I pretty much quit leaving the house during icy, snowy conditions. It seems like we don't get much snow anymore, in my area! The blacktop road that I have to use, has a banked corner about three miles from me. That corner , when covered with snow, is like a pileup magnet. No matter what you drive, you cannot get past the traffic jam that is always there. I hit that banked turn at around 30-35 mph, and never have a problem. Most folks will go to slow, then just slide right down in the ditch!

You still must know how to drive....

You have to know how to drive on slick roads, you only learn by experience. If there isn't a lot of snow I'll run a front wheel drive anytime. I drive a Kia and my wife drives a Toyota both FWD. I leave the 4 wheel drive at home unless we have a lot of snow on the road. We run studded tires go slow and watch out for idiots.

Live in a small town and use chains JMO

Slick roads? People here can't drive in the sunshine!

I do a few donuts out in front of the driveway every morning to get a feel for the road conditions.
A snowmachine or other weight in the back will do wonders for your traction,but not always.

how much difference would chains make? I remember when I was in school and we got out early, we always had to wait for the janitors to get chains on the buses. Seems like then everyone had chains as well. Of course the vehicles were built like tanks back in the 70s.

With the elevation changes around here, I'll take the 4WD every time.

You gotta slow down and leave enough room to stop . Good tires are a big help. I run snow tires on my front wheel drive cars and all terrains on 4wd truck.. Push snow with the bumpers in all vehicles and still got from point a-b. black ice is what will get you.

If the snow isn't too deep I feel more in control with winter/snow tires on a front wheel drive than I do a 4wheel drive truck. If I did go in the ditch a 4wheel drive may get you out. Snow tires will keep you on the road better. I don't worry much about snow if my tires are good but that ice is a killer.

Chains are for when you get stuck. You get out turn around and go home.

The fun just starts with chains !

I am to old to walk home.

One big storm a friend that used to drink, was out in his International 4x4 truck , come upon the cop that couldn't move , the cop said ,Bob you been drinking ?

Bob said ,you stuck ?, and proceed to pull him out .

It seems like hardly anyone ever uses chains anymore.

In general 4x4 is best, but I'd sure rather have a front wheel drive car in ice or snow rather than rear wheel drive. I've done a lot of mountain driving in snow and ice in both front wheel drive and 4x4. The problem with front wheel drive that often gets inexperienced drivers in trouble is; front wheel drive is great for going uphill and on the flats, however, when going downhill front wheel drive can get you in trouble pretty fast if you're not careful. Slow down and allow your engine to do the breaking as much as possible.

Four wheels pulling four wheels slipping.

IMO I would say 4x4 are the best in most conditions. Just to add that a chained 2 wheel drive pickup will go farther and do better then a 4x4 pickup not chained. If your smart with driven with chains you will get places no 4x4 will. I've used chains all my life and a lot of ranch pickups still have a beater around and chained up for the winter to do their thing.

Chains are great in the snow, but I don't know how anyone can stand driving with them on hard icy roads. Way to rough.

My buddy's wife has had studded tires on all four wheels for years now in the winter. Her SUV gets up a steep, icy driveway like nothing when everyone else's trucks are stuck at the bottom.