Winter Driving in a TRD Sport

Hey guys,
So I bought my 2010 TRD Sport recently, and it immediately began snowing before I got a chance to really play with the 4WD. I know there are several modes I can use when using the 4WD and a few modes of 2WD and traction control, etc...but what is best to use in what scenarios?

My previous vehicle was a '79 Ford Bronco. I basically had 3 options with that beast, but the Tacoma has a lot more options with the Traction Control, etc.

So I am going to lay out a few scenarios I frequently find myself in (I live in a mountain town in Montana) and was hoping you guys could fill in the blanks so that I can better understand how to use my truck. Thanks!

1.) Interstate/Highway driving @55-65mph. I travel a LOT (10,000 miles on my truck in 3 months!) around MT selling beer. In the winter, there is very frequently snow on the roads. I'm not talking about piles of snow, but the kind where the plow is frequently keeping the piles at bay. Generally I slow down to about 55mph, put it in 4HI and cruise at about 65ish, conditions depending.

2.) Slower driving 35-55mph through 2-4in of snow. This is frequently the case on state roads, around town, county roads. I would assume that 4HI is still generally the right way to go.

3.) Slow driving through 4-12in of snow. This happened in hunting season. I dropped it into 4LO and was generally ok. THe second day, I was trying to climb a long steep road that several trucks had descended ahead of me. I saw some elk heading into the National Forest, and tried to turn back up to were I was. However, all the trucks coming down ahead of me had slushed it up a LOT and I was unable to get up the last few yards to the top of the hill. This is where some of the playing with the Traction Control may have helped, but I had only had the truck a few days (and it didn't come with a manual) and I didn't know which mode to use.

These are the most general driving conditions I have around here, but I know there are several driving modes I can use.

2HI
4HI
4LO
Then there are the different traction settings you can use, but I am unsure what scenarios to use them in.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

In general you will want to be using 4HI in most situations. 4LO is a 50/50 power distribution if I'm not mistaken and I only use that if I've got myself nice and stuck in something and need to crawl myself out of it.

Number 1 & 2 are 4HI for sure. Number 3 I'd probably still go 4HI too and the change to 4LO if that wasn't cutting it.

Others may be more liberal with 4LO, I don't find myself needing it very often.

*Edit* I guess to clarify number 1 & 2 could be 2HI as well, just depends on the conditions and tires you are running.

 

Proper winter tires are a must for all your descriptions. They will help you go, but more importantly help you stop.


http://www.tirerack.com/content/tirerack/desktop/en/winter_snow/packages.html

And yes, thanks for a well thought out early post.

Much better than the normal 'which level kit should I get?'

 

Nice to see an intelligent post from a new guy and not another 5100 question. Welcome Beerbarian..

 

Also, this
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...rols-trac-auto-lsd-a-trac-rear-locker.212057/

 

in snow and ice the tires are a biggie. i use 4lo when i,m in my yard hooking up the trailer, its easier on the clucth.

 

So is 4 HI. These trucks, like most, have no center differential, so it doesn't allow for anything but 50/50.

Only difference between HI and LO is LO uses a reduction gear so everything is lower. It's for situations where you need maximum power at very low speeds. For instance, challenging off road terrain, ascending/descending very steep hills, driving through deep sand/mud/snow.

However, in our trucks you will actually have LESS traction in 4 LO. That's because any Tacoma that isn't a TRD Off Road can't use its brake-actuated limited slip differentials in 4 LO. There is a mod to allow this, but it doesn't work that way from the factory.

I agree with everyone who mentioned investing in dedicated snow tires. I have a set on their own wheels that I swap to from about Nov - April.

 

@js312 I would be interested in where I can find this mod?

 

http://www.yotatech.com/f166/trac-4lo-yellow-wire-mod-2nd-gen-tacoma-264329/

 

Gracias amigo

 

I'm up in Mammoth with a '14 TRD Sport, shoed with BFG A/T KO2s, and have no problems, even though I know others would recommend a different AT tire for the snow. Weight over the rear axle makes a big difference. Snow tires are great and the best in snow but snow melts eventually, unless you want to own 2 sets of wheels/tires you may be able to meet your needs with a more versatile tire is all I'm saying.

 

First winter driving my truck. I went from an AWD Subaru back to a 4WD. To be honest, I keep my truck in 2HI at all times. I leave all traction control on (nice to avoid accidental fish tails), and only switch on 4HI when I start slipping.

So for your scenarios:

1. Drive in 2HI unless you feel the back end slipping around. Once you get some slipping, pop her in 4HI. I'm unsure of what tires you are using, but I find my Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs are more than capable in most of my winter driving situations this year. A dedicated snow tire with studs (if allowed in your state) are the best.

2. Again, I would try 2HI as it's more than capable of handling this amount of snow. It also depends on the snow type: with slushy slick snow I would drive in 4HI, with powder I would try 2HI first, then activate 4HI if necessary.

3. I haven't been in this situation yet this year (damn abysmal snowfall). But I would run it in 4HI at all times, then pop into 4LO on any inclines with ruts, or slush. I always found it best to be proactive with 4LO, use it before you need it.

As stated above, a dedicated snow tire, and weight over the rear wheels will benefit you the most during winter driving. I hope this helps a little at least. I'm sure other more experienced members will chime in.

 

This is my first year with KO2's. Got our first snowfall this morning. Not a real storm or any big amount, but I thought the KO2's did great. I'll tell you this, they are 100 times better than the stock tires I took off a few months ago. But why do you say "other would recommend a different tire"? Are the KO2's not supposed to be good in the snow? I was hoping they would be the best in the snow. They look the part at least.

 

This is my first year with a 4x4 as well. I always drove front wheel drive cars up until now. I'm on the east coast of Canada with a 2015 Sport DCLB with stock tires (I know, I know but I just don't have the cash for another set right now) and driving in much the same conditions as OP. One thing I've noticed is how hard it is to turn the wheel when in 4wd (such as trying to park in a snowy parking lot) I really have to fight the wheel to get it to turn. Is this normal/doing any damage to anything or should 4wd be disengaged when turning ? Also, is there any problem with leaving it in 4Hi when driving in 2-4 inches of snow ? I know others have posted to try 2Hi until you slip but is there any harm in leaving it in 4Hi ?

Thanks for the thread Beerbarian, it was just what I was looking for !

 

As long as the roads are wet Lorne I think your fine. That's how I've been doing it for years and never a problem. Sometimes my street is snow but the main roads are clear(still wet but plowed and no snow) and I leave it in 4HI just to be safe. I used to try and stay un 2WD until I really needed 4WD. But too many close calls and near accidents. So now that I'm older I use 4WD more often. Again only if the roads are at least wet. Then a tire can break free if it needs to. Had Tacoma's for over 15 years and have done this the past ten of them. Never had a mechanical problem. My 4WD worked as good as day one even after 200K miles on it when using 4WD in the winters. And I drive highways to work. Even this morning. Probably could of got away with 2WD but used 4WD to be safe. And I was passing everyone along the way that was going 30 because of the first snow storm(they all forget how to drive for some reason first snow).

 

I definitely wouldn't leave it in 4lo, but 4hi would be OK.

For parking, like somebody else mentioned, there is no center differential, so tight corners in 4 wheel drive cause the transfer case to bind, which isn't super great for it. It would be like driving around with a locked diff as far as I understand

 

Thanks, I meant to type 4Hi.

 

Yeah, my fear with waiting until you need it was that it might be too late. Thanks for the input !

 

Some will say they get harder than other A/T tires with the cold temps, making a rougher ride.

 

That binding you are describing is what happens when you make a sharp turn in 4WD and the front wheels aren't breaking free from a lack of traction. It's the components in the driveline binding up. If you tried doing the same thing in a low traction situation (e.g. mud or really deep snow), you'd notice it far less or not at all. That's because the wheels would be spinning freely and "keeping up" with the driveline. All that binding is not good for the driveline and it could damage stuff if you do it allot or "force" the vehicle through it. It's not a great technical description I know, LOL.

Bottomline, I'd only suggest engaging 4WD when you need the traction. There are too many variables to say whether or not you would need it for 2-4 inches of snow, but generally speaking, I don't think you'll damage anything leaving it in so long as you aren't running in in low traction conditions allot of the time.