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Be careful on icy hills when you let off the throttle

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by hvac9500Toyota, Mar 29, 2022.

  1. Mar 29, 2022 at 7:26 PM
    #1
    hvac9500Toyota

    hvac9500Toyota [OP] Member

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    The last time I posted I was looking into a Tacoma, coming from a Tundra. I did get a 2021 TRD Off Road with the 6-foot bed. I am now in the process of selling the Tundra, it will be listed on Cars & Bids hopefully within the next week.

    I wanted to share what happened to me this past Monday with the Tacoma, mainly so to help others be careful on the ice. The Tacoma and the Tundra both will automatically downshift when you go down a steep hill and are off the gas, which is fine. But this last Monday the roads were snowy and icy. I was coming to a steep hill on a road that I drive often. The hill also has an S-curve on it. When I started down the hill, I was not going fast enough that I should lose traction, but when the truck downshifted, the rear wheels lock and in a spit second, I was completely sideways and in the wrong lane. I was shocked as to how fast it got out from under me and it was really hard to straighten it back out until I realized what was going on I then put it in neutral and I was able to regain control. I was only in 2-wheel drive wheel drive, not sure if it would make a difference to be in 4. You would think that the stability control would have stopped the wheels from locking or at least helped but I never heard or felt the system engage.
     
  2. Mar 29, 2022 at 7:31 PM
    #2
    Canadian Caber

    Canadian Caber R.I.P Layne Staley 67-2002

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    In my 2020 I use S mode to control the Auto transmission in those situations.
     
  3. Mar 29, 2022 at 7:31 PM
    #3
    VTCAL

    VTCAL Well-Known Member

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    rotated tires changed oil threw out the old air freshener.
    That would only happen by intentional inputs from the driver with a MANUAL TRANSMISSION. ;-)

    Does the Toyota slush box offer a "manual gear select" feature? Audi would call it "TIP"
     
  4. Mar 29, 2022 at 7:38 PM
    #4
    OnHartung'sRoad

    OnHartung'sRoad -So glad I didn't take the other...

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    “S” mode.
     
  5. Mar 29, 2022 at 7:39 PM
    #5
    OnHartung'sRoad

    OnHartung'sRoad -So glad I didn't take the other...

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    Somewhere in the Mojave Desert...
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    This should be mentioned in the owner’s manual.
     
    tuktoyaktuktoyota and Vmax540 like this.
  6. Mar 29, 2022 at 7:51 PM
    #6
    tacovagon

    tacovagon Well-Known Member

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    I don't think ABS can do anything about skidding caused by engine braking.
     
  7. Mar 29, 2022 at 8:39 PM
    #7
    Dbarffish

    Dbarffish Well-Known Member

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    I think being in 4WD would help. Would it solve the issue-I’m not sure but having front diff and rear diff getting the same torque gives you a shot. This is where the ‘4WD doesn’t stop better than 2WD’ crowd gets it wrong. Also - while you do want to avoid having it in 4WD on dry roads for longevity - a smashed up rig due to NOT driving in 4WD isnt buying you any longevity. Had this happen to a friend. It was such a nice FJ - totaled due to being in 2WD on ice. Don’t be so afraid to have the truck in 4WD if there is any chance of ice!
     
  8. Mar 29, 2022 at 9:14 PM
    #8
    gudujarlson

    gudujarlson Well-Known Member

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    Snow and ice are a serious challenge. Practice makes perfect. Don't rely on the nannies, but they do help.
     
    tcjacado, Junkhead and Big tall dave like this.
  9. Mar 29, 2022 at 9:18 PM
    #9
    Sno39

    Sno39 Active Member

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    Good to know. Trying to avoid these types of situations!
     
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  10. Mar 29, 2022 at 9:22 PM
    #10
    Skydvrr

    Skydvrr IG: @kalopsianick

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    My truck will auto engine brake (downshift to slow maintain vehicle speed), with the shifter in D while going downhill.
     
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  11. Mar 29, 2022 at 9:32 PM
    #11
    Sno39

    Sno39 Active Member

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    Would having better tires made any difference during those icy condition?
     
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  12. Mar 30, 2022 at 2:09 AM
    #12
    Vmax540

    Vmax540 Well-Known Member

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    Which would require one to use S mode all winter long since, you never know when you'll encounter black ice or a patch where the sun doesn't dry up the road. I personally, wish this feature could be disabled.
     
  13. Mar 30, 2022 at 2:40 AM
    #13
    Forest Moon

    Forest Moon Well-Known Member

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    My understanding of S mode is that it will only limit the highest gear the transmission will shift into. So driving is S4, the truck will not go into 5th gear. I don't see how this will stop it from downshifting at unwanted times. Unless I'm wrong about how it works.
     
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  14. Mar 30, 2022 at 5:53 AM
    #14
    zoo truck

    zoo truck Well-Known Member

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    Being in new england i'm use to driving on icy roads. Just gotta remember when you operate a 4wd, you have twice the traction, yet the same braking as a 2wd. This tacoma is awesome on ice vs the gen1 tundra i came from.
     
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  15. Mar 30, 2022 at 6:01 AM
    #15
    coma toy

    coma toy Off Road Taco

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    You cant go wrong with 4wd drive technology in snowy & icy conditions. Even on rainy days, 4wd will avoid the rear spinning out. (Especially on a long box).

    Do your tires have the 3 peak snow designation?
     
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  16. Mar 30, 2022 at 6:02 AM
    #16
    D. Lengua

    D. Lengua Well-Known Member

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    it's not really a fault of the vehicle. you should do your slowing before you get to the steep section, then set your throttle where you want it. if you're on the edge of traction, any change in throttle/trans/braking can take you over that edge.
     
    cryptolime, WoodsGhost, fmb and 2 others like this.
  17. Mar 30, 2022 at 6:47 AM
    #17
    eurowner

    eurowner Duke Sky

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    The PCM/ECU controls ABS which used for traction control.


    FIFY. 100% correct.
     
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  18. Mar 30, 2022 at 7:01 AM
    #18
    zoo truck

    zoo truck Well-Known Member

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    The abs imo, sucks. I don't like it. I'm use to the old school braking where you have full control how you apply that brake petal. In my opinion all this high tech stuff is for people that can't drive to begin with.
     
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  19. Mar 30, 2022 at 7:06 AM
    #19
    TA2016

    TA2016 Well-Known Member

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  20. Mar 30, 2022 at 7:46 AM
    #20
    Fredk

    Fredk Well-Known Member

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    With my old Tundra I had it in cruise and hit an unseen patch of black ice. The truck started to go around and all the safety features completely saved me and the truck.
     

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