4A vs 4H Snow driving

[RocketFistMooga]

The roads were not great over here in Western PA yesterday. This was the first real winter test I have had with my lariat powerboost. I put the truck in slippery mode with 4A and it seemed like every time I would make a sharp turn, It would push the front wheels more than the front wheels engaging and pulling it through the turn like it does in 4H. I was literally almost sliding completely through the turn and hitting the curb on two occasions. Wondering if this has been anybody else’s experience? Or is this something more related to the stock Hancook tires not being that great in the snow?

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[12Lariat21]

Your stock tires would be the No.1 issue you'll have with snow. If your truck is pushing and not turning means you have no traction, so you are going too fast for the traction those tires can provide. You need more bite.

But yes the 4A is shit in deep snow. I drove through some 4-6" deep snow last year and the 4A was too 'anti-slip' controlled. Like if it started to spin it would reduce power, apply brake etc...I had to shift into 4H and I also turned traction control off, then I was able to drive the snow without issue.

Basically you need the tires to be spinning/slipping to dig through deep snow, so the over computer control in 4A doesn't help you any.

 

[bgalakazam]

None helped here in the ice slush. Slippery is slipper. Probably need winter tires + chains.

 

[sbi]

So what else does Slippery or Snow (whatever it is) mode do, other than switching to 4A?

 

[ryanc111]

The roads were not great over here in Western PA yesterday. This was the first real winter test I have had with my lariat powerboost. I put the truck in slippery mode with 4A and it seemed like every time I would make a sharp turn, It would push the front wheels more than the front wheels engaging and pulling it through the turn like it does in 4H. I was literally almost sliding completely through the turn and hitting the curb on two occasions. Wondering if this has been anybody else’s experience? Or is this something more related to the stock Hancook tires not being that great in the snow?

Add weight to the bed. I had similar behvior (with good snow tires) but once I added some Tube Sand to the bed it is rock solid now.

 

[nomarhits400]

So what else does Slippery or Snow (whatever it is) mode do, other than switching to 4A?

When I've used it, it feels like it reduces throttle tip-in to keep excess engine torque from spinning the wheels at low RPMS's- but that's anecdotal.

 

[DMuiser]

So what else does Slippery or Snow (whatever it is) mode do, other than switching to 4A?

I don’t have lariat so I don’t have 4A just 4H but when I put into slippery I agree with above 4H comes on and less torque to prevent spinning.
Snow/ sand engine idles at 2000rpm rear dif lock is engaged and all of a sudden the sluggish slippery mode now feels like a tank that could go through anything. I find slippery good when on slushy or lightly snow covered roads but snow/ sand when trying to get through deep bumper height drifts especially when trying to get into a snowy field

 

[SALEEN961]

I had no issues driving around in sport mode with 4A in eastern PA; but I do have snow tires, and I had to drive fairly aggressively to notice any loss of traction. My only real concern was other people not being able to turn or stop in time, there are way too many idiots driving around in the snow with bald summer only tires in my area.

 

[Polo08816]

Your stock tires would be the No.1 issue you'll have with snow. If your truck is pushing and not turning means you have no traction, so you are going too fast for the traction those tires can provide. You need more bite.

But yes the 4A is shit in deep snow. I drove through some 4-6" deep snow last year and the 4A was too 'anti-slip' controlled. Like if it started to spin it would reduce power, apply brake etc...I had to shift into 4H and I also turned traction control off, then I was able to drive the snow without issue.

Basically you need the tires to be spinning/slipping to dig through deep snow, so the over computer control in 4A doesn't help you any.

They make all the difference. I was visiting the Pittsburgh, PA area and drove up in a X3 35i with Michelin X-Ice Xi3 tires. You could pretty much maintain normal highway speeds with those tires on snow covered roads. The lateral and longitudinal traction provided so much control and predictability even under dynamic friction.

It also helps to be an avid HPDE'er with a lot of skidpad time with PCA Potomac and BMW CCA NCC as well.

 

[JimL]

The roads were not great over here in Western PA yesterday. This was the first real winter test I have had with my lariat powerboost. I put the truck in slippery mode with 4A and it seemed like every time I would make a sharp turn, It would push the front wheels more than the front wheels engaging and pulling it through the turn like it does in 4H. I was literally almost sliding completely through the turn and hitting the curb on two occasions. Wondering if this has been anybody else’s experience? Or is this something more related to the stock Hancook tires not being that great in the snow?

I also live in western PA and only have a '20 5.0 XLT, so no 4auto (thanks, Ford, you suck at option availability). Anyway, in 4H the front really binds when I take a slow turn, even in snow. It binds and then releases.

 

[JimL]

...But yes the 4A is shit in deep snow...

TFL Truck has an older video of Micah taking an F150 with 4A through some deep CO snow, and it went through great. I remember he was having so much fun at how well it did. But I'm not discounting your experience at all.

 

[GregBC]

22 XLT (so no 4A available) but 4H in the slush we had here was great; I would not fear using 4H with any snow/slush on the roads. Stock M&S tires were fine at the 32F temps we had. I also kept it in Eco mode; I found the Slippery mode was TOO sluggish. Since I drive Eco mode most the time, I know what to expect far better than trying a new unfamiliar mode.

 

[12Lariat21]

TFL Truck has an older video of Micah taking an F150 with 4A through some deep CO snow, and it went through great. I remember he was having so much fun at how well it did. But I'm not discounting your experience at all.

It could totally be how I was using it. I did drive through the neighborhood with no issues in 4A, but when I stopped to then back into the driveway, all of the sudden it was like nope, sorry we aint doin' that. I had little to no patience for it, so I stuck it in 4H, turned traction control off and locked the rear axle, and just sent it. Which worked great!

 

[HammaMan]

4h puts the truck into a position where the front wheels rotate ever so slightly more per given distance due the rolling diameter being slightly smaller because of the additional mass on them. Functionally they're almost like slightly smaller tires due to sidewall deflection. That mass = the pace setter so the rear wheels can slip ever so slightly. Weighting the bed can balance it out making for a much better balance / response. If you don't use the bed to carry anything, dropping 3 psi or so can balance it out better. You can gauge this on nice flat ground by measuring the distance between the ground and the rim.

 

[JimL]

It could totally be how I was using it. I did drive through the neighborhood with no issues in 4A, but when I stopped to then back into the driveway, all of the sudden it was like nope, sorry we aint doin' that. I had little to no patience for it, so I stuck it in 4H, turned traction control off and locked the rear axle, and just sent it. Which worked great!

I can totally relate to the "no patience" scenario!!

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