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I have noticed some articles on the increased sales of SUVs since the storms. Mentioned are various models without apparent differentiations between AWD (All Wheel Drive) and 4WD (4-Wheel drive). Maybe a primer on the differences would be apropos in a future article. I have a GMC Envoy SUV that has selectable 2WD, AWD, 4WD Hi and 4WD Lo with an automatic locking rear axle. After the first storm, I had parked in the street (so I wouldn’t have to get out of the alley) and my SUV was plowed in. I did a little shoveling, enough that I thought I should be able to drive out. I couldn’t move, just spun the tires. Then I realized I was in AWD, I switched it to 4WD and it walked right out of the snow bank. AWD seems to work best in general driving on icy and snow packed roads, but once one is stuck; there is nothing like 4WD to extricate oneself. I also helped a neighbor trying to move an Audi sedan with AWD that was stuck in the intersection where there was a dip for runoff, same thing; she couldn’t move, just spun. My neighbor asked if he could try driving it, she said yes and after spinning it he noticed that the Audi had some kind of a “traction control” system that was on, he turned it off and the Audi moved out like it was on clear pavement. Not sure why, but maybe an article on these nuances would help the public decide on what type of drive train they should be looking for in an SUV, since they are definitely not all created equal. Also, maybe a primer on how to best utilize what we already own would be helpful. Happy trails!!!

Carl Paschke
Highlands Ranch

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