Total 4x4 Noob! Basic Questions...
Record Breaker
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,451
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From: CA
Yeah you could probably put it in 4wd the whole time if you wanted, as long as there is snow on the road. If the road is treated and just a dusting or sand/salt, you probably won't even need or want the 4wd. To be honest, I don't use mine all that often. I usually just switch it on when I am driving in unplowed snow or if I feel the truck starting to slip. I have only used 4wd once in my new Ram, when I was driving on a muddy rutted road. In my old Dakota, I used 2wd most of the time, even during the winter. 2wd can be fun in the snow too if you have room and won't cause an accident, like in an open parking lot. 
That sucks about your manual. I leave mine in the truck all the time. What's the point of taking it out when you could just leave it where you will always need it? Anyway, you can download a pdf version here: http://www.dodge.com/en/owners/manuals/index.html
That sucks about your manual. I leave mine in the truck all the time. What's the point of taking it out when you could just leave it where you will always need it? Anyway, you can download a pdf version here: http://www.dodge.com/en/owners/manuals/index.html
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 29
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From: Frankfort, IN
If you've ever had to drive the Trans Am in snow, you will realize how little 4x4 is needed. I drove my 96 Trans Am LT1 6-Speed through 2 winters in Indiana, it wasn't fun at all. But after driving that, 4wd is a luxury more than a need.
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Registered User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 13
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From: Toledo, OH
That sucks about your manual. I leave mine in the truck all the time. What's the point of taking it out when you could just leave it where you will always need it? Anyway, you can download a pdf version here: http://www.dodge.com/en/owners/manuals/index.html
I guess what it's looking like is to use the 4x4, if necessary, in my unplowed subdivision but when I hit the main roads go back to 2WD.
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Registered User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 13
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From: Toledo, OH
I wanted some major snow to hit so I can see what this 4x4 can do. 
But alas, I guess I'll have to wait till something sticks.
Professional
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 152
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From: Newfoundland, Canada
Just remember that your 4+4 will rocket away from a stop sign (even on all-season tires) but it can give you a false sense of security. If you over drive the all-seasons you can find yourself off in the ditch or into the rear end of the car in front of you. You still stop like everyone on all-seasons and it will corner like everyone on all-seasons but leaving that stop sign you will have 3 wheels pulling you ( if you have lsd) as compared to most people having only 1 wheel pulling them. I have been a vol. firefighter for 25 years and the first snow falls of the year always brings a fair share of 4+4s off in the ditch with 4 all-seasons pointing to the sky. If you have winter you should go with 4 winter tires. Here, we don't have all-season, we have winter! Now you will hear of all kinds of people that have been driving on all-seasons for 20 years and never ever got stuck but they might be as adventurous as you.... or most of us. I have 4 studded snow tires on all the trucks and cars I own. If I slide off the side of the road it will be my own fault, I was driving too fast for the conditions, not because I was driving on all-seasons. My .02 worth.