Just got my 2012 CM this summer and it snowed for the first time since I bought it. This is the first vehicle in 22 years that is NOT all wheel drive. It's also the first pickup I have owned. I knew that it wasn't going to be great in 2 wheel, but I had no idea it was going to be this bad! My other vehicle is a FJ Manual transmission with all wheel drive and duratracs on it. It's very difficult to get that to break free. In the tundra it was nearly impossible for me to get going from a stop and not get the traction control to light up. I almost had to put it in 4 wheel drive to get into my neighborhood that has a hill at the entrance so shallow I didn't even know it was up hill until now. My wife thought I was kidding around. I had to show her the light on the dash and slowly touch the gas to prove I wasn't messing around with her. Once in 4 wheel drive it did great. Not as good as the FJ, but I had no complaints. Makes me want to put duratracs on the tundra now. Going between the two vehicles I can honestly say that I love all wheel drive in the snow. I know that I can switch to 4 wheel drive, but there are so many times where the road is very patchy. Its dry for a while, then slick patches. Pull into a hilly neighborhood and its all snow, but then back on the main street it's dry. When it comes to switching back and forth, how often is too often?
Yeah for real, I'll never get used to the sensitive throttle tip in. People riding with me think I'm showing off but I just don't have the right-foot fitness. Doesn't help that there is barely any recoil to our pedals
You have lots of power and no weight over the drive wheels. Go to Home Depot, Lowes, Ace, etc, get about 400 lbs of sand bags, put them over the rear axle, and you'll see a drastic improvement.
-Someone who drove a 2WD Isuzu pickup with a rear end so light it could be lifted by 2 16 year olds in the Colorado winter snow for a couple of years.
I'm coming from a honda ridgeline too and I'm sure I'll have to get used to 4wd vs awd the honda had. I'll buy some sand bags and be good I hope lol.
You can use the 4wd on wet roads cant you? Biggest thing is to make sure your tires get rotated enough to keep them wearing the same. Just regret making a sharp turn! lol
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2012 5.7 DC Black on Black SR5-tow-off road.
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I'm coming from a honda ridgeline too and I'm sure I'll have to get used to 4wd vs awd the honda had. I'll buy some sand bags and be good I hope lol.
You can use the 4wd on wet roads cant you? Biggest thing is to make sure your tires get rotated enough to keep them wearing the same. Just regret making a sharp turn! lol
For potentially slippery roads, press the VSC button 1 time and the Auto LSD will engage. The LSD function actually works great in these types of situations.
Use 4WD in the snow, sand, and mud.
__________________ 2011 DC Rock Warrior
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As mentioned above, a couple hundred pounds right back by the tailgate makes a BIG difference. If you're in deep snow or on a steep grade use 4wd.
The only real difference with 4wd compared to Awd is that you cannot use 4wd on dry roads. 4WD Simplified Version 4.0
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What tires do you have on it? if yours is a non TRD truck and it comes with those crappy all season Bridgestone Passenger Car tires you need to dump them. They are about as aggressive as the tread on my last set of running shoes and when I got rid of mine it made a big difference.
__________________ Slow drivers and people who nap at green lights steal precious time from my life that I never get back. They should pay extra registration feels and sales taxes on their vehicles and the government should cut me a check out of that pot based on my hourly wage. If they do this I would gladly sit at the green light behind the lady checking her hair, adjusting the radio, applying makeup, talking on the phone, or daydreaming all day without a complaint.
You don't want it by the tailgate, you want it over the axle. When it's over the axle it's adding that much weight to the rear wheels. When you have it by the tailgate it adds slightly more to the rear wheels, but also slightly unloads the front wheels. Probably not enough to notice but just to be on the safe side...
Wrider is right, over the axle for the best results. I keep 4-5 sand bags roughly 50lbs a peice in the back. If you add much more you will see a significant amount of sag in the tail end. if your truck is stock that is fine, but not so fine when your lifted or leveled and driving in snow/ice.
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Remember! We're slow but we're sloppy.
I drive mine back and forth 150 miles over two 11k foot mountain passes to work during the winter. I use 4WD maybe a dozen times. The traction control and good tires are all you need.
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2011 DC Rock Warrior 
