I am a born and raised southern boy and have never lived where it snows (or even gets cold for that matter). My dilemma is the Navy is sending me to Connecticut for the winter and I am sure at some point i will encounter snow/ ice on the roads. Some advice in the following areas would be apreciated:
1) Fluids: As long as i have anitfreeze and some kind of cold weather washer fluid I'm good right?
2) Equipment imperative to snow/ice driving.
3) Methods of safe driving.
4) Any other miscellaneous items/ tips ya'll deem necessary that an ignorant southerner like me would overlook.

My rig: Stock (for now) '09 QC HEMI 4x4 SLT, 17" wheels with I believe the AT's but will double check.

I appreciate ya'lls input.

 

One thing to remember while driving 4x4 in the winter is make sure you take extra precaution on stopping. I for one am not used to a 4x4(just bought a 4x4 2010 Ram this week) but I do know from what others have said to just becareful. I usually buy winter washer fluid for my trucks I have owned before. It might take a while to get used to driving in snow but I dont think it will be to bad for you.

 

Slow down (not stupid slow but slower) , be smooth, give your self more space to work

 

Put 400-500 lbs of sand bags in the bed over the rear wheels.

Using 4x4 on the road is just stupid unless you are in deep snow before they plow.

Take it easy on the accellerator and make sure you start slowing down a lot sooner than you think you need to.

 

CT native here.
Most of your problems will center around the large number of other vehicles on the road around you and the fact that most of the other drivers are clueless about how to drive in snow/ice. Many will be talking on phones, drinking coffee, are female and afraid to pass a truck and/or driving too fast for conditions. All sorts of other stuff too.
Give everyone a lot of space. Slow down-a lot. Most of the main roads will be cleared by DPW trucks within a few hours. My advice, stay off the roads until then. If you do drive on snowy roads, use 4W drive high primarily and you'll find you really don't need it much once the snow is cleared.
Ice can be a problem. Approach stop signs & red lights very slowly if the roadway looks shiny, breaking might be real "exciting" otherwise. All-in-all, stay off the roads if you can ... you'll save busted fenders & other bodywork disasters.

 

This helps in getting you going, especially if all you have is 2wd.
however, if you find yourself in a bad situation going to fast and sliding/skidding, the added mass/weight will only make you slide farther and make it harder to stop. not to mention the chance of flying sandbags if you were in a high velocity crash or roll over.

uhm, okay??!? im not sure where he came up with this but in icy, slushy or snowy conditions 4x4 will keep you from spinning out and fishtailling and losing control. If you have 4wd, use it!

^^ x2 This is great advice, 99% of accidents are because people were going too fast and lost control or didnt start slowing down early enough.
take it really easy at least until you get the feel of driving on bad roads.

 

yeah. usually 4x4 gives everyone a false sense of security because it drives so much better in the snow. but, it doesnt stop any better!! keep that in mind

 

One more thing to remember is that when you go around a bend or turn 4 wheel drive does not help you, it's only good when driving straight.

 

Yeah I'm very familiar with the driving characteristics of 4x4, but I wasn't sure how advantageous it is in snow/ ice.

 

Part time 4x4 causes binding and pushing on the road. Causes more problems than it solves unless you are turning it on and off at every turn.

If you've got a full time system, turn it on it Dec and leave it on until June

I save 4wd for my off the road vehicles