reason: Added Image

10-29-2011, 02:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
03rav4inPA Advanced Member Country: Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Fairless Hills, PA Posts: 593 Thanks: 7 Thanked 14 Times in 14 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	we've got a half inch mix of slush and snow and my 4.2 was tearing it up, my yokohama geolanders are about 75%... __________________ 2003 Toyota Rav4 -- 2.0 VVT-I/Auto/4WD, 85k Current Mods: Bugflector, AVS Ventvisors, Eclipse AVN30D, OEM Foglights, OEM Heated Mirrors Future Mods: OEM rear-spoiler, OEM 'Sport' hood

10-29-2011, 02:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
SeriousBlack Advanced Member Country: Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N'Hampsha! Posts: 7,784 Thanks: 25 Thanked 23 Times in 21 Posts Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Get winter tires __________________ To The BlackMobile!!! FS: (4) 20" Black Enkei LS-5 Rims & Tires Used (4) 255/40R20 Yokohama Parada Spec-X's

10-29-2011, 02:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
Deanjet Senior Member Country: Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hollywood, Florida Posts: 455 Thanks: 16 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I don't think my Rav4 (4WD) will ever see snow.... I had my last vehical for 10 years and it never once drove in snow. I live in South Florida for a reason, I can have a pick-nick at the beach on Christmas and New Years day The only snow we see here is when the DEA has a raid! __________________ 2011 RAV4 SPORT V6 AWD The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.

10-29-2011, 02:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
fadippides Junior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northeast PA Posts: 46 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I dont think I can get away with the studded snow tires. I am looking at Nokians and Vredestein tires right now. The 20% incline is made worse by taking sharp turns prior so no chance for momentum. SeriousBlack, what tires are you running? __________________

10-29-2011, 02:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
fadippides Junior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northeast PA Posts: 46 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Also, do you mount a 5th snow for the spare? __________________

10-29-2011, 02:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
SeriousBlack Advanced Member Country: Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N'Hampsha! Posts: 7,784 Thanks: 25 Thanked 23 Times in 21 Posts Feedback Score: 2 reviews	They are Nokian Hakkapeliitta Sport Utility 5's 235/55R18 104T XL's. I do not mount a spare winter tire. All 3 of my cars get winter tires. __________________ To The BlackMobile!!! FS: (4) 20" Black Enkei LS-5 Rims & Tires Used (4) 255/40R20 Yokohama Parada Spec-X's

10-29-2011, 02:31 PM	#9 (permalink)
fadippides Junior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northeast PA Posts: 46 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Are they on the stock rims or do you have an extra set? __________________

10-29-2011, 02:35 PM	#10 (permalink)
SeriousBlack Advanced Member Country: Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N'Hampsha! Posts: 7,784 Thanks: 25 Thanked 23 Times in 21 Posts Feedback Score: 2 reviews	The winters are mounted on the stock rims. They do corrode with all the salt used here. I have an extra set for spring, summer and fall... __________________ To The BlackMobile!!! FS: (4) 20" Black Enkei LS-5 Rims & Tires Used (4) 255/40R20 Yokohama Parada Spec-X's

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