Heavy Snow Reveals Weak Spots in Fake SUVs and Your Favorite Drivers

Many drivers have had to remember or learn that only constant four-wheel drive, fairly large ground clearance, lockable gearboxes, and good winter tires guarantee true traction. In short, not having to worry about an uncleaned road home is only possible with a real SUV.

Another problem has arisen. Since winters resembled spring, drivers forgot the ability to drive on slippery surfaces and the younger ones never had to acquire them. The only saving grace is that modern cars are equipped with auxiliary systems that mitigate the consequences of reckless and inaccurate actions.

Large – not necessarily passable

Racer Antanas Juknevičius, who ranked 23rd at the Dakar in 2021, is taking advantage of a real SUV this winter. There is a hamlet near the capital and although the road to it is usually dirty, even a layer of snow of half a meter for a car with a higher step is not an obstacle. Even a steep hill near the house is easy to cross, but guests fail.

“People are surprised that my car’s wheels and my car’s wheels are driving, but what a difference! No matter how many wheel drive, no slower gear, no ground clearance and other benefits, it won’t drive. meters through the snow and you will stop ”, he commented.

A. Juknevičius noted that with the increased demand for larger cars, many companies began to produce urban SUVs. These models usually have a non-permanent four-wheel drive and a slightly taller body, but give the impression of good traction.

“In real conditions, with such cars, not only will it not be possible to get to the farm in winter, but you can also get stuck in good dirt. That is why those who understand the differences in options choose real SUVs, and with a model like the Defender, they can go further than anyone, ”said the SUV enthusiast.

You are surprised by the habit of some drivers to save on tires. According to the driver, even the best SUV with worn tires or out of season will not move. They don’t even have to be the most expensive, just choose a fairly high quality.

Advises to work with a shovel

According to A. Juknevičius, this year it has not snowed enough in Lithuania that a car like the Land Rover Defender cannot pass. The model with suspension airbags not only travels comfortably, but also its height adjustable ground clearance can be increased from 218 to 291 mm in difficult conditions.

To make sure that the wheels do not spin and the car rolls out of place in any situation, the most important indicator is the developed torque. All Land Rover models call the high-performance benchmark SUV, not just the Defender, but also the Evoque or Velar.

According to A. Juknevičius, it is possible to get out of a parking spot that has become a semi-detached one without a real SUV just by working sincerely with a shovel. Rejected work can have the opposite effect and it will eventually take twice as long to free the car.

“The car may stall or stall as soon as it moves forward, and then it will be much more difficult to clear the road, there will be no clearance, you will have to dig under the bottom. Therefore, first you need to dig a little more in the direction in the one that’s going to go. If you can speed up a bit, you’ll probably go, “advised A. Juknevičius.

The characteristics of the Defender were also appreciated by journalists from the Baltic countries: in Lithuania and Latvia, it became the SUV of the year and took second place in the Estonian car of the year choice.

Advantageous help

A. Juknevičius likes the new Land Rover Defender because this model meets the needs of not only experienced off-road enthusiasts, but also ordinary drivers. The former and without intelligent systems will know how to make the most of the car, and the latter will help in every situation.

“And it’s very easy to use (pressing the winter mode button maximizes ground clearance, activates differential lock, anti-tip systems) and you can drive forward in peace. Now everyone knows how to use smartphones, so there will be no problems with an SUV of this type, “joked the pilot.

Land Rover models will benefit from the Terrain Response system for many years to come. This is a patented device that allows the driver to select the driving mode according to the road surface. The new Terrain Response 2 systems even automatically select the most important parameters based on the surface to be covered.

Until now, the driver has the option to choose a specific setting, for example, when the snow mode is activated, the slope, the coefficient of adhesion, the longitudinal inclination of the car, the ambient temperature and all indicators ensure a grip are evaluated. optimal even on extremely slippery surfaces.

In various situations, the Defender can also be assisted by ClearSight Ground View technology, which shows what is right in front of the front wheels on the center display. Normally, this image is obscured by the hood, and with this system, even without going outside, the chances of obstructing something in front of the car are reduced, so this system is useful when parking.

Everyone chooses their own speed

Breaking through snow and ice shouldn’t be too rushed. As rally racer Karolis Raišys noted, with a lower grip, slippage can often be caused simply by jerky movements. According to him, this is especially true for tense and less experienced drivers.

“We need to anticipate as much action as possible, that is, look beyond normal conditions. If you are already in a situation where you need to avoid an obstacle, be careful, do not turn the wheel too suddenly, do not step on the full throttle ”, advised the interlocutor.

According to him, it is necessary to drive on a slippery surface at a speed that does not put pressure on the driver himself. For those around who want to drive faster, the racer advised not to pay attention, their self-confidence does not necessarily match actual abilities.

“The speed limit signs indicate the maximum speed allowed and not the safe speed for that day and specific conditions. The habits that have developed in a winter like this must be forgotten, because the situation is completely different, ”said the pilot.

K. Raišys likes to drive old cars without electronic auxiliaries, mostly light models with mechanical gearboxes and good response. And in heavier modern vehicles, auxiliary systems and a necessary attribute for it.

“Electronics help a lot and I would say without it in a modern car it would be difficult. The smarter and smarter you are, the easier it will be for all drivers. Even their skills are irrelevant, only modern cars are designed differently, ”he said.