10 Tips for Driving in the Snow

Thanks!
I’ll definitely consider that when it’s time.

 

Loved your 10 points

Reading this as I sit & watch the snow outside.

I always emphasize three things, especially to new drivers:
1. Your Go is often better than your Whoa. (And ABS doesn't mean you will stop on snow & ice, it just keeps your wheels from locking up.)
2. Give extra time for bad conditions. Snow may turn that 1 hour trip into a 2 hour trip, ice may make it a 4 hour trip---and maybe you should just not go NOW.
3. Don't be a macho idiot driver... endangering others, who cares if you get there quicker once in a while. Be a smart driver, you will get fewer tickets too.

Most of the above I learned the hard way.

 

I moved from California where chains are required to go in the mountain snow to Indiana where chains are illegal (no mountains but plenty of snow). What causes the problem here is excessive speed. 40mph is not okay on snow. You might make it for miles. Or not.

 

Regular winter day in Canada...eh!

 

One thing was missed on the list and thats putting your chains on the front if you have a 4x4. I thought this was common knowledge for those who have four wheel drive vehicles but apparently it is not. I drive to my local mountain 50+ times a year in the winter and I'm amazed at the amount of 4wd trucks I see with chains on the rear.

 

YES THANK YOU!!! God I hate that. Can tell who is scared shitless driving in the snow when you see those

 

As someone who works ski patrol in the Sierras near Tahoe and has to deal with all the terrible drivers from the Bay Area who have literally never seen snow before, then show up in a storm in tennis shoes and jeans, this read cracked me up and made me so happy. I’ve seen all situations mentioned... except chains on the wrong axle... that had me cracking up, especially thinking of some idiot guy telling the poor girls the wrong info. Unfortunately, I don’t think a ton of the people on here are the main offenders

 

Since this is the only place on the forum I could find talk about Tire chains, I have a question for you all. I was told by a online store that my 2018 tacoma 4x4 Off Road could only have chains on the rear tires. Is this true? I have not seen it written anywhere in my truck info. Also any recommendations on where I can find good quality chains would be awesome. Thanks

Edit! What Im asking is, can I put chains on all 4 tires not just the rear?

 

Would like to know to, they are illegale on road here but im curious as well.

 

Well, only speaking from limited experience as far as chain use, at the ski resort we had a little Jeep Rubicon, and for awhile we ran it around the resort with chains on all 4 of its tires without issue, driving in deep and heavy snow while towing a small trailer.

 

I recall the owners manual saying rear only. I don't believe there is enough room up front to run chains without rubbing the UCAs.

 

Maybe the cable style chains would fit. I would think there would be at least a 1/2" of clearance between the tire and the UCA but I could be wrong. I would check but I don't have stock UCA's.

 

good post, thanks!

 

Bought my chains on line from Canadian Chains from British Columbia. I chose the Spec V model, can't go wrong for off roading on ici and snow.

 

Super Z8 cables might fit on the front. The manual explicitly says no front chains, rear only. No room for actual beefy chains. I wouldn’t risk it.

All four tires would be ideal. If you have front and rear solid axles you could do it. I use RUD Grip 4x4 chains. They are the best you can readily find in North America.

 

Good info, thanks.

 

Grew up in central PA, driven in snow my whole life. Still read every word absolutely hilarious.

 

Here's my best winter driving tip for snow covered roads. Retire and stay home like I do. Unless of course you want to just go out and have a whole lot of fun driving in deep snow while not being a total idiot. Then, have at it. That's why you bought a Tacoma in the first place.

 

Funny thread! But true.

You might add as this is not always common sense, but if you do find yourself stuck in the ditch for an extended period of time, shovel out your exhaust. Carbon monoxide poisoning from blocked tail pipes tends to get a few people every year.

 

Snow tires make a huge difference