2WD and Ice

I've never owned a vehicle that didn't have 4HI/LO and AWD. So coming across some icy spots in the winter was never a concern because I could just keep my truck in AWD. But I obviously can't do that in my Tacoma.

I don't know if it's me, the truck, tires, or a mix of it all. But my truck struggles to move from a stop if I come across any ice and I'm in 2WD. My truck is parked on a slight hill outside my house and if there's even a tiny bit of ice around the rear tires, it won't budge at all. I give it a few seconds and usually end up switching to 4WD and switching back to 2WD a couple feet later. It was a pain a few days ago when I was driving through a neighborhood with some steep shade covered roads. I'd be driving on totally dry asphalt, come to a stop sign and take a right up a hardpacked/icy road. So I'd have to turn switch to 4WD just to get up the hill, and then switch right back to 2WD before I turned on another totally dry road.

Am I not giving my truck enough time for the traction control to kick in? I've always given it a few seconds, but the wheels just spin and usually end up stopping and just switching to 4WD real quick. I'm easy on the peddle, have stock tires, and 160lbs worth of sandbags in the rear.

 

Probably could use better tires.

 

That's what I was thinking. I've never had any issues with these tires in the snow, they've gone through 2-3ft of it with no issue at all. I guess they don't like the slick stuff though.

 

160 lbs probably isn’t enough

I have Toto AT’s with at least double that weight when I go to mammoth

 

More weight in the bed, better tires, or keep momentum up if you can help.

My dad leaves his tundra in 4wd most of the winter. I pull my 4runner in and out if 4wd often, it has the lever actuated tcase which I love.

 

I’m newer to my Tacoma. Is driving in 4hi on dry-ish roads not good?

 

Tires is the answer, I had similar experiences with the stock tires and even all terrains.

Got me some blizzaks this winter and it's a night and day difference. I can reverse up the driveway in 2wd on ice no problem now.

 

Formally known as part time 4wd, I use mine in the city for traction at intersections when the hard packed snow has become ice. Normal for me to go in and out of 4wd as conditions dictate.

Snowflake rated tires don’t hurt either.

 

Less than ideal, but safety is #1

 

It's fine as long as you aren't taking sharp turns. But you usually want to keep it in 2WD unless you're on a surface where the tires can slip while you're in 4WD.

 

You can also push the traction control button once to turn on the auto LSD function which will prevent the truck from reducing throttle input when the wheels slip.

 

You don't wanna be in 4wd on DRY pavement. It's fine going straight, but turning while in 4wd on dry surfaces can cause binding. You'll know when that happens

 

Tires makes a huge difference. I got Duratracs which have the "3 peak snow designation", and one of the "best rain ratings" out there.

Sold off the dedicated winter tires when I got my Duratracs. Now I don't have to switch over tires twice a year. No Regrets!

Of course I throw it in 4hi in any inclement weather. (no weight in the back).

 

You should be happy, you have option to turn that knob to 4wd. When you need it, that's why you bought it....

 

That's just part of driving a pickup, the bed is so light, in 2wd they're not so great.

 

When I had my 2wd 2nd gen, I learned the merits of momentum and light throttle application (along with some weight in the bed).

 

I have to engage 4WD to get up my driveway several times each winter. This is with Duratracs at 28 psi. There are tires that do better on ice (Blizzak, Michelin X-Ice), but they plug up and turn into slicks in deep snow. Studded tires aren't legal in my area in the winter.

If you are alternating between icy and dry roads, leaving it in 4WD is OK if you can make wide turns.

 

Find a very large parking lot like an industrial park, go out in next snow storm and do doughnuts and panic stops until you get the feeling of starts and stops in those conditions. If you have young kids bring them along, they will love it and you can tell the cops your teaching them about the dangers of skidding.

 

The stock tires are the worst for ice. If you come across ice or snow often it's worth buying a dedicated winter set. I bought Nokians for the winter and the performance is (obviously) night and day over the stock Goodyears. Designated winter tires will do better than a set of all terrains for the entire year even if you buy Duratracs or the likes. Consider studs if your state or province allows them.

 

If you live where you drive in winter conditions from November through March, do yourself, your friends, your family, and others on the roads and get a set of four dedicated winter tires.