Yep yep yep. The driving has been a lot more passive. Minimal use of cruise control, laying off the gas and passively slowing, pumping brakes well ahead of stops, etc. Passing is an art, especially all those oversized loads on the road. And go SLOW. I have really internalized your tip. Slower than you think. Everybody passes me. Don't care. My other neighbor mentioned in a text that he runs red lights. I thought he was kidding but probably not. That day I saw the guy run off the road, I was sliding on the ice too. I knew I was going to spin out if I braked at all so I maneuvered over to the left away from the box truck and did a controlled slide until I was off the ice. I absolutely felt the computer system in my SUV doing something to control the sliding and spinning. I can feel it very much in the snow, as well. I'm far from an expert. That's just going to come with time on the road. But I'm finding j actually am enjoying the winter driving. Yeah it's slower but it's a lot more alert and active driving. I've said in the past that I hate long road trips because I just get bored and start nodding off, regardless of amount of rest or caffeine I've had. I'm happy getting out there for 3 hrs with snow and ice, but 2.5 going mostly 80is a fuckin snooze fest.
Got it, got it. lol, that video was the first one I saw of this, and I saw it with no sound. I was like, damn homie just slid it in the driveway! But, then, I saw the video of what happened when the truck disappears behind the house in the first video. Sound on is key.
Passing is the scariest part of winter driving, especially on roads that have not been plowed, and have ruts in them. When you start to change lanes, the tire on the side you're moving will hit some serious forward resistance, which can cause the vehicle to AGGRESSIVELY pull to that side faster, more violently, and more out of control than you expect. I've seen so many cars go in the ditch because they attempt a pass but do not anticipate and handle this behaviour... they just get pulled sideways and then it's too late, and they're off in the ditch. This is a prime reason why defensive driving courses teach you to look where you want to go. When something like this happens, it's way too easy to just watch the train wreck, and then you naturally steer right into it. Look for the hole, look AT the hole, and drive through it... ignore what's going on in front of you until you can see it in the rear view. It's a blast! If you have the skills and the proper equipment, it's a fun challenge that'll let you slide all around without burning out a set of tires.
Yeah.. I saw that and thought "holy fuck that is one big hunk of iron sliding/spinning down that hill". All bets are off on ice. lol
By the way, a good approach to take for passing like this is to be very positive in your turning.. don't just ease into it and try and handle the results, commit to the turn and be firm with the lane change. Same thing goes when racing in the rain. My coach used to say "the car is going to do weird shit, so make the car do what you want it to do before it takes you for a ride... make the car your bitch." When I'd pit from a training run in the rain, his ongoing question was, "well, is the car your bitch yet?" Eventually figured out how to pull that off, and it was game changing.
Yup, slowing down and good winter tires. And practice in sliding in an empty parking lot, it is really good to know how your car handles when it slides.
I have been very slow and gradual with my lane changes, especially when ice is on the menu. So I should do the opposite?
It’s more about being committed and positive with your steering input. Not sharp turns or doing it quickly. Slow and gradual is good, just expect the push back and drive through it with a bit of force and conviction, don’t just wait for the car to figure it out on its own.
Hey folks, I've got a 2015 F150 4x4 and it's making a noise on the driver's side wheel when you turn the steering wheel. The only way I can think to describe it is that it's similar to the noise you would hear if you stuck a playing card in a bicycle wheel. Any idea what this could be? It doesn't seem like it's a wheel bearing because it's either not as loud or it's not happening when the wheel is straight. My guess would be the CV axle, but I'm not sure. If it is the CV axle, would it make sense to do the passenger side as well? The truck has about 120k miles on it. I was planning on replacing the bearings anyway. It also needs to have the timing cover gasket replaced. If any of you have done this before, how difficult is it? The reason I ask is that although I'm handy and have the tools I'm tempted to just take it to a dealership and let them deal with all of this. There is apparently some recall work that needs to be done anyway. Thanks!
Have you actually crawled down there and looked at it? When you say turn the wheel... you mean just putting any turning pressure on it, or when it gets to a certain wheel steering angle? I'd be tempted to jack it up and just pull on the wheel/tire to see if anything moves like it's not supposed to. I have no idea... just bored and throwing it out there...
Fair questions. I believe it gets louder as you turn the wheel. I think it's been doing it for a while and I mistook it as the tires rubbing when fully turned.
As in turn the wheel one way over the other? Does it make the sound all the time? or just when you are turning your wheel? Kind of swerve back and forth down the road, like a continualy S pattern. If goes away during one side, and really loud the other, that would indicate a wheel bearing.
Automotive RANT: Dead battery in the one year old Jeep. Seems to be a common issue with this vehicle. So I'll have to schedule a service tomorrow. Again. This will be the 8th time we've had the car in the shop since we bought it. Twice for the Bluetooth switching back and forth between the car speakers and the handset during phone calls. Still hasn't been resolved. We just don't make calls in the car anymore. Three times for the rear fuse Acc on/off for the rear hatch power outlet. Still hasn't been resolved. Bought a $800 portable Jackery battery for the Dometic instead. One time for the driver's seat separating. Well, twice. Seeing that I had to take it to their preferred interior company on my own time on a different day. One time for a leather defect near the Start button. I had to use my source from the body shop days and get reimbursed as Jeep didn't know how to handle it. Couple times the infotainment screen has shut off and rebooted while driving but I guess I'll just deal with that as they won't be able to replicate it. Every time I Google an issue, it comes up as pretty common so I guess it's just a shitty car. Hands down the worst new(er) car I've ever owned and I've owned a LOT of cars. I'd jump start this piece of shit and trade it in today if the wife would let me. Deprecation be damned.
My truck ended up having an issue with the IWE, which is what engages the 4x4. I ended up taking it to a dealership and it was covered under warranty but they found $800 worth of stuff that wasn't. Water pump and vacuum pump were apparently leaking. Thanks for everyone's help!