Well...
Interesting question....and interesting circumstances...
If you had snow tires...the limit is pretty high. I have driven long distances in snow in Vermont in a 2WD Volvo 850 through snow deep enough to drag the undercarriage and oil pan...but that's with true snow tires...
I am with all the others...choose the vehicle with the best tires. Deepest tread is best for snow. Softer rubber and more siping best for ice.
Just be sure you understand..."best" on ice still isn't even close to good in an absolute sense...it can take 10 times more distance to stop on ice than on dry pavement.
Your worries are twofold:
1. that AWD masks how poor the traction is and you get going fast enough to lose control
2. that other drivers can't stop and hit you.
I understand the pressure you feel to be open, but how much customer traffic will there be in your store? Is that reward worth the risk you're taking in driving?
Here in Norfolk, we close the military bases in weather like this and only have "mission-essential personnel" report. Are you really mission-essential? Is the mission really worth the risk?
Be careful out there.
Last edited by Astro14; 01-09-2011 at 05:27 PM.
Reason: thought
Current Fleet:
2016 Tundra Crewmax 4WD 1794
2005 MB S600 (126K, Michelin AS4, HPL 0W40)
2005 MB SL600 (55K Michelin AS4, Mobil 1 0W40)
2004 V70R (143K, six speed M66, HPL 5W40)
2004 XC90 (235K, HPL 0W30 Euro)
2002 V70-XC (295K, HPL 0W30 Euro)
2002 V70-T5 (225K, IPD bars, Bilsteins)
2001 V70-T5 (125K, IPD downpipe, cat back and other mods)
1932 Packard Sedan (straight 8, dual sidemounts, original paint and interior, Shell Rotella 15W40)
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