Taco in the snow

We had a fresh 16” of snow overnight with high winds. When I left this morning most of the roads were untouched with high drifts. Was really impressed with Tacoma over my previous 06 4Runner. Might be because it’s so much longer, but it handled it really well without being squirrelly at all. Jealous of you people that get all the light powder snow in the mountains. Ours is usually heavy wet snow, this was great. A lot easier shoveling when I got home too.

 

The snow from last night was shockingly grippy. I was doing nearly the speed limit in some areas of the freeway when you couldn't see the pavement. I had to drive by rumble strip feel in a couple of spots.

 

I've been impressed with both my Tacoma's in the snow. My 2009 AC TRD OR and current 2021 DCSB TRD OR perform great. The roads the other night coming home from work were mostly untouched and I didn't even need 4wd. Even going up the mountain (roughly 10% grade) I didn't need 4wd, I just turned it on halfway up just to use it. Both had/have the factory Goodyear Kevlar's (the 2009 had take offs from a 2019). I am a person that drives with caution though, I didn't hardly go over 35mph. I'll let all the other idiots fly up the road.

 

I saw about 10 cars stuck in my short commute. Mostly pulling into out of gas stations, side streets etc. I was going slow but went through some deep stuff. I’m on the factory Goodyear’s and they don’t do bad anywhere I’ve taken it yet. My 4Runner was on E loads and being shorter it slid around a bit more, but not jeep bad.

 

Just got my Tacoma last week and I have been thoroughly impressed with it in the snow. Fresh 10” last night and took in on some hilly back roads. Did an amazing job. LED headlights make it simple to see in the dark!

 

Wait a minute. A thread that praises the Tacoma? My heart swells with pride!

 

It’s not likely anything more than a combination of snow type and tires (assuming your are comparing 4wd vs 4wd). Snow changes dramatically based on several factors; especially temperature. Cold weather snow (<25F) tends to be less slippery, less dense, and more predictable.

 

Post #3 Proves it, its the tires

 

Most of our snow is usually wet heavy slop in my area, this was cold fluffy snow. Longer wheel base does make a difference though, I’ve had everything from a CJ-5 to TJ, full size truck, 4Runner etc. longer wheelbase seem to track a straighter line over “slick” terrain. I do think the factory tires are decent in the snow though. Really wish I could have just gone driving around more in it instead of going to work...

 

I use to live what was outside of the city where we'd have two foot snow drifts to play in. Now, the roads are heavily salted before it snows, and this morning the snowplows were done before the sun came up. Makes me want to write the county and complain about their efficiency.

 

That happened on one of the streets in my town on Saturday. We drove by just as the errant tire dug itself into a snow bank. 20 seconds earlier and I'd probably be doing an "Is my Tacoma totalled?" thread.

That said, I'm impressed with how well mine drives in the snow. I'm less impressed with how quickly the radome gets covered with snow and makes the PCS inoperative.

 

TOYOTA did a great job picking the stock tire IMO, I'm sure others will disagree because their operational environment maybe different and performance can vary

 

I tend to agree. I’ve had 3 different sets of tires on a 3rd gen: the stock Firestone all-seasons, the stock Goodyear all-terrains, and Dick Capek 33” tall skinny mud-terrains. The all-terrains were significantly better in the snow than the all-seasons. The mud terrains might be slightly better than the stock all-terrains but it’s only really noticeable in extreme conditions.

 

we had about 10" of snow here the other day. I had saved my Hankook Ipike RW11's from my 2nd gen when I sold it. I decided to put them on my third gen because, hell, I have them, why not? Why risk an accident because I'm too lazy to mount my studs. Put them on, wow, what a billy goat. Although every toyota I've ever owned have been great snow rigs anyway. The only reason I bought the studs was we skiied a lot and studs are better and I could afford them. I only put them on and off when needed, I dont run them for long. I'm prob taking them back off tomorrow. I've had them for years and still look new tread wise, but the studs are a tad worn but still good.

 

I was pleasantly surprised at how well my Tacoma did in the snow the other day. I'm used to driving a 9700lb service truck around so I thought the Tacoma might be a bit to get used to in the snow but for a light truck it did great.

 

I drove mine in snow about three days after I got it last April. I came from a short-wheelbase 4x4 which got squirly in snow but I was happy to find that my Taco drove much better. The only issue I had was after driving in blowing snow for about an hour the sensor for the radar cruise control iced over and snow was partially blocking the LED headlights and fogs.

 

I've heard that complaint about a lot of vehicles with adaptive cruise control and never understand it. Why would anyone use cruise in the snow?

 

I wasn't using the Cruise Control (adaptive or otherwise) however the sensor is still 'on' I'm guessing as a part of the collision avoidance package. It gives an error message. It happened again a few months later after a day of four-wheeling. Easy to clean and all is good again.

 

Southerner here.....

I don't need to leave home. So, I haven't tried to navigate the snowy/icy roads. For those of you that do, is airing down the tires something you do? If so, by how much?

TIA

 

Fair enough, But I have heard the specific complaint of "I can't use my adaptive cruise control in the snow" Those people should just take the bus and stay off the roads lol.

I've never aired down for the snow, cold temps usually do that a bit for me anyway haha.