Is it best to have CDL engaged for driving on snow and Ice?

Thank you,
Willie

 

depends.. if there is any chance of any wheels slipping, and you aren't going fast and turning much then yes

 

It has been packed snow and ice around here for a few days.

Willie

 

Sorry this may seem like a stupid question but what is CDL?

If you're talking about the high/low gear feature I've left mine in neutral since I bought the truck... should I be using one of the other settings for winter driving?

 

Ryan, they are talking the t/case by shifting into one of the lock positions.

As for wether or not to use it.
I have driven for 40 plus miles on snow and ice, with lots of extra traction and stopping power.
As long as you are on some sort of a damp, icey, snow covered road it will help and not hurt the t/case.
Tight turns on dry surfaces is what causes the problems.
By the way 30 to 50 MPH is no problem on the snow/ice.

 

Willie - I lock my CDL anytime there is enough ice and snow on the road to allow the tires to slip a little bit. Using the CDL on dry roads could cause the drive lines to bind, especially in a turn, and cause something to break. Locking the CDL is pretty much the same as engaging four wheel drive on a normal part time 4x4 system. That is the general rule I go by and it seems to work.

Ryan - I think if you look at your shifter you will find that yours is actually in the Hi unlocked position, not neutral. The transfer case in neutral will not allow any power to the driveshafts and therefore your vehicle will not move. Since you have an 04, you have CDL (center differential lock) and you can lock that in on snowy and icy roads for extra traction. In the unlocked position power is sent to the axle with the least resistance or traction. When you lock the CDL the power is split evenly between the front and rear axles.

 

To add to what AK said...the CDL is a use it or lose it, if you do not use the CDL shifter once a month it will seize up and it will never work.

 

Okay so for driving on snowy/icy road conditions I'd put the vehicle into neutral and then shift the CDL into low gear 4x4? or low gear awd? what's the difference b/w them?

 

Ok, LR's are full time four wheel drive NOT all wheel drive.
If you shift into low gear your top speed will be 35MPH.
What you want to do is stop, take your foot off the brake and while rolling with your foot OFF the gas pedal shift the Hi-Lo shifter towards you, so from the right to the left, that is Hi locked.
A little light will come on on the dash that looks like fout wheels and axles and driveshafts with a "X" in the middle of it, that means that you are not locked.
You can now drive around all you want on slippery roads, sand, mud, etc.

 

Thanks Spike.