Driveline bind in 4wd

Hey all, quick question for you. We're getting some snow here and we've got about an inch so far, getting worse. I went to the store to stock up on things I need to stay home tomorrow and thought I'd put the truck in 4wd since the snow seems pretty wet and it was raining all day before that so I wasn't sure whether there would be ice underneath.

Everything seemed fine except I was getting some driveline bind while turning. If I'm getting driveline bind when turning, should I be in 2wd? I apologize if it seems like a stupid question, but my first car was a Subaru so I didn't have to worry about things like that.

 

If you feel a little bind just try to loosen up the turn. I prefer to put mine back in 2HI just before I turn into a parking lot or similar space where I will need to make tighter turns. If the parking lot is empty enough I can make wider turns into parking spots without any binding feeling, maybe halfway to lock each direction.

 

Yes, Subie has a center diff. No center diff in the taco.

 

All I have for input is that any sharp turns while in 4hi can cause binding. I accidentally left my 4hi on the day after New Years and *tried* to do a sharp turn into a parking space. Wheels felt like the brakes were locked up and had to move the truck back and forth until it made a horrific grinding noise - then, back to normal.

 

Newbies... Leave it in 2WD until you actually need 4WD. See how long your driving talent takes you.
You need 4WD when you are no longer moving in 2WD (back tire spins) or your not sticking to the highway (sliding around). It is shift-on-the-fly, so if you are in 4WD and trying to parallel park, put it back in 2WD!

 

Apparently my driving talent will only take out of my driveway. Sorry I'm not better.

 

Gotcha. It was just binding up backing out of my driveway and a parking space. The other turns that weren't sharp didn't bind up. I just wasn't sure, don't want my driveline breakin or causing any damage, but I'm also not trying to be sliding around like crazy haha

 

Tacoma uses a "Part Time" 4x4, so any sharp turn will bind unless the snow is deep enough to make the tires not touch the "hard surface" of the road. Unless it's very slippery, in deep mud or lots of snow, don't even engage the 4x4. Consistent bind will cause serious damage to the 4x4 system.

 

4X4 should be used only when needed. Your Subaru was AWD and much better system for ice/snow. The 4X4 you have is designed for off road driving, but can be used in ice/snow. You just have to switch back and forth as needed.

 

You can switch back and forth, or just leave it in 4HI and have the traction you need all the time. Once you start slipping it's too late to decide to switch it over.

 

I am sorry to disagree... It is made to switch on and off as needed and not just leave it engaged... binding the driveline to turn or park... all because you can't reach over and twist the dial (no harder than cranking up the volume when an AC/DC song come on!

When you start slipping it is not too late (for a Tacoma). It is the first sign to improve traction. The truck has TRAC in 2WD and it doesn't work UNTIL a tire slips. The AUTO LSD 2WD or 4WD-HI selection is to improve the drivability if the tires spin in normal TRAC 2WD. It just gets better and better and is never too late, unless you keep driving into deep snow, mud, or sand without using 4WD.

I am here to help, not nag, by-the-way. Experience is great to have, but until you have it, listen to those that already have it.

 

I was just driving in snow last weekend. The road were slushy during the late afternoon and was covered by about 6" of powder as the night went on so it was real slippery. I was on 2wd but when the rear started slipping, 4x4 was the way to go. Whenever I turned into the driveway to park, I simly went back to 2wd.

 

I wish I had TRAC or auto LSD lol. Thanks for the help everyone

 

Your standard 4WD is a BIG step up from 2WD TRAC or AUTO LSD, don't worry, you can do it!

 

Gotcha. I'll just take it slow and steady. I also shoveled some snow from the driveway into the bed so hopefully that'll help a bit

 

Yes, the empty bed is a handicap in ice and snow... weigh it down... and deflate the tires for more traction!

 

To anyone reading, please do not do this. David is totally right that you should absolutely keep it in 2WD until you get close to needing 4WD and it will take you WAY farther than you expect. Use 2WD for parallel part and turn etc.

However, my caution comes from experience driving long distance on loose dirt and snow. You get complacent and errors made while in RWD at a decent speed get bad fast. What it comes down to is to make sure you're always driving within your ability. I've seen too many people overestimate themselves without accounting for the unknown (road condition etc) and end up in bad situations in remote areas. My advice/caution is only applicable when in deep snow/loose dirt/gravel etc for a long period of time. For light snow, slushy crap, packed dirt, and all other stuff like that you should be in 2WD using 4WD only if you get stuck.

@David K, I hope you don't take this offensively or personally. I just don't want someone to read that and out-drive themselves this winter.

 

During cold winter days with roads covered in snow, ice, and everything NOT nice: I keep it in 4WD except for parking lots. There are too many times where I have to accelerate to avoid others on our roads where I don't have time to switch to 4WD. I just make sure I switch back to 2WD any time I may need to make some tight turns. My whole family has followed this practice in every 4WD vehicle starting with our 1986.5 Nissan truck without issues. During the nastiness of winter our vehicles pretty much just live in 4WD. I've come to accept the 15mg.

 

Guess you gotta stay home. Not like y'all get any snow there anyways

 

That's true, if you live in CA maybe. I live where the roads are snow and ice for six months straight. There is no reason at all to not leave the truck in 4HI other than when you need to make tight turns. I would spend my entire drive switching that dial back and forth every few seconds if I took your advice. The driveline does not bind when turning in a normal fashion while driving on the roads. It only occurs when you need to make harder turns such as parking, at which time you can drop back to 2HI prior to and not have any binding occur.

A friend has a pre-runner he bought prior to knowing he would be in AK and it is terrible, even with winter tires and weight. No amount of fancy traction control can make up for not having traction in the first place. Our trucks are very similar other than the missing 4x4 option and the difference in drive ability is night and day.