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Driving in Winter

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by SubFrozen, Oct 22, 2009.

  1. Oct 22, 2009 at 10:52 PM
    #1
    SubFrozen

    SubFrozen [OP] r00t

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    Sandy, UT
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    Aside from 4x4, what's a good set of rules to follow for normal winter city driving? Should we deflate our oversized tires a bit? Keep it in 4 all the time? Thoughts?
     
  2. Oct 22, 2009 at 10:55 PM
    #2
    Hoyal

    Hoyal Whiskey bent and hell bound.

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    N 39.2249 W -106.16974
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    Big tires, big lift, Lots of stuff's.
    Drive it like you stole it. :)

    First snow take your truck in an empty parking lot and see for your self what the stoping times are like, handling, and so forth.
     
  3. Oct 22, 2009 at 11:10 PM
    #3
    Juggernaut

    Juggernaut Captain

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    4wd wont help you stop faster. Just take it easy and all should be well.
     
  4. Oct 22, 2009 at 11:28 PM
    #4
    Yoytoda

    Yoytoda The Little Truck That Could

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    Dont let the air out of your tires especially if they are wide. Take it from a new yorker the skinnier the tire the better traction in snow. Keep your tires aired up and throw 200lbs in the bed and youll be fine. keep your foot out of it.
     
  5. Oct 22, 2009 at 11:52 PM
    #5
    cwrose

    cwrose Don't spreadsheet this...

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    Been driving for 8 years in Fairbanks, AK and all around the state. Cumulatively have approximately 300k miles driven ranging from the smallest front wheel drive car to 2-ton delivery trucks. My advice is as follows:

    1. Bridges may be icy! Don't accelerate, brake, or change lanes while traversing a bridge. Same goes for corners on the highway and whatnot. If you have to slow down to take a corner, do so before you enter the turn.

    2. Give yourself more time to get to where you need to go. Being painfully early is better than not arriving at all.

    3. Learn how your vehicle handles. Use an empty parking lot or some other safe environment to test your truck's limits. I dunno if anybody does anything like this in your area, but we have a lake that freezes over that somebody plows a course through. We call it the ice track. Something like this is a wonderful way to see how your truck will handle slick roads.

    4. You can keep your truck in 4wd so long as you aren't driving on dry roads. The problem that we have here is that people change from 2wd to 4wd in different parts of town, and by doing this, they sometimes forget that they are in 2wd when they attempt to make a maneuver. If you can, stick with one or the other and try not to be switching all the time.

    5. I know it sounds broad, but during winter months, you really need to be aware of everything that is around you. Other drivers, road conditions, pedestrians, traffic signals, etc. I've been rear ended twice by drivers approaching a stoplight too fast on icy roads. Both times I've seen them coming and was able to minimize the "blow" and save me from hitting other vehicles around me. In many instances, you may even be able to avoid it altogether if you see it coming.

    6. Last, but definitely not the last bit of advice out there, drive defensively and don't be aggressive. In the end, you have to think if arriving at your destination 1 or 2 minutes quicker is really worth the consequences of a motor vehicle accident.

    I wish you a safe winter season, and hope this helps. :D
     
  6. Oct 23, 2009 at 12:11 AM
    #6
    SubFrozen

    SubFrozen [OP] r00t

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    Thanks. I grew up out in Wasilla (The Valley), AK - first driving was out on Stephan Lake in the middle of winter. ;-)

    There are plenty of empty church parking lots here in Salt Lake. I'll use one of those when I get the Taco fixed up and go test my control.
     
  7. Oct 23, 2009 at 4:07 AM
    #7
    jayranger

    jayranger Well-Known Member

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    1. Drive slower! 4WD only means you get moving forward faster, doesn't mean you will stop faster AT ALL!

    2. Remember this rule. Everyone else is an inconsiderate fool and is driving too fast. Watch out for them!

    3. Add 200 lbs or so into the bed.

    4. Bridges, overpasses, on and off ramps, and stop signs/lights are dangerous icy spots slow down "before" you get to them and do not change lanes or speed up in or through them.

    5. Never deflate tires in the snow like Yotoda says skinnier is better.

    Being born and raised in NY and moving to NC I have learned that for some reason people down here love their 4wd trucks but they are always the vehicles in the ditch. They get them moving just fine but can not stop them. Not all people are going to cause a wreck but if you treat all of them like they will, you will be more defensive and more safe to all around you.
     
  8. Oct 23, 2009 at 4:44 AM
    #8
    CanadianGuy

    CanadianGuy Well-Known Member

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    Rule # 1 - Get a 6-speed! its like having another set of brakes
     
  9. Oct 23, 2009 at 5:05 AM
    #9
    ph16drive

    ph16drive \m/.....\m/

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    All of the above is awesome advice . . . every bit of it. I can only highlight what's already been said. Most of the time, the problem is other drivers. There's nothing worse than leaving a safe distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you and some jackass in a truck who thinks 4wd means better braking sits on your rear bumper.

    Now that that's off my chest, all I can add is leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. Generally I leave it in 2wd most of the time and switch to 4wd when I need it which makes the fuel milage a bit better.
     
  10. Oct 23, 2009 at 5:44 AM
    #10
    Demoncleaner

    Demoncleaner Well-Known Member

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    I wouldn't worry about 2wd vs 4wd mpg driving on snow. I've got thousands of miles in 4hi on snow covered roads, despite running the front driveline, with the resistance of road surface (snow) to pull through there is almost no mpg difference. Usually 17-18 mpg on snowy trips whether 2wd or 4.

    If you need it, go a ahead and use it, thats why we paid the extra $3K!
     
  11. Oct 23, 2009 at 5:50 AM
    #11
    ph16drive

    ph16drive \m/.....\m/

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    Yeah, it's just that I'm not on snow for long before getting to the main roads which are usually just wet with salt. Plus, the binding into and out of parking spots if left in 4wd. I guess it all depends on where you live and what works for you.
     
  12. Oct 23, 2009 at 6:27 AM
    #12
    Tacoyota

    Tacoyota senile member

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    4.56 gears, rear trutrac,DT header, 235/85r16 Duratracs, 2nd filter pulled, inter.wipers, Cruise control, Factory alum. whls/winter tires(2nd set), Afe pro Dry-S , Dumbo eared flaps cut down.
    A few more minor ones

    drive in the gravel if there is some , but be aware of people behind you and rock flicking

    Consider siping, chains or snow tires, i wont fault studs but wont recomend them due to road damgage they cause

    If you have traction, and stop well , watch your mirrors on stopping, the guys with 22" rims and sporty tires often cant stop

    stop farther away from the car in front of you... because of the above

    PLEASE dont be one of the show-offs demonstrating what you think your suv/ awd or 4wd can do:mad:..... unless you are in a safe field or big lot away from people and property:D
     
  13. Oct 23, 2009 at 6:32 AM
    #13
    moto932

    moto932 What's the matter, Colonel Sandurz? CHICKEN?

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    Basically stock. OME 882s, HD Dakars and nitrochrgers, TG front bumper, custom rear bumper, 4Xinnovations sliders, RAT skids, Softopper, 255/85/16 ST MAXX's on 16" steelies, 1" B.O.R.A. wheel spacers Scangaugae II, deck plate mod, grey wire mod,ECGS bushing, diff breather relocation, alarm mod, defrost w/o compressor mod, de-badged, sockmonkey beside decals.
    you can downshift to slow down with a auto trans as well.
     
  14. Oct 23, 2009 at 10:46 AM
    #14
    thinkingman

    thinkingman Well-Known Member

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    Foglights are for fog, not oncoming traffic!
    Lots of good advice here.
    Every bit of it.
     
  15. Oct 23, 2009 at 11:00 AM
    #15
    Krazie Sj

    Krazie Sj Resident Jackass

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    Too true, additionally try sliding out the back and bringing it back to center again. The more you can do this on demand without over or understeering the better you'll be when it happens unexpectedly on the road.

    ^Excellent advice.

    Additionally having some fresh power under your tires will help slow you down and control you versus driving on the packed snow ruts that everyone else drives on.

    Keep a blanket, some candles, matches and some nonperishable food like granola bars in your vehicle. Also make sure you have a folding shovel and some crappy work gloves in your vehicle in case you have to dig yourself out or change a tire in -30ºC.
     
  16. Oct 23, 2009 at 11:10 AM
    #16
    NAAC3TACO

    NAAC3TACO Middle aged member

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    +1. Packed snow is like ice, fresh powder=traction.
     
  17. Oct 23, 2009 at 11:18 AM
    #17
    JTDTacoma

    JTDTacoma Well-Known Member

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    Switching from stock h/t deulers to deuler a/t Revos made an enormous difference on my truck on snow/ice. Couldn't drive with the stock tires on snow/ice unless in 4wd.
     
  18. Oct 23, 2009 at 11:22 AM
    #18
    NAAC3TACO

    NAAC3TACO Middle aged member

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    +1. Tire choice is so important when driving in snow and ice. My Tacoma with the stock AT20s is horrible in the snow. I have to use 4x4. Hopefully they will be replaced by next winter.
     
  19. Oct 23, 2009 at 1:08 PM
    #19
    Razorecko

    Razorecko Well-Known Member

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    big tires/lift/ and bashguards all around...lots of lighting too :D
     
  20. Oct 23, 2009 at 1:30 PM
    #20
    smithrw

    smithrw Well-Known Member

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    We have usaed fan belts taken through the wheel slots then looped around the tire for years. Works great on snow.
     

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