Hybrids only thread.

I am no expert in driving in the snow. The only reason I suggest 4LO is because downhill engine drag keeps you moving at a steady and slow rate reducing your tendency to step on the brake (which can cause traction loss). Your steep up and down climb calls for caution when snow and ice present driving issues. Uphill? I would try both 4 High and Low. It will be up to your comfort level. Along with your speed, slippage, and how much road you have for recovering from slipping and sliding. "Auto" is always a good place to start. The default in 4LO is no locking diff, but it is a stop, shift to neutral, and button press away if you choose to try it in 4LO.

 

Have you been out yet? We got 3” of snow today.

 

I just snowshoed down the road and up again, and it's anywhere from 3"-6" still left from the weekend. We might get another dusting tomorrow night.

I'm less worried about the straight shot slopes than the sloping curves... Here's a pic. I'm not sure this adequately portrays the steepness of the slope.

Separately, since other people were talking about MPG, I was getting close to 23mpg but since the weather has gotten colder it's dropped to more like 22. Anyone else see it change in cold weather?

 

Here's another angle--

 

4 low and air down to at least 20 psi on your first attempt. Airing down will provide immensely more traction in slow going snow and ice.

I aired down to 15 psi this fall to get over Monarch pass in CO on a freak early winter blizzard. Even used my speed bleeders to help emergency service vehicles air down to get up to points to help drivers that went off the road or had rolled down off cliffs. Was night and day difference in traction on snow/ice.

watch this.. start at 12 mins to get right into the importance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD4dfLAlyD4

 

I drove both the Hybrid and non hybrid Taco yesterday. On regular driving conditions they both drive nice but it is when you need that immediate oomph is where you then realize the big difference in torque. WOW!

 

Well, did you go skiing today?

 

I made it down the road no problem, in 4L using MTS on auto, but at the end of the day I did not make it back up! Super frustrating. I tried everything, including activating the rear locker, but when I started to really climb, it just wasn't moving, so I had to reverse back down. After a while, had the dumb idea to try and turn around so I could go forward down the hill the rest of the way, and I got myself stuck. Neighbor came and helped me dig out around it, then I was able to back out and reverse down the road until I got to a driveway where I could turn it around. So I guess I'm going to be snowshoeing my groceries up the hill.

Who mentioned the Falkens? Neighbor thought I needed more serious off-road tires. I'm not sure that would be enough. Maybe chains. Maybe a helicopter...

 

Sounds like that hill is going to be a problem year round, even with aggressive mud tires.

 

Dedicated snow tires like Blizzak's could likely be a game changer for you.

 

For now I'm going with chains on the back. Although it's not easy to find somewhere to buy them, if anyone has suggestions? I thought auto parts stores would have them but so far, no. Dealer doesn't have them. Tire store doesn't have them. The tire guy suggested Vredestein Pinza AT tires, for when I'm ready to replace the Falkens. Says he has them on his f-150 and they can handle anything.

 

http://tirechains.com

 

Ok so I changed my mind after talking to more tire people, and I decided to put a few hundred lbs of tube sand in the back and see if that does it. Everything will probably melt next weekend when it rains, and then I'll have mud, but I've gotten up there in mud with my 18yo Honda Pilot 4x4, so I'm not as worried about that.

 

Go with thinner tires, like a 265, get severe snow rated, studded. I live at 9000 ft in Colorado and have no issues unless I high center. Snow or ice. Here are the ones I got.

$219+ Firestone Winterforce LT Tires

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...false&fromCompare1=yes&cameFrom=WinterSection

For summer I will have a 285 70 17, probably K03s. Just havent ordered them yet.

 

Anybody know who other than Greenland and CaliRaised LED state that their rock sliders are hybrid compatible? I'm seeing what my options are for a 6' bed Trailhunter so if anybody has info or installed some then I'd really like to hear about it.

 

RCI

https://rcimetalworks.com/product/rock-sliders-4th-gen-tacoma/

 

Is your X5 Msport? I have the 2015 X5 Msport with Adaptive suspension which really tightens all 4 corners of the SUV and handles very well.

 

We have the 2024 X5 xDrive40i. It has some of the M treatments, but it is not the M Competition.

 

Tundra not taco but just went over 14k trouble free hybrid miles. Great truck !

 

Curious to know. Hybrid off road owners what tire size did you get and brand?
Thanks.