Winter Avservations!

[milb440]

Well, FINALLY, we had some decent snow!

Thought this might be a good place to share our observations about Winter in our AVs!

First off, we had about 3 inches of snow, with some ice on the roads as well. My AV did GREAT in all situations - up hills that had skid marks where others had slid off the road, or slid back down, etc... no sliding at all... were it not for the WHITE everywhere, I would not have noticed that it was Winter. (I was in "Auto 4x4" BTW!) So, I am VERY happy with the AVs Winter Performance!

Secondly, the "cladding-style" steps that are so great at any other time were a burden. They collected all of the nasty dirty road crap that the front tires could throw at them... so ya have to be careful not to get your pants dirty when getting in and out!

Finally, the cladding is remarkably easy to clean... a quick trip around the AV at the DIY carwash, and all of the dirty snow and ice came right off!

Any other experiences or observations?

Thanks!

Seven

 

[NJAV]

I'm still a little upset at the lack of snow this past week...I was all excited thinking I had to put the beast in 4x4 to ride the white stuff...and nothing....no problem...just have to wait...

Last year was great with the 1 time of snow we actually seen any accumuliations...the Av left me impressed with it's traction and capabilities...I feel very safe in this truck....

 

[Chief]

I haven't even seen real snow since I lived up in NJ/NY back in '91.

I want to see who posts the first AV photo with NEON glowing over the snow

Hmm ... I wonder when it snows in D/FW

 

[speedraser]

hey wonders, did you have mud flaps to stop the snow and debris from building up on the steps from the front tires?

 

[ShapeShifter]

hey wonders, did you have mud flaps to stop the snow and debris from building up on the steps from the front tires?

Who has these in snowy areas? Do they help?

I also have the steps, and no mud flaps, and the steps sure do collect a lot of snow/slush/salt/dirt. Will the mud flaps keep them clean (or at least cleaner)? Or will they just collect huge fender icebergs and be more of a pain than a help?

Anyone with experience?

Seven, I also am very pleased with the winter performance. It's just started snowing here, and no significant accumulation. However, last year I had several occasions where the snow was deep, the roads where unplowed, and I could hardly tell from the way the truck handled.

I thought the old Blazer did great in the snow (it was my first 4x4) but the Av puts it to shame.

-- SS

 

[dgalarne]

OK, what is decent snow? Last week I travelled from Qu?bec City to the Gasp? region during a snow storm (about 400mi) . They received about 12 inches of snow during the storm, and I would have to call this indecent! My brother in law (he owns a Silverado) and I just plowed our way to our destination without any problems. We both have winter tires. Over the trek, only two trucks (18 wheels) managed to pass us, as we passed about everyone else. Roads were closed in many areas, and we ended up having to take alternate roads to make our way to our destination.

The AV was rock solid with the winter tires and on 4 auto. Did not slide or give a hint of loosing grip. Wonderful feeling.

I also used to own a Blazer (my first 4X4), and the AV does not compare. You feel like you are hooked to the road.

My fear was that with the weight of the AV, I would tend to have the front or rear end get loose around curves, but not at all.

BTW, I also have noticed that slush, snow and dirt accumulate on the running boards. Any information on the mud flaps would help.

 

[olsontru]

No snow here is S. Texas but lots of messy water on the road. Even slowing down to a crawl I would get muddy splashes on the assist steps.
Put mud flaps on last week and am happy to report a much cleaner AV

 

[ShapeShifter]

OK, what is decent snow?

That's decent snow in my book! So far, we've only had an inch or so at a time. Not enough to plow, but enough to spread a lot of salt. Wow, was the truck dirty yesterday! Couldn't tell the difference between the grey cladding and the blue metal! Everything was grey!

-- SS

 

[dmacker]

Here in NE Ohio we have had only a couple of inches on several occassions. I have the running boards and the molded mud guards and have notice no build up on the guards of the running boards. Will have to wait for deeper snow(expected tonight) to check further.

SS,
We're sure going to miss you on this GTG. Enjoy the company party. Catch you next time around.

 

[NJAV]

I haven't even seen real snow since I lived up in NJ/NY back in '91.

I want to see who posts the first AV photo with NEON glowing over the snow

Hmm ... I wonder when it snows in D/FW

If we were to ever get snow like some other parts of the country....the neons would draw a lot of attention...you would probably get a lot of ufo sightings etc.....

 

[milb440]

I have the running boards and the molded mud guards and have notice no build up on the guards of the running boards.


SS,
We're sure going to miss you on this GTG. Enjoy the company party. Catch you next time around.

I second the SS sentiment... ?
Hopefully next time! ?

SS: Thanks for the snow-performance report!
? ? ? That sounds great, and just what I was expecting. ?

THANKS for the mud guard report dmacker! ?

At this moment I do not have the molded guards. I have had them on other vehicles and liked them, but when I bought my AV, I thought for a moment about them, and decided against it, as I like the "high ground clearance" look, and thought they might break the line a little.

However, after having half of the messy road crap in St.C. along for the ride on my steps after the first snow my AV has seen, I think from this point forward, I will LOVE having the molded guards! ?
(I will order them tomorrow, if the parts dept is open!)

Thanks again dmacker! ?

And thanks to EVERYONE for the Winter AV feedback...
I am sure we will have a lot more to report here shortly! ? ?

COME ON SNOW! ?

Seven ?

 

[Boar-Ral]

hey wonders, did you have mud flaps to stop the snow and debris from building up on the steps from the front tires?

They help considerably. I purchased them shortly after I took possession of my Avalanche in January. I grew tired of having to kick off two or three inches of dirty snow from the running boards each time I got to my destination. They are very effective.

 

[NJAV]

They help considerably. ?I purchased them shortly after I took possession of my Avalanche in January. ?I grew tired of having to kick off two or three inches of dirty snow from the running boards each time I got to my destination. ?They are very effective.

I have the same problem as well when in comes to the snow mounds in the wheel wells....somehow I don't think there is truly a fool proof way to avoiding this...even my buddies truck has the guards..and it turns out the same way....

 

[Boar-Ral]

Any other experiences or observations?

Unfortunately, we received snow two weeks ago and it is now all gone. While I appreciate a mild winter, some snow is nice, especially with winter rapidly approaching. (I am located in Alberta, Canada.) It is ironic that in Nevada, the average temperatures over the past two weeks have been lower than here. (Some areas of Calgary reached 17C yesterday. (63F) So much for predispositions.

The last time I drove in any real snow was about the time I wrote the offroading article for the CAFCNA magazine. There are some nice photographs there, but none with neon. If I do not sell my Avalanche in the coming weeks, I may install cold cathode. (I am considering upgrading to a 2003, but am still weighing the pros and cons; I want to make a very informed decision.)

I will try to take some new photographs in the snow when we get some. Possibly if I visit the mountains. We'll see.

 

[Boar-Ral]

I have the same problem as well when in comes to the snow mounds in the wheel wells....somehow I don't think there is truly a fool proof way to avoiding this...even my buddies truck has the guards..and it turns out the same way....

Do what I did: go offroading and accidentally find a sunken trail just a couple inches too narrow and slightly raised along the edges. Takes care of the running boards quickly.

 

[NJAV]

Unfortunately, we received snow two weeks ago and it is now all gone. ?While I appreciate a mild winter, some snow is nice, especially with winter rapidly approaching. ?(I am located in Alberta, Canada.) ?It is ironic that in Nevada, the average temperatures over the past two weeks have been lower than here. ?(Some areas of Calgary reached 17C yesterday. ?(63F) ?So much for predispositions.

The last time I drove in any real snow was about the time I wrote the offroading article for the CAFCNA magazine. ?There are some nice photographs there, but none with neon. ?If I do not sell my Avalanche in the coming weeks, I may install cold cathode. ?(I am considering upgrading to a 2003, but am still weighing the pros and cons; I want to make a very informed decision.)

I will try to take some new photographs in the snow when we get some. ?Possibly if I visit the mountains. ?We'll see.

So what will be the deciding factor for you in deciding to keep or trade in the 02'.....your looking for some not so available option packages....on your 02'...that are on 03' models...

 

[milb440]

...(I am considering upgrading to a 2003, but am still weighing the pros and cons; I want to make a very informed decision.)

For the financial ramifications, see:
Best Price
AND
Trade in Values

Seven

 

[Avrunner]

hey, guys just curious. When you say you brought the mudguards, are they the ones that Chevy offers? and if they are, are they the molded ones or the flat ones? and which one do you think works better?

 

[ShapeShifter]

hey, guys just curious. When you say you brought the mudguards, are they the ones that Chevy offers? and if they are, are they the molded ones or the flat ones? and which one do you think works better?

A good question. I was assuming the discussion was about the GM molded mud flaps, the ones that look like and blend in with the cladding.

Hopefully, that's the ones that the other people are talking about. I know those are the ones that dmacker was talking about.

As far as which ones "work" better, I would guess they're all pretty much the same, but I have no experience with any of them. The molded shure do look better, however.

-- SS

 

[NJAV]

A good question. I was assuming the discussion was about the GM molded mud flaps, the ones that look like and blend in with the cladding.

Hopefully, that's the ones that the other people are talking about. I know those are the ones that dmacker was talking about.

As far as which ones "work" better, I would guess they're all pretty much the same, but I have no experience with any of them. The molded shure do look better, however.

-- SS

Yes these were the one's I was thinking of as well also...they seem to be a pretty sturdy guard compared to others I've seen at various aftermarket distributors etc...they seem worth the money, and in some areas of the country they are almost a must..

 

[Boar-Ral]

So what will be the deciding factor for you in deciding to keep or trade in the 02'.....your looking for some not so available option packages....on your 02'...that are on 03' models...

The biggest reason thus far I know as fact: a wider centre console. It is much easier to install a 12.1" LCD display in a 2003 centre console than in a 2002 centre console. Both may require fibreglass work, but the 2003's 'face' where the cubbies are is removable, so I may be able to just fibreglass that part. On the 2002, I need to fibreglass the entire front portion of the centre console.

There are other smaller reasons to trade-in, but in the end, it all comes down to money. I may try to sell my Avalanche here, but I do not know many locals here on the forums that do not already have an Avalanche, and others are not always happy with having to ship a vehicle. (I have considered driving it to the eventual destination, but it all depends.)

So that kind of answers your question.

 

[Boar-Ral]

For the financial ramifications, see:
Best Price
AND
Trade in Values

I have looked into both of those threads. Unfortunately, at the end of the day, it all comes down to what one is willing to swallow financially. It upsets me to see some of the local dealership selling used 2002 Avalanches with 5,000 - 10,000 miles on them for $1,500 less than what I paid for mine new - and these used ones are not even fully loaded, whereas mine is. I wish I could get a deal like that, from the dealership's end. That is why I am considering private sale. I could beat the dealership's price by a decent margin and only swallow a bit of depreciation. Then both myself and the buyer are happy.

 

[pdxkevin]

I...Or will they just collect huge fender icebergs and be more of a pain than a help?

I have been away from Minnesota so long I forgot all about fender-bergs. Thanks for the good memory.

I can't wait only a couple weeks before we head up into the mountains for a Christmas tree and some sledding. Since they don't salt the roads out here (thank God) I like having a little splash wash up the sides a bit.

Clearance is an issue in the city! Last winter I had to jump a curb and go up a short hill to avoid being sideswiped. (That was pre-AV) the curb was about 12" and the hill went up about another 2 feet to a parkinglot. Without clearance I would have been stuck on the road as an soccor mom in her volvo slid through a stop sign from a side street. She racked her front passanger side tire on the curb. Her car bounced pretty good.

So remember be defensive and just becasue it isn't paved doesn't mean you can't go there to avoid an accident.

 

[Boar-Ral]

So remember be defensive and just becasue it isn't ?paved doesn't mean you can't go there to avoid an accident.

Defensive driving has helped many times in the past. I have gotten myself into a couple of bad situations in the past, but usually it is the fault of someone else not driving as they should given the conditions. (The first big snowfall of the year is usually bad. Last winter I was following a new Mustang down the freeway and when we went over a patch of ice, his rear end slid out and then the entire car went sideways into the concrete wall along the freeway. Of course he is still sticking out into the lane and now slowing down really fast - faster than I could. Fortunately, just as I was about to slide in behind the car, the driver pulled it off the wall and must have seen me coming up quickly because he switched lanes again, so now I could go off the road, but fortunately I stayed off the wall. We both slid around a bit and then kept on going. Poor Mustang though. )

While you cannot always tell what is beneath the snow, dad has taught me that it is sometimes your best bet when you need to slow down quickly, when your alternative is worse than the possibility of ice beneath the snow. (i.e. You're already on glare ice and cannot stop.) I have seen many small accidents that could have been prevented if people snugged over and got the wheels on the snow between ruts on the road, pavement or non-pavement.)

Defensive driving is one of the most important things to learn. My mother and sister have been in a couple minor accidents. (Well, my mother was in two major ones.) The worst accidents were not their fault, but some of the minor ones could have been avoided if they listened to dad a bit more. )

(The funniest.. well.. sort of funniest.. accident was when mom was driving their 1978 Thunderbird and an Aerostar blew through a red light, t-boning the car. The radiator, engine, and several other important parts dropped out of the Aerostar, yet mom was able to drive the car off the freeway and into a parking lot. The funniest part is that the people driving the Aerostar worked for the dealership and were delivering it to the new owner. )

 

[milb440]

...The funniest part is that the people driving the Aerostar worked for the dealership and were delivering it to the new owner. )

The key word here being "workED"

Lucky for Mom that it wasn't an AV that tagged her!
(Thank goodness!)

Seven