Most times the first vehicles in the ditch ARE 4X4's because people buy them, but don't know how to DRIVE them. They "Ease up on the gas and turn into the skid..pump the brakes..and so on" INSTEAD of hitting the gas to give the wheels power. They don't keep their hubs locked in the winter and so can't use their 4 WD system in an emergency situation. It can't help you unless you use it. Just my $0.02