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Ice Pelllets/Sleet !! No problem!

2K views 12 replies 8 participants last post by  Dave in Pa 
#1 ·
So here in S.E.Pa. for hours we have been getting sleet/ice pellets, temp is around 25 degrees, no plowing and it isn't melting. It is the consistency of a snow cone and not clear glare ice. Anyway, second season with the Hankook I Pikes and coming home on back roads 20 minutes ago I did some "experimenting"! I already know it will go through 14 inches of unplowed powder, done that, and honestly I had to work at it tonite to break the tires loose. Braking, turning, etc. it just WANTS to stay straight and also stop. With dedicated winter tires this is a vehicle that can handle most anything except glare ice which I would not attempt anyway. For anyone that is doubting this vehicle's capability, with the right tires it is probably the best 4x4 I have ever driven. :thumbsup: Dave
 
#3 ·
I'm in PA too, Dave. Near State College. Lots of snowcone ice and a deep crust of freezing rain on top of that. I have Bridgestone Blizzaks on my Grand Cherokee and it just goes and goes and goes! And stops when I want it to stop. I saw cars sliding all over the mountain roads this morning when I drove the 18 miles into my office. But I had no problems at all. I agree with you. With the dedicated winter tires, it is the most capable winter vehicle I have ever had.
 
#8 ·
Mark: Ah yes, my daughter went to Penn State 8/9 years ago, kept taking my chevy 4x4 pickup with her! I can see that area (outskirts) being a tremendous challenge if road crews cannot stay on top of it. Did I here today on the radio that they CLOSED the college campus because of all the ice etc? Wow if they did it must have been bad! Glad you got the GC with Blizzaks! :thumbsup: Dave
 
#4 ·
It was "interesting" driving up I95 and I476 last night on my way home from DC...but "really interesting" once I got into Bucks County off the highway. Inches thick slush...but I made it home with no issues.
 
#5 ·
This is my first year with dedicated winter tires. I will never ever go through another winter without these. Folks that never owned winter tires have no idea what they are missing. I mounted them on a second set of 17' wheels that I painted myself using duplicolor bedliner.

Can't wait to put my 20' Altitude wheels back on though. :)
 
#6 ·
Did any of you see the recent "Top Gear-UK" where they raced full sized Ford and Chevy pickups up a mountain in the Canadian Rockies in winter? I was impressed by the snow capability of these 500hp trucks. And they almost made it to the top! Ford lost a tire and Chevy lost a driveshaft!
 
#7 ·
UPhill is reasonably easy, typically all you need to do is take your foot off the gas.
DOWNhill is a much better test of the vehicle, tires, and driver.

The GC with a hemi and studs will do a very impressive launch on glare ice. If the ice is pretty even and there are no bumps/etc. on the road surface, it will be a very impressive straight line launch.


[ObDisclaimer: The poster does not advocate any engaging in exhibitions of speed or other tomfoolery on public roads--that's my story and I'm sticking to it]
 
#12 ·
This was last winter (2013-2014) after a drive through a rain/sleet storm from the Twin Cities to Central Wisconsin.

Had to keep the HVAC at 75 degrees and set to blow on the windshield (with the moonroof in vent position) to keep the windshield clear.

There was at least 3/4" of ice buildup on the radio antenna.
 

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#13 ·
Wow!! Not nice! As some say, "ice belongs in cocktails"! As others on here have posted, I think the one weak link is the wiper/defroster/buildup issues, it does sucketh! You have to put so much heat out the defrost that you can get uncomfortable in the car. Heated wipers or windshield bottom portion or something!! I put the Bosch Icons on and like them but the position of the wipers is so low on the windshield! Arrgghh:mad: Dave
 
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