First day in snow for Taco - what do you do?

4hi is only good up to about 40 mph...on ice or unknown road conditions you're looking for trouble..
Don't be mislead by the false sense of traction...ice in a bend on 4hi will take you out quicker.
If the back is sliding in 2x..thats a message that your driving too fast.

 

bought the truck this past Monday.. should've sprayed some rust preventative coating on the undercarriage right away time to invest in some fluid film!

 

Slowing down is best. When I had my 4x2 trucks, always seeing 4x4's in the ditch. Speed or invincibility come into play I think. I've slid off the road a few times the last 40+ years, got myself out, no tow truck or any help ever needed. My old Pinto did need to be chained up to get back to pavement.
Duane

 

Put it in 4Hi and take it easy. We get lots of snow, ice, wet roads and I just leave it in 4hi if there is a change of snow or ice. Just remember to turn it back to 2Hi when you get into a parking lot. Your 4WD won't bind up even on dry roads in gentle turns. It is not that sensitive. Likewise I had it bind up on me in a completely snow covered parking lot once when I tried a hard 90 degree turn into a parking spot. It's all about the radius of your turn.

 

#1 rule of driving on ice, don't. #2 rule of driving on ice, if you must, see rule #1.

 

I drive back roads, usually before they've been plowed. A lot of times I'm the first set of tire tracks on the road. I leave it in 2H unless/until I need 4wd. There are typically 2 spots where I need it - both are at stop signs on a hill. As soon as I get going I go back to 2H.

 

I drove my 1st gen in 4HI all day long in winter conditions for 15 years. Never had one problem binding up. It was like a cheetah on the road. It’s why I love these trucks.

 

I usually do doughnuts in the parking lot at work.

 

Had the same happen today in Virginia, was in 4HI because they do a crap job plowing. Went to do a u-turn at a light, tight road tried to go as wide as possible for the drive train, still bucked a little. Came out of 4HI fine when I got close to work and turned it off behind a plow truck.

 

First off.......if you have to ask the question, then you don't know how to drive in snow or deep slush. It doesn't matter if you are driving a Tacoma or some other truck.
If you have 4WD USE IT. Don't listen to others who say "drive in 2WD until you need 4WD" By the time you realize you NEED 4WD, you may be in the ditch. Only level headed, experienced winter drivers use 2WD in bad weather.

 

Where I am at you only need 4wd to get moving on a hill. You should be able to drive just fine in 2wd if you are moving. I wish this truck had a lever instead of a knob. It just doesn't feel right to twist something other than the hubs!

 

I turn mine on and off as needed, but Im a bulldozer operator so its all about traction, no traction 50 wheel drive wont help you. Stay home, its the other idiots out there that will kill you.

 

I've never understood why people buy a 4 wheel drive vehicle and then when it snows they don't use it . If the road is snow covered....4WD..if not 2WD. I see a lot of posters on here saying that they can drive with 2wd just fine on snow covered roads....then why buy a 4WD vehicle????

 

Put it in 4h and don't worry about it. I have found it shifts into 4h alot easier when moving. Manual says you are good for driving and shifting in and out up to 60mph. If you listen to everything you read here, you will never drive your truck.

 

Go 4 Hi, keep your distance from the person in front of you and constantly check your rear-view for the inevitable person driving too fast and too close for conditions.

 

4WD is not intended to be used long term on high speeds. Especially not like 60mph+ highway speeds.

I don’t run it unless I need it and its speeds under 50mph.

Typically I only turn it on on city roads when my rear starts sliding (I don’t use sandbags for weight).

I have not run into a situation where I have needed it on the highway yet. Although last year snow was falling so fast plows couldn’t keep up so I almost did need it.

I get nervous leaving 4WD on if the roads are slick but clear. Needs to be a fair bit of snow and slush for me to feel safe turning it with 4H on.

 

Huh? Anything to back this up? 4WD is just fine at highway speeds, even on longer drives.

 

What I really was asking is about leaving it in 4wd. If you don’t know something you ask. Knowing how to drive in deep snow or slush has nothing to do with it. I’ve had good luck with snow tires and Front wheel drive. I agree with whoever said snow tires is greater than 4wd and I agree with whoever said 4wd at higher speed is still more dangerous than slow speed at 2wd. If you’re that confident in snow, I’m guessing you’ll be one of the guys getting towed out this winter. I think I’ll stick with 4wd at slower speeds this winter. I leave before 4am so the morning commute is no cars and fresh tracks. Afternoon gets hairy. Everyone be safe. Seems like today is more about ice rain than snow. I’d prefer the snow.

 

Between the traction control system and good tires (AT3W's), I didn't find myself needing 4wd for on road driving much at all last winter. Drive sensibly and the truck does fine. It's raining ice here right now, so i'm staying indoors if possible.

 

The owners manual says not to use 4H over 50mph.