Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Are four wheel drive vehicles better because they're safer?

Nerys · 05-17-2008, 10:32 PM

Even driving in regular snow is a big deal for regular cars (FWD has a distinct advantage here) My brother was PO'd when he tried to go somewhere in his car and could not even get out of our street. I get in the jeep and just "go" :-) boy did that make him mad.

Slowing and Turning is also not a problem for a 4wd UNLESS you drive them outside of there operating envelope

If your doing 40mph in snow and want to stop in 200 feet FORGET IT. Just not going to happen. Thats driver error not 4wd problem.

Turning 4wd is better I get the same "pull me out" of it that you get with your FWD. Its actually very hard to SPIN a 4wd. you have to either be brain dead or try hard. I know I tried :-) I have to use the ebrake to "brake" the spin and keep the wheel tight if I lighten up on the wheel the front wheels immediately "pull" me out of the spin.

Most people do not buy 4wd because it has 4wd they buy it because they want the "truck" styling that they get with the 4wd. Once they see options and the price difference its silly to get the 2wd when its so cheap to keep the 4wd option.

Some like the 4x4 logo. So what thats there thing. AS LONG AS THEY ARE SAFE with them !!!

For safety getting around town I would always take my jeep over a compact car. Its safer more comfortable and with minimal penalty over the civic. your "typical" civic ie non modded non hypermiled gets around 35mpg. I get 25+mpg in my cherokee.

And I fit :-) Another advantage of 4wd vehicles and vans (hence why I tend to own those kinds of cars) is head room.

I want a Diesel VW so badly I can taste it but the ONLY one I can physically own is also the only one I can not afford. The beetle. Golf Rabbit whats the other one??? I forget anyway I do not fit. I literally can not "sit" straight in them. My head ends about 2 inches above the ceiling :-) The beetle I fit with 1 inch clearance but alas it also tends to sell for DOUBLE the others (jetta thats it :-)

That Sucks. :-)

Now granted I am not your average driver. I tow 7,000 pound trailers. I 4wheel. I tke long trips I drive a lot I am very tall. for me an econobox just can not work as my ONLY car (I want one badly as a daily driver I want one of those little 3cyl metro SOOO badly and I FIT !! I found one locally and confirmed I fit (alas it was 4cyl not what I want) I want that solid 50+mpg highway!!!

My favorite vehicles is my 92 Clubwagon. over 5000 pounds giant extended length van. The drivers seat is more comfortable than a couch :-) and I have 2 fists head room :-) (ever hit a bump and thump your noggen? I have :-) not in the Club :-)

Its also so tall that I can actually sit "straight up" 90' erect back angle. Feet perfect 90/90 angle dangle. No fatigue. I have driven 18 hours straight in this and its wonderful.

Sadly it sucks down gas at a rate of 15mpg :-( Ouch. $125 to fill the tank (35 gallons)

I CAN NOT WAIT till 2015. This is the first vehicle I will convert to electric. Stuff 10-12 of those E95's in the back :-)

05-17-2008, 10:32 PM	#53 (permalink)
Nerys Grrr :-) Join Date: May 2008 Location: Levittown PA Posts: 800 Cherokee - '88 Jeep Cherokee 90 day: 19.44 mpg (US) Ryo-Ohki - '94 Geo Metro Xfi 90 day: 50.15 mpg (US) Vger 2 - '00 Plymouth Grand Voyager SE Ninja - '89 Geo Tracker 90 day: 30.27 mpg (US) Thanks: 12 Thanked 31 Times in 25 Posts	Even driving in regular snow is a big deal for regular cars (FWD has a distinct advantage here) My brother was PO'd when he tried to go somewhere in his car and could not even get out of our street. I get in the jeep and just "go" :-) boy did that make him mad. Slowing and Turning is also not a problem for a 4wd UNLESS you drive them outside of there operating envelope If your doing 40mph in snow and want to stop in 200 feet FORGET IT. Just not going to happen. Thats driver error not 4wd problem. Turning 4wd is better I get the same "pull me out" of it that you get with your FWD. Its actually very hard to SPIN a 4wd. you have to either be brain dead or try hard. I know I tried :-) I have to use the ebrake to "brake" the spin and keep the wheel tight if I lighten up on the wheel the front wheels immediately "pull" me out of the spin. Most people do not buy 4wd because it has 4wd they buy it because they want the "truck" styling that they get with the 4wd. Once they see options and the price difference its silly to get the 2wd when its so cheap to keep the 4wd option. Some like the 4x4 logo. So what thats there thing. AS LONG AS THEY ARE SAFE with them !!! For safety getting around town I would always take my jeep over a compact car. Its safer more comfortable and with minimal penalty over the civic. your "typical" civic ie non modded non hypermiled gets around 35mpg. I get 25+mpg in my cherokee. And I fit :-) Another advantage of 4wd vehicles and vans (hence why I tend to own those kinds of cars) is head room. I want a Diesel VW so badly I can taste it but the ONLY one I can physically own is also the only one I can not afford. The beetle. Golf Rabbit whats the other one??? I forget anyway I do not fit. I literally can not "sit" straight in them. My head ends about 2 inches above the ceiling :-) The beetle I fit with 1 inch clearance but alas it also tends to sell for DOUBLE the others (jetta thats it :-) That Sucks. :-) Now granted I am not your average driver. I tow 7,000 pound trailers. I 4wheel. I tke long trips I drive a lot I am very tall. for me an econobox just can not work as my ONLY car (I want one badly as a daily driver I want one of those little 3cyl metro SOOO badly and I FIT !! I found one locally and confirmed I fit (alas it was 4cyl not what I want) I want that solid 50+mpg highway!!! My favorite vehicles is my 92 Clubwagon. over 5000 pounds giant extended length van. The drivers seat is more comfortable than a couch :-) and I have 2 fists head room :-) (ever hit a bump and thump your noggen? I have :-) not in the Club :-) Its also so tall that I can actually sit "straight up" 90' erect back angle. Feet perfect 90/90 angle dangle. No fatigue. I have driven 18 hours straight in this and its wonderful. Sadly it sucks down gas at a rate of 15mpg :-( Ouch. $125 to fill the tank (35 gallons) I CAN NOT WAIT till 2015. This is the first vehicle I will convert to electric. Stuff 10-12 of those E95's in the back :-)