What 4wd mode should I be In for snow?

If you need 4wd you should probably not be moving at highway speeds though. People end up in the ditch because they drive too fast for the conditions or their speed exceeds their abilities.

 

Oh dont get me wrong I use 4hi all the time at safe highway speeds when there is really slippery ice/snow on the ground for that reason you describe (also helps when braking so one whole axle - usually the rear - doesnt lock up quicker than the other). But I find that if its not terribly bad and off and on 2hi is nicer.

The biggest thing is tires though, good tires go a long way.

 

I know this is not part of your question. Based on the pictures 2wd vs 4wd would not be my first concern. Proper tire choice is what will have the biggest impact on how well your truck works in these conditions. 4wd with street tires is worse than 2wd with a quality winter/snow tires. 4wd is only going to be a benefit if your tires have or can find traction. With the winter Northern California is seeing in the Sierras and if you are spending any time in this area dedicated winter/snow tires should be considered an absolute minimum.

 

Like Jack Burton says, "I never drive faster than I can see and besides... it's all in the reflexes"

I think what most people, at least what I say, is that going fast does not hurt the 4wd system but you shouldn't be thinking that 4wd will allow you to go fast (at least highway speeds fast)
So if you have changing conditions you can leave 4hi on and go 70mph with no ill affects then once you get to bad sections of the road you can adjust your speed without having to fiddle around switching it back on and off.

 

I'm surprised more people haven't figured this out and made the swap. I drive a 2009 4Runner to work all winter simply because the ability to use AWD. Never worry about switching in and out of 4H. Just flip it to 4H and leave the t-case unlocked.

Did you swap in the 4Runner 4WD ecu? Curious how you made the electronic side work.

 

That's incredibly dumb

 

It’s fine

 

I agree, and never understood this about California. You can't drive mt. Shasta when it's snowing if you have 2wd and 4 actual snowtires unless you chain up, but 4wd /AWD and summer tires is ok. Subsequently, the 2 times i have gone over the pass, the route down is littered with 4wd's spun out in the median. Fwd and X-ices are pretty unstoppable.

 

Not trying to argue.. but on the highway, in traffic with other vehicles isn't really the place to be countersteering. People behind you see that and they'll start panicking and slamming on their brakes causing more chaos

But I can also agree, on compact snow/ice on the highway, I'm staying below 45-50 mph.

 

I don't think that is a California thing but a DOT (federal) thing. DOT may be under the assumption that people are following the directive that you are also supposed to have tires proper for the season and conditions. But do they check? No. Can drivers be ticketed after an accident? Absolutely. Will they be? Most likely not unless they caused damage that led to injuries of others.

 

Those rules are set forth for clearance and snow traction. There’s no snow tire or chain that helps people be smarter or gain traction on severe ice.

With chains, you really don’t want to drive fast anyways, but you can hit ice and be figure skating you vehicle all the same.

There are places so bad, that vehicles parked on an incline will start sliding in down the road.

 

Yes, the traction control is incredibly dumb, which is why I prefer to turn it off. If I need to steer with the throttle I don't want the electronics preventing me from doing so.

 

What a painful response.

You guys don’t see real weather it seems. I’m not going to do 50% speed limit in 2wd with my hazards on when it’s 100% safe with winter tires and 4x4.

please stay at home if it snows where ever you are.

 

CHP around tahoe is known to ticket if you're driving a 4wd and bury it in a ditch without chains in your possession. I'd assume it would be the same if you were running summer tires and ended up stuck.

 

You do you but I'm not traveling at 50% of the speed limit in 2wd with the hazards on in the winter. People that drive at highway speed because they have 4wd have no business driving in the snow in my opinion because the problems typically arise when they try to stop. My point is, drive for the conditions with proper tires. If you're not comfortable driving in 2wd in the snow you should probably spend some time in a parking lot figuring it out before you click that dial and assume that means you're good to go 70mph with snow on the ground.

And we most definitely get real weather here.

 

It's umm.. comforting to know all these guys with 4x4 capable trucks are driving around with other vehicles on the highway, waiting "until they get stuck" to use 4wd

 

It’s pretty clear why you see so many 4x4s in the ditch - there’s a million ways to operate them wrong

 

Wouldn't make sense to have it as a ground clearance thing. An awd Tesla has way less clearance than a fwd cuv. Theres also no 4wd that helps make you smarter on severe ice. I live in a jurisdiction where snow tires trump 4wd or awd. This makes more sense to me. I'm familiar with chains. Nothing beats chains in deep snow or ice.

 

Me, in conditions like pictured I drive in 4wd hi and usually at a reduced speed as you can't go any faster than what is in front of you. I'm consciously aware not to try and crank the wheel locked in either direction as I don't like the feel of the front wheels binding. I just believe the binding adds added stress to the front wheel bearings that's not needed.

 

And for sure there's lots of different conditions..

-compact snow and ice on pavement, with multiple lanes and other drivers.

-paved highways, mostly wet with patches of compact snow

- logging roads covered with packed snow, no other people around..

- Deep snow offroad where big tires and Recovery gear is a necessity..

I see guys posting photos of rural roads with not single other vehicle in sight..

On a crowded 2 lane hwy with traffic going both directions, "countersteering" is not realistic. Driving along in 2wd and waiting until you get stuck to lock in is not realistic. By that point you'll be half stuck in the snowbank with your ass sticking out in traffic blocking the entire hwy behind you

And speed-wise, I'm not talking about flying along at 70, emboldened by the fact I'm in 4wd. I always drive at a speed that matches conditions.