Pretty impressed with the tacoma tonight in the ice and snow

Only thing i got to figure out is when to use all those other traction features besides just 4 high and 4 low, lol but 4 high works for good now

 

I had the opportunity to drive a few 4 wheel drives when I was younger in the National guard years ago but it was in the Summer and we did a mud training course at Ft Dix NJ.
40 years later I bought my Taco. First Winter Storm later I was driving in 2WD and pulled into what I thought was a plowed parking lot due to poor visibility. The Drifts were up Well past the frame and I was concerned I would not get out and have to call for help - I had had a couple beers and did not look forward to the local law checking into the situation possibly when the tow truck arrived. Well, I put in 4 hi and it drove like I was on dry pavement even when I gave it the pedal. 4WD worth every penny !!

 

I her

I herd that i got stuck behind traffic in the nantahala gorge in north carolina with my f150 2 wd work truck in a snow storm right at dark on the uphill side of the mountain, if it hadnt been for a snow plow and salt truck id probably still be there lol

 

4 high is the way to go as long as your driving straight and not doing any tight turns. Just don't go over 50 mph's cause it sneaks up on you.

 

Th taco is a beast in the snow with 4wd , if you put 250lbs of sand in your bed over top your rear axle it will go through anything

 

I love my 4WD but hate the ABS

 

This is incorrect and only for dry pavement, you can shift in to 4hi below 60mph and shift out at any point, do whay ever speed you want once engaged. With the snow and ice your tires won't bind up or grab like on dry pavement.

 

Read and enjoy the mod
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/4lo-trac-abs-kill-switch-why-why-not.257444/

 

It's true that these trucks do very well in low traction situations. The suggestion for weight in the bed is good too. Just keep in mind that tires are an extremely important factor in the equation. Have the right tires for the conditions in which you'll be driving.

 

Yea tires play a big role in traction , it pays to have good tires

 

I always have separate winter and summer tires/ wheels. When the winter tires wear down, they become summer tires.

 

I've owned 15 4x4 vehicles over the last 40 years. My Tacoma seems to be the best all around in snow or off road. In some off road situations a smaller Wrangler will go into tight spots other vehicles won't go, but overall the Tacoma's are hard to beat. It is the perfect balance of wheelbase, weight distribution, power, turning radius and proper gearing among others things.

If it is safe to drive over about 30 mph you have no business in 4X4. These are not AWD vehicles and they work very differently. The 4X4 feature should be used to get you moving, especially up inclines, in DEEP snow, or other really slick spots. Once moving on level ground or where traction is good enough to drive over 20-25 mph shift back to 4X2. It only takes a second to change, do so as needed.

Once up to speed you're not helping anything and in fact are more likely to lose traction and spin out in 4X4 than 4X2. With a 4X4 system the inside tires are designed to break traction and spin on the road surface when cornering. Not a problem on slick surfaces and at slow speeds. But on dry pavement or at higher speeds not good.

The AWD systems are designed to send power to all 4 wheels at different speeds and work great on snow, ice or dry pavement at any speed. They don't work well in deep snow or off road. True 4X4 systems are designed for off road use and deep snow. In lighter snow they are a huge help, but not as good as AWD. There are too many drivers out there who don't understand the differences.

 

I disagree with some parts of your post. The truck will steer better in 4wd on slippery surfaces, making accident avoidance and maintaining control easier. If you down shift, it is easier to maintain control while slowing your speed on slippery surfaces in 4x4. I have nearly an hour commute one way in northwestern Montana and work full time at a ski area. My commute includes driving up and down a mountain, often before road maintenance is performed in the morning. I've been driving to this job for 15 years, in addition to all of my other winter driving experience in nearly 30 years of driving.

I'm not suggesting your experiences are invalid. I'm just saying that your suggestions don't apply to all winter driving situations.

 

Just Remember - 4WD helps in slippery situations - but the brakes/stopping is the still the same as 2WD. Just because you can get better traction in 4wd at higher speeds does not mean you will be able to stop. Take it Easy and be safe for you, your passengers and others which you share he road.

 

I always thought the pickup in general sucks in the snow. My 4runner is way better with the weight.

My 400+whp talon is even better. With 50/50 AWD, vicious lsd, and snow tires she tears up the ice. Wish the did ice 8th mile drag. Be so much fun.

 

When in doubt. Throttle out. It's hard to learn in a 4x4.

 

Best setting I found is to put the truck in Park/neutral and hold down the LSD button untill both lights come on. This disables all traction aids (as far as I can tell) and will allow to freely spin tires as much as you want. This was extremely helpful when trying to keep momentum while plowing through snow drifts

 

Just so you know, the ABS will still engage at that setting. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. Just a PSA

 

Correct, I was more referring to the LSD.

 

My truck handles better than my talon tsi.
Fuel rails and big turbo make my awd super fast.. i smoke 5.0's and older corvettes..
But i can hardly touch the gas without sliding around in snow and ice.
However it is better on the snow than the wife's civic