First Snow

[glennf1]

We just had our first snow here in VA and it was the first time I've had the H2 in it. Man it did great! I think a lot of people forget that these are actually full time all wheel drive. I could go from the snow to pavement and back with no problems yet I saw the trucks around me having to go back to 2WD. You really don't see AWD trucks... another great reason the H2 is a rarity!

[guruerror]

Where in VA are you that you've got snow? I'm in the DC metro area and nothing but a light dusting last week.

Oh...and it's 4WD (locking differentials, HI/LO-range gears, etc.)...Subaru's and CR-Vs are AWD.

[pdxrealtor]

Where in VA are you that you've got snow? I'm in the DC metro area and nothing but a light dusting last week.

Oh...and it's 4WD (locking differentials, HI/LO-range gears, etc.)...Subaru's and CR-Vs are AWD.

Isn't the H2 all wheel drive in standard drive mode? Pretty sure it is.....

[PaHumBug]

They are full time 4wd, not awd. tomato, tamato...

[guruerror]

It's the fact that the H2 has a lockable transfer case with HI/LO gears and the ability to lock the rear dif that makes it 4WD and not AWD. If none of these features were in the system and the computer (traction control) was the only thing distributing the torque, then 'yes' you'd have an AWD Hummer. It's the fact that the features are there (engaged or not) that makes the main difference.

...at least as far as I've researched and understand.

[pdxrealtor]

So on snow pack is there a need to put it in 4hi? I sometimes do because it makes me feel better. I alway drive the same with it on or off though, so it's hard to tell if its doing anything.

All my snow driving is on the mountain pass roads so there's really no place to put control to the test.

[guruerror]

So on snow pack is there a need to put it in 4hi? I sometimes do because it makes me feel better. I alway drive the same with it on or off though, so it's hard to tell if its doing anything.

All my snow driving is on the mountain pass roads so there's really no place to put control to the test.
That's a good question...I can't really speak to which is truly better in snow. Trying to get traction in a slippery mess is different that trying to get traction on a dry, obstacle-ridden terrain. Judging from my experiences, the level of control and amount of traction feel about the same between the two in snow; so I generally roll with everything unlocked.

Thinking about it, I guess I feel 'better' with the truck unlocked in snow...that way the computer and the TC are controlling the torque, allowing it to adjust and compensate as needed. Like I said...slippery is different; on terrain you can judge what and where you need the torque to get traction...but slippery is just slippery and unpredictable and can screw you in a heartbeat.

[H2ummer]

From Hummer...
The integrated Borg-Warner two-speed electrically controlled full-time 4WD system is capable of further reducing the vehicle's gear ratios by 2.64:1 when necessary, for highly controlled obstacle climbing. It provides a 40/60 percent front-to-rear torque split in "High Open" mode or when the differentials are unlocked and a 50/50 percent front-to-rear power split when the transfer case differential is locked.

1) A high-range open or "4 HI Open" for normal, everyday driving on dry road surfaces at any speeds.

2) A high-range lock or "4 HI Locked" for semi-slippery surfaces like snow, light sand or wet areas, such as those around a boat launch; this selection locks the front and rear output shafts together, so their wheels rotate at exactly the same speed

[Z06RB]

From Hummer...
The integrated Borg-Warner two-speed electrically controlled full-time 4WD system is capable of further reducing the vehicle's gear ratios by 2.64:1 when necessary, for highly controlled obstacle climbing. It provides a 40/60 percent front-to-rear torque split in "High Open" mode or when the differentials are unlocked and a 50/50 percent front-to-rear power split when the transfer case differential is locked.

1) A high-range open or "4 HI Open" for normal, everyday driving on dry road surfaces at any speeds.

2) A high-range lock or "4 HI Locked" for semi-slippery surfaces like snow, light sand or wet areas, such as those around a boat launch; this selection locks the front and rear output shafts together, so their wheels rotate at exactly the same speed

Thanks for the info.

[pdxrealtor]

From Hummer...
The integrated Borg-Warner two-speed electrically controlled full-time 4WD system is capable of further reducing the vehicle's gear ratios by 2.64:1 when necessary, for highly controlled obstacle climbing. It provides a 40/60 percent front-to-rear torque split in "High Open" mode or when the differentials are unlocked and a 50/50 percent front-to-rear power split when the transfer case differential is locked.

1) A high-range open or "4 HI Open" for normal, everyday driving on dry road surfaces at any speeds.

2) A high-range lock or "4 HI Locked" for semi-slippery surfaces like snow, light sand or wet areas, such as those around a boat launch; this selection locks the front and rear output shafts together, so their wheels rotate at exactly the same speed


Great info.... thx!!