Questions about driving in winter

Sorry for the rookie questions but I am just not sure what everyone else uses. I've been driving an AWD for almost 15 years and in my part of the world, winter is not a friendly season that can last for over 5 months.

I loved my AWD vehicles (even though they weren't true AWD) for the fact that I always had traction and was just more of piece of mind.

I bought my Tacoma in June and absolutely love it, but with it being a RWD without switching on the 4HI, I'm not 100% what the best way (to prevent damage to 4WD system) to utilize the 4HI.

For the most part, the main highways are clear (dry pavement), but at times with heavy snow can be drifted over in spots or even packed snow. In the city, the same thing where a lot of the streets are clear, but residential streets are often packed snow.

For the most part in my AWD, I didn't care about the packed snow cause and loose snow, but if I leave it in 2WD and suddenly break loose, I just see fishtailing everywhere or even on freeways and highways where I'm hitting 60MPH and suddenly hitting an ice patch or packed snow.

So, in winter when going from packed snow, loose snow and dry pavement, do you constantly switch between 2WD and 4 HI or do you typically leave it in 4WD considering speeds in the city are typically around 30 MPH.

Coupled with the 2WD-4HI question is also the traction control and the limited slip diff.

I guess it really comes down to trial and error - but for me, when on an family outing, I don't really want to trial resulting in error for not having the best traction available.

And... FWIW, I run a winter tire and I'm not talking about stopping on ice and snow.

Thanks in advance.

 

On slushy/wet roads, I leave my truck in 2x4 unless I feel I'm going to need the extra traction of 4x4. For example, starting on a hill or maybe a steep, slow bend.

On freshly snow covered roads, especially if the snow is really coming down, I usually engage 4hi and leave it in for the duration of my trip just to be safe. I avoid sharp turns that might bind the drive line just in case (like full lock in parking lots and things of that nature). If there is a break in the snow or I come to a portion of the road that hasn't been covered, I'll go back to 2x4.

Plowed roads are hit or miss. If there is a decent base, I'll usually run 4hi to be safe. If they are plowed down to the pavement and snow isn't falling, I usually leave it in 2x4.

Remember that even with snow tires, the rear end of a truck can get sideways quickly because there is not much weight over the rear wheels.

As far as the electronic limited slip goes, I turn that completely off. I find that it cuts off power to the wheels more than anything, which can be very dangerous if it's not something you're expecting. I'd rather spin with a chance to catch.

 

Thanks for the quick reply.

What speeds are you going when using 4x4 - is there a maximum speed limit that you can do - as in going down the highway and what about switching in and out - can you switch at any time or should you let off the accelerator - that type of thing?

 

I've run 4x4 up in the 60mph range, but usually when I'm on the highway, I leave it in 2x4 because the roads are well maintained. If I happen to be on the highway when snow starts falling and the plows haven't made their rounds yet, I'll throw it in 4hi and take it easy (40-50mph), especially around corners.

I think the vehicle has to be going less than 60mph to engage 4hi. Not positive on that though. I've never engaged close to that. I usually err on the side of caution and slow down (10-15mph) with the truck in neutral before I go to 4hi.

 

Along with this If your running in 2wd I Have found that the traction control it very good at catching your truck if you start to slid. It will brake Individual wheels to get your truck back in alignment with where your front wheels are going. Its not the most pleasant sounding system. It makes a lot of noise. If you are having trouble moving from a start Then you must not be in 4x4 because have never gotten stuck in 4x4 even when I had crappy tires on my truck.

 

Don't know where you're located. From my experience (over half a century in every imaginable type of vehicle) I found the following helps for winter snow and ice driving. Please don't take it as preaching.
You only need 4wd/4hi for constant snow or ice. You'll very rarely all of a sudden come across areas of snow/ice. Drive for the conditions and weather. Look ahead and anticipate. Don't tailgate. Maybe consider a winter driving course with a reputable driving school. Take your rig and try it out on snow to a large open area such as a large mall parking lot when there's no one around and see what it does.

 

Yes, to clarify, I was referring to the use of traction control in 2x4. If I'm in 4x4, I leave TRAC and VSC on.

 

In before somebody tells the " 4x4 doesn't make you invincible / most of the vehicles I see in the ditch are 4x4's " story that circulates this time of year

 

If the road is covered in snow, ice, or slush, I use 4 Hi.

If it's not, I use 2 Hi.

If there are patches occasionally, use 2 Hi and just don't use extreme throttle or braking on them.

You can drive as fast as you want in 4 Hi (you just need to be going less than 60 to get into it), though I'd question if you'd actually need it if conditions were safe enough to do 65+ regardless of 2 Hi or 4 Hi.

If you're concerned, snow tires are a night and day difference and you'll need to use 4WD much less if you have them.

 

If the roads are mostly dry, leave it in 2HI and learn to ease up on the gas when you go over short patches of snow.

When the roads are questionable, I will often switch between 2HI and 4HI while I'm driving depending on what is currently under my tires. However if it's a small patch of snow I just ease up on the gas and let the truck coast over it. You'll get the hang of it as you gain more experience driving the truck.

My rule of thumb has two parts - 1) if the roads are slick enough to warrant using 4HI, you shouldn't be going 60 mph, and 2) if the roads are slick enough to warrant using 4HI, it won't hurt the truck because it's slick enough for the tires not to bind up.

Since my truck has a manual transmission, using 4HI and engine braking can help improve braking in slippery conditions, so I may engage 4HI to improve braking in addition to general driving traction. I find that 4HI helps keep the truck more stable in slippery conditions.

 

Thanks again for the quick replies.

I agree with all the posts and specifically to the winter driving conditions and drive within the conditions, I couldn't agree more. I can tell you with confidence that I'm not one to be drifting for the sake of drifting or driving beyond my confidence.

I was actually telling my wife the other day as I was driving down a muddy grid road - why is that when I was young and had no responsibilities that I could cruise these grid roads in a rear wheel drive car and not have one ounce of apprehension, but now with the added responsibilities and maybe being a bit more older - I'm now the old man out Sunday driving - lol.

In all seriousness though, I'm not trying to push the limits of my truck or its abilities, rather just wanting to prepare myself for what lies ahead.

FWIW - I'm in Saskatchewan.

 

The most important thing is learning how to "feel" the road and respond appropriately. Our Tacomas are not luxury cars so it's much easier to interpret what the road and truck are telling you.

 

In those type of conditions I generally leave it in 2wd. Easy on the throttle, easy on the brakes and brake early, increase following distance, and remain mindful of where you can bail out. The narrow margin between the roadway and curbs, sidewalks, center dividers, and etc can often provide emergency traction with softer uncompacted snow and the ability to drag a sidewall on concrete.

 

When in doubt, throttle out.

 

I used to be the same, driving an AWD Subaru when I was younger, then more recently with my WRX before I sold it for my tacoma. I used to drive much more carelessly, but since getting into a much more expensive truck, I've become much more careful. Coincidentally, I'm also in SK, specifically in Regina. My truck is my DD, and on snowy days driving into downtown where I work, I switch back and forth from 2WD to 4WD a couple of times.

 

I been driving in snow for years nomatter how much snow comes down i have to get to work to plow snow. I pretty much leave mine in 2wd unless i have trouble getting traction than i will put 4hi and take it slow and easy the reason most 4x4s get stuck or in accidents is because most ppl think they have 4x4 and dont have to worry so they speed. It dont matter 4x4 or 2wd stopping sucks in snow and ice. Lol

 

I tend to leave mine in 4H even in the city, unless the roads are bladed right down to pavement. People here compact the snow into a sheet of ice as it snows, even the freeways have a good amount of patchy ice.

Edmonton btw

 

While it is OK to run in 4X4 at faster speeds, if road conditions are safe enough to drive over 25-30 mph you don't need 4X4. With decent tires you'll rarely really need 4X4 other than driving on inclines. If you've been used to an AWD vehicle the 4X4 system is far different. It isn't nearly as good in light snow on pavement, but you'll get where you're going. It just takes a little more driving skill and requires a different technique. Now in really deep snow, or in any true off road situation the 4X4 system handily beats AWD.

 

These conditions happen a lot where I live. Coming across areas that suddenly have snow drifts on a road that is for the most part dry. I delt with this constantly last winter.

What I do is throw the switch a little before I'm about to go into the snow if it seems like a situation that I'm going to need it. If it's a short run of snow on flat road that doesn't look too hateful then I'll just truck through it. Plenty of times I needed the 4wd to get through it though.

This happens a lot on breezy days when the roads are dry and the snow drifts over large sections of road. If it's drifting off a hill the snow can be quite deep.

 

My only winter driving tip is if you accidentally take a corner too fast on the ice (at the one I hit, 5mph was too fast...) and you're sliding into the opposite curb make sure you straighten out the wheel and line your tires up to it before you hit. Or slow down a bit more and don't end up in that situation!