Experienced the false sense of security that AWD provides years ago, when the XC first came out. Rented one from Hertz in Burlington, VT during a snow storm, and there were a couple of times that the AWD masked the lack of traction in the wet, heavy snow...and I was all over the ABS trying to stop the car.
At that time, I was living in Colorado and had 4 Conti snow tires on my MB...and that old thing would outperform every SUV with All-seasons when the snow hit. The XC's AWD just masked the lack of traction and provided an utterly false sense of security...sure you can get going...but you don't crash because you can't get going...you crash because you can't stop or turn...
There is such a huge difference in snow performance between All-seasons (which is a terribly mis-leading label...) and dedicated winter tires, but most people have not experienced it. There is a reason that Germany requires 4 (not 2) dedicated winter tires from Nov 1 to Apr 1...it's the law there...here, we're free to be ignorant, or stupid...
I know, I know...another rant from Astro...I need another cup of coffee this morning...
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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