4 lo in the snow?

Newbie here...first post. I'm 6200 feet up in a mountainous terrain. Lots of snow and hills. Is 4 lo where I need to be for short, snowy inclines?

 

That'd be fine.

Or just get a bit of momentum in 4hi if you can do so safely.

 

You might find lo range and 1st gear helpful going down steep inclines so you don't have to use the brakes. On level ground or up hills it is not where you need to be. In fact you'll do better getting started in hi range 2nd or maybe even 3rd gear.

 

I think being in 4 low on pavement would make you spin out a lot, atleast that’s what it seems to do out on a dirt road.

 

It's up to you to decide OP. We talking like 25-35 mph snowy paved highway grades? Or super steep crawling 1-2 mph type stuff? It depends on too many things. 4LO can be helpful if you need precise speed control at very low speeds, but it can hurt you because torque jolts are magnified which can make it easier to break traction. Higher gears/4HI can help keep torque levels down which can help maintain traction but might require too much vehicle speed to prevent lugging the engine.

 

We're talking crawling here....very slow speeds...slight incline with snow. I'm trying to avoid putting on the chains or getting the max trax out just to get out of my own driveway......unpaved, inclined and covered with snow.

 

I'd be in 4 LO for sure on that, and trying to be as constant as possible on the throttle and see what I get. Try it in 4 LO first and if it's no good try 2nd, 3rd, 4th gear....3rd or 4th in 4LO is like 1st in 4HI so if those are what work maybe 4HI is better. If nothing works then chains it is I guess.

 

NO, NO, NO, do not use 4 lo for this. Lo range does not improve traction, it just reduces the gear ratios by almost 3X normal. Lo range puts too much torque on the ground and it is HARDER to prevent the wheels from spinning. On level ground put the transmission in hi range and 2nd gear. Manual or automatic, it doesn't matter. This will allow you to get moving without spinning the wheels. In lo range you will spin the wheels, that gets the rubber hot and melts the snow creating a film of water on top of ice.

If you have much of an incline momentum is your friend. You don't want to be creeping slowly up hill in snow. Get a running start in a gear low that is low enough that you won't have to downshift and keep moving steadily at as close to the same speed all the way to the top.

 

4lo would help keep wheel spin down, or if your driveway is like 2+ feet of fresh snow (i wish mine was) id be in 4lo to plow through it. But if its just snowy and packed down to a hard surface, speed is probably your only reliable friend there.

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld!

 

Welcome to TW!!

 

Welcome to TW!

I use 4L a lot in any off road situation because it’s easier on the transmission. And because I’m not usually going more than 25 mph.

Do what ever works for you. You’ll figure this out through trying different things in different situations.

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome to TW!

 

If you have a newer Tacoma with Crawl Control then use it. Especially if you have stock tires. I got “Stuck” at my buddies ranch on a small snow packed hill. No biggie right? 4WH (4 to 3 to 2 way down to 1) then 4WL half way up...started sliding sideways and down.... long story short..used Crawl Control and made it out. Pretty sick setting and made me a believer in new Tech that I never had before.

Sure there are haters here. No biggie but Toyota has something here.

The noise is a bit unsettling though. Ha. It works.

I no longer have stock tires so I am looking forward to trying it out on even crazier slopes. Plus I am looking at Snow Chains. (Another Thread)

Happy Trails.

 

While I don’t disagree that 4HI and a slow application of throttle is the best choice for the OP’s situation, gear selection in an automatic is not the same as a manual. If you select 2 in our autos all you’re doing is limiting the highest gear the transmission will shift into, not setting what gear it is actually in.