How does your 3rd gen handle driving in snow?

Mine just became my best handling vehicle ever in the snow. I used to think my ‘97 Civic with snows was as good as it gets even over many other 4wd vehicles. My 17 Tacoma with Nokian Hakkapliletta R2 SUV’s just eclipsed it.

The traction / stability control system is phenomenal. Sure it restricts your fun when trying to be a twat in the snow but when it gets away on you this thing saves your ass. I left a small plaza the other day and usually leave by the back entrance which was hard packed and icy as well. I came around the corner and it acted like it I was going to do a 180 and then the system kicked in and it was like a giant hand grabbed the truck and put it back into the slot car slots.

 

I dont know about that, full size trucks are completely imbalanced compared to midsize trucks due to the weight of the engine and transmission up front. The tacomas engine and transmission aren't as excessive compared to the rest of the vehicle. The 6.7 Powerstroke weighs about 1000lbs alone. Our little 3.5L weighs about 400 if that.

I recall driving down from PA last winter in an epic snow storm and the Superduty in front of mme going around a long down hill curve completely lost it, tail just went out and he spin 180 across the road and into the oncoming ditch. I as traveling at the same speed in stock tires and the truck never flinched.

 

The best vehicle for snow is a POS and no one in the way...

 

The first day I owned my Taco I drove over Mt Hood in a blizzard. When there was no other vechiles around I stomped the brakes to see what she would do and all she did was stop! Gunned it after stopping and she went, very well behaved totally stock.

 

Like a friggin' champ. Mobbed through a foot of powder last season for 20 miles. Didn't slide once.

 

If you press and hold the button for about 10/15 seconds at full stop in drive... All the nannies go away (except Mrs Doubtfire, she can stay)

 

Dude, curious...when was this pic taken?

 

When it snowed

 

I borrowed a 94 ish pre-taco in the blizzard of January 96 in northern Virginia. Did awesome. It made me by my 96 taco while working in dc no issues, same with ‘99 ext cab or. My 05 sport with lsd back end wanted to kick out making turns in 2wd, 4wd locked it up go anywhere, no traction/stability control. Could still play to learn the 16 year old counter steering & abs. Never got stuck with Costco version of Michelin Ltx

Waiting to play with the 17, probably have to wait 18 months till I get back to the right coast

 

Just from the way the brakes work on dry pavement I'd have to agree.

If it ever rains here or snows in socal I'll see if what the WA people posted holds true for me....I'm doubtful. The OEM tires are nice but have no bite to the tread whatsoever.

 

We got 9” over the past couple days here. First time I drove mine in the snow and it performed great. I have KO2’s, not stock tires. It hooked up effortlessly from a stop, and cornering was uneventful. Pretty impressed so far.

 

Last March, right after I got the truck.

 

Once you hit 25mph, one of them re-engages. I think it's the VSC, I can't remember from last year. Mine is a MT, not sure if that makes a difference.

 

Drive with mine off all the time. Never seen it turn back on at 25 or 85.

 

You may actually be right, here's what I found in an older post. I thought I remembered it kicking back in last year, next time it snows here I'll mess around with the different settings:

1. Traction Control: This means that if wheel slip is detected, the engine cuts power until wheel slip stops. This is not Auto LSD or VSC.
2. Auto LSD: This means that the brakes are used in an attempt to limit wheel slip and increase torque to the wheel that has grip. This may also affect engine output as well. This is not strictly traction control or VSC, though the owner's manual describes it as using the "traction control system," which is kind of true.
3. Vehicle Stability Control: This means that if the vehicle is sliding sideways, etc., it will cut engine power and/or apply the brakes in an attempt to stop what is causing the non-stable condition.

In some vehicles like the Tundra pressing the switch in various orders can provide different modes of operation. I haven't experimented with the 2016-17 Tacoma beyond what the owner's manual discusses.

In 2WD mode, pressing the TRAC/VSC OFF button once activates Auto LSD mode (turns off normal traction control and activates Auto LSD), VSC continues to operate. The truck will stay in this mode until driven above 30 mph (50 km/h).
In 4WD mode, pressing the TRAC/VSC OFF button once turns off traction control and does not activate Auto LSD mode. VSC continues to operate.

Pressing and holding the TRAC/VSC OFF button for 3 seconds disables traction control and VSC. It does not activate Auto LSD mode and will continue to stay off even at higher speeds unless the button is pressed again.

 

My truck killed it in the snow here back in 2015/2016. We had a 2.5 ft snowstorm in one night. Got up early before the roads were plowed to go to work and the thing just went through it like nobody's business. I'm running KO2s and they were phenomenal.

Also had a rescue mission to get a 4Runner with bad tires off of some service roads during that same storm. I went out there with a friend who had an F150. I had to pull his truck out about 6 times during that trip, and we never made it to the 4Runner because he kept getting stuck. I didn't get stuck once on dirt roads with 2.5 feet of snow, even going uphill.

This truck is awesome in the snow provided you have good tires. The weight and balance seems very even compared to other trucks I've driven

 

I think MT makes the difference... When I depress the button enough to turn everything off, nothing comes on after that at any point. Matter of fact some the TRAC OFF light in the dash changes as well... I'll post a video in a little bit when I get the chance

 

THIS. @ackshen

 

Perfect

 

Even with stock Goodyears, I'm quite surprised how well it handles snow, even in 2wd. I have 2- 40lb water softener salt bags over each rear tire so the extra weight helps but when it does start to slip out I just put it in 4hi and off I go!