Toyotas driving in the Snow Problem

About using ANY form of cruise control in snow or heavy rain- just don’t.

 

If only the earth would warm up so we just lived in the desert.

 

Hey, bit of a truck noob here but is there a speed I should avoid driving above in 4x4? I was driving the freeway in MT and often forgetting to put back in 2wd when conditions improved and found myself going 75 at times in 4wd. Is that bad for the engine/transmission? Owners manual didn’t help me with this question.

 

I've seen a lot of comments saying to not use it above 55 MPH because of the transfer case. But there is no documentation anywhere to support that claim (that I have found) on the newer Tacomas. I have driven in 4WD at about 75 MPH for an extended period of time. I also know different vehicles/older ones would limit you to a certain speed when in 4WD but the new Tacomas don't do that anymore. Might be advancements in the system.

If anyone knows otherwise, I'd love to see paperwork from Toyota (or any reputable source) about this!

 

Last night the winds gusted to 52 MPH with a -34 below zero wind chill. Steady winds at 35+ and temps of -9 below zero! Just to darn cold to go out and play on the tractor busting drifts. I could make a ton of money right now if it wasn't so friggen cold out with the winds!! Don't need money that bad! Posted a picture before of it and my head lights had snow on them from just sitting there. I had put the Rain-X on them before this. Little later it just fell off the lights and Emblem but not on the rest of the grill. So it must help some? Supposed to slow down and warm up some in a few days??

On the driving in 4x4 at speeds if there is ice or snow on the road it is in 4x4 and I just drive at a safe speed depending on the conditions. It can be over 60 Plus MPH or under it even in old 4x4 rigs. My 76 4x4 1 ton Chevy I could do 60-65 and pull it in any time I needed in High Range if my Hubs were locked in which are during the winter most of the time. Nice part it went in right off! My 2022 TRD takes a while to do it need to make sure I pay attention and not find out in a blind curve I should have done it earlier!

 

I think it is fine to go the speed limit in 4WD. There is a limit where if you are over it will not allow you to change to 4WD and that is very unpleasant when you hit a sudden snow squall with limited visibility and sudden icy roads. So put it in 4WD if needed and stay in even if shorter patches of time when you don’t need it.

 

Agree with everybody else…. The road conditions will limit your speed before the drivetrain does

 

I just installed the Diode Dynamics SS3 pro fogs. Definitely plug and play. I had them installed and aimed in about 30-45 minutes. Take the grill off to install them as most people are going through the fender liner which is a pain in the ass.

 

Nice Lights!!! This is what I have been dealing with the last 24 hours at my Home. This RAWS Weather Station is about 2 miles same elevation. Look at the reports each our. Should let up a little tomorrow?? KRAMER (noaa.gov)

Least the County Snow Blower went thru just now!

 

Putting the sand bags right behind the cab vs over the axle makes a huge difference in a reg cab truck. I also move my spare to the front of the bed in the winter. Strap down to rings I installed on bed bolts.

 

First time off road in the snow today. Unimproved tore up chunky snow to get my front tire off my tractor. Road out in a Dodge 4x4 Dulley back in with my TRD and wow what a difference I could fly in and out the Dodge was almost getting stuck! I really love this truck now! Nothing in the bed going in and a tire coming out! Got my 4x4 tractor stuck bad front tire in a hole all 4 tires spinning. Hooked the TRD to it my Daughter at the wheel. Low range it pulled me out all 7,000 lbs plus and the tires did not even spin on packed snow. You could hear them squeaking on the snow when it moved. Great traction!! Going back out to the tractor now tire is here.

 

my Tacoma on the ice, i was able to drive it safely.

 

It’s not a great idea to use cruise on the snow.
But, you can still use it in the old school mode when the sensor is covered.

 

Absolutely agree. But…

Watch out for the fuzz. When I was a young buck, I had a new to the force make an example of me. The violations they can choose from to pile on for simple donuts can be dead serious. After the fact I came to find he was pissed off having previously warned (other) kids in that lot earlier that night. It very nearly changed the trajectory of my whole life, no hyperbole.

 

What Snow .

 

Snow and ice buildup is a problem with most lights now, LED is much worse than the standard Tacoma lights.

As far as your travel issues, a few things can help. Weight in bed is a must, 300# works well.
Buy some chains, 6” of snow is a lot to try to push through. They are a requirement to have on some mountain passes out west.
Speed is NOT your friend. If the truck is shifting a lot, put the trans in a lower gear. The shifting often will break the rear loose.

 

I can attest to the shifting issue. I used to travel regularly over Rogers Pass (on MT200 between Missoula and Great Falls MT). I was more impatient in my youth and decided to pass a semi in the ice and snow. I really did not think it all that slippery. I was in a 2005 Chevy Colorado (with a 220-hp, 3.5-liter five-cylinder!) with four sandbags over the axle. I was in 4x4, but as I passed that semi I hit some deeper snow and the transmission downshifted. The wheels cut loose, and I lost control. I had to make a decision about whether to slip under the semi or try to steer into the opposite oncoming lane. The road was empty so I took the oncoming lane. The result was taking out a road side reflector post and high centering on a snow bank.

Cell service was sketchy, but the trucker had a CB and called the state patrol. The officer told me he had to give me a ticket. "Too fast for conditions".... "do you agree?" Uh, look at my truck! He pulled the road side post back in position, issued the ticket and called a wreaker. When I went in front of a Missoula County judge to explain the situation, she ended up giving me a ticket for $20, warning me that driving too fast for conditions can mean driving school and potentially a night in jail depending on the circumstances. (After I agreed, she told me "You did the right thing... keeping the damage to your own vehicle.... drive more carefully!"). I felt lucky. And it was a company leased vehicle. So I got to drive a loaded Ford F150 while it was being repaired. I always locked the transmission gear when I was travelling up or down any snowy pass after that. Be careful out there.

 

Mine handles the snow very well.

 

unless the business pushes for it, cops can’t ticket on private property like parking lots.

 

I’ve drove that pass many times when stationed at Malmstrom. It’s been quite a while…..left in 96