I used to work in Sales Applications Engineering for a couple of major truck manufacturers who manufacture commercial and off-road trucks. Running CDL in the snow is not an issue under the following:

- Same front and diff ratios (assuming you have not made modifications to the diffs)
- Same sized front and rear tires
- You are running in the appropriate Hi or Lo CDL at appropriate speeds

Tire wear under CDL mode may be relatively greater due to a higher level of tire scrub when making turns with four wheels in locked mode. It will depend on the interaction between the type of surface (i.e., rolling resistance) versus the footprint (i.e., foot print size, tire compound, etc).

It is important to ensure the final front tire and rear tire speeds are the same or within a 1% to 2% difference. The 1% to 2% "speed mismatch" is an industry standard. Anything greater may result in steering stability, uneven tire wear, inconsistent gearing wear, etc.

Spike555 was correct when he mentioned "with the CDL locked the front end pulls and helps keep you from fishtailing while taking off from a stop or making turns." Having CDL will provide greater startability and gradeability in lower rolling resistance driving conditions such as gravel, snow and ice.

 

Don't get me wrong. I still keep my eyes peeled for the 04 shifter and plan on putting it in but until then, my TC has a CDL and I'm going to put it to use.

 

I tried out my CDL in the snow for the first time today. Driving in about 6" of snow on a steep off road trail. Really makes a night and day difference. Land Rover should still be embarrassed for leaving this out of the Discovery 2 models. It should be the first mod anyone should do if you ever leave the pavement.

 

They only left it out of the NAS versions because after much research they found out American's never took their trucks off road.
Same reason they eliminated the engine oil cooler, didn't need it because Americans never worked their trucks hard enough to warrant the extra parts.

 

Spike - When did LR eliminate the engine oil cooler in the Discovery line?