Snow Covered Roads City/Highway -- 2H or 4H?

[Truckin91]

This my first ever time owning a 4x4 pickup truck and I own the TRD-OR. Can anyone clarify do I keep my truck in 2H when there’s snow covered roads in the city and highway? Technically i’m still on the road so I’m a little confused. Also do I keep my truck in 2H in the rain?

Secondly what is the proper way to engage 4H like what order do I shift from Drive, to Neutral, to 4H? I know its not automatic 4wd so that means I need to be in park before switching to neutral and then 4wd correct? Thanks for the feedback.

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[timetoeatpotatoes]

You want to use 4Hi for low traction scenarios or you'll get binding as the diff tries to figure things out.

I try to keep it in 2H unless I need it. If the whole road is totally snowed/iced over, I'll go into 4H.

If its patchy, I'll stay in 2H. if it's raining, I stay in 2h, still too much traction.

You don't need to be in park to go into 4H. IIRC the manual states you can go from 2H into 4H up to like 60mph.

Now, 4low is a different story. gotta be stopped in neutral.


EDIT a little extra weight in the back never hurt. used to carry around a few bags of sand or salt when I was in michigan

 

[Truckin91]

You want to use 4Hi for low traction scenarios or you'll get binding as the diff tries to figure things out.

I try to keep it in 2H unless I need it. If the whole road is totally snowed/iced over, I'll go into 4H.

If its patchy, I'll stay in 2H. if it's raining, I stay in 2h, still too much traction.

You don't need to be in park to go into 4H. IIRC the manual states you can go from 2H into 4H up to like 60mph.

Now, 4low is a different story. gotta be stopped in neutral.


EDIT a little extra weight in the back never hurt. used to carry around a few bags of sand or salt when I was in michigan

Okay thank you

 

[Airborne]

I have had toyota trucks for 40 years , i keep it simple and i dont over think it…..if the roads have snow on the pavement, just put it in 4h…forget the rain you could tweak a universal , no need for 4 wheel drive in the rain….if the snow covered roads clear as your in 4 h. Pull off safely go back into 2 wheel drive

 

[Truckin91]

I have had toyota trucks for 40 years , i keep it simple and i dont over think it…..if the roads have snow on the pavement, just put it in 4h…forget the rain you could tweak a universal , no need for 4 wheel drive in the rain….if the snow covered roads clear as your in 4 h. Pull off safely go back into 2 wheel drive

I like this short and sweet. Thank you!

 

[MT-Taco]

This my first ever time owning a 4x4 pickup truck and I own the TRD-OR. Can anyone clarify do I keep my truck in 2H when there’s snow covered roads in the city and highway? Technically i’m still on the road so I’m a little confused. Also do I keep my truck in 2H in the rain?
Secondly what is the proper way to engage 4H like what order do I shift from Drive, to Neutral, to 4H? I know its not automatic 4wd so that means I need to be in park before switching to neutral and then 4wd correct? Thanks for the feedback.

I Ski a lot. Last trip was 320 miles 70% in 4hi. I switched in and out several times. When roads are snow covered I’ll switch to 4Hi when they clear no matter what speed I switch back to 2hi. Don’t worry if you forget to switch back to 2hi just make sure you do before making slow sharp turns on pavement! You will feel it while turning, if you don’t switch back to 2 hi, it’ll most likely be ok but you will sooner than later break something. You’ll never need 4lo on snow covered roads.

 

[Truckin91]

I Ski a lot. Last trip was 320 miles 70% in 4hi. I switched in and out several times. When roads are snow covered I’ll switch to 4Hi when they clear no matter what speed I switch back to 2hi. Don’t worry if you forget to switch back to 2hi just make sure you do before making slow sharp turns on pavement! You will feel it while turning, if you don’t switch back to 2 hi, it’ll most likely be ok but you will sooner than later break something. You’ll never need 4lo on snow covered roads.

Appreciate the feedback thanks!

 

[Muckle]

Solid advice. I'd also add to avoid full lock of the steering wheel in 4H or 4L, if possible. There's a lot of stress in that situation - better to be safe than sorry.

 

[OhioTaco]

Go to your local big box lumber yard and grab 6 bags of construction sand. 50lbs each and only $5 a bag. The 300lbs makes a huge difference in snow....even with my crappy stock tires. I call it my hillbilly leveling kit.

 

[Truckin91]

Go to your local big box lumber yard and grab 6 bags of construction sand. 50lbs each and only $5 a bag. The 300lbs makes a huge difference in snow....even with my crappy stock tires. I call it my hillbilly leveling kit.

Lol interesting okay

 

[TacoBC]

I also try to keep it in 2H unless I really need it. Like @OhioTaco said, a bit of weight in the rear goes a long way also. If you keep your movements/braking slow and steady you'll feel when you need 4H a lot of the time. It's also worth testing your traction on a small side road or car park in a safe environment to see what the limits are. Give it a little more trottle or brake and see how the truck reacts.

On the 4th gen tacoma, since the wheel lock is less I wonder is it safe to actually go full lock in 4H/L. I have done it once or twice in slow and no noises or funny vibrations.

 

[Truckin91]

I also try to keep it in 2H unless I really need it. Like @OhioTaco said, a bit of weight in the rear goes a long way also. If you keep your movements/braking slow and steady you'll feel when you need 4H a lot of the time. It's also worth testing your traction on a small side road or car park in a safe environment to see what the limits are. Give it a little more trottle or brake and see how the truck reacts.

On the 4th gen tacoma, since the wheel lock is less I wonder is it safe to actually go full lock in 4H/L. I have done it once or twice in slow and no noises or funny vibrations.

Nice okay thanks!

 

[Goriders]

From my experience the Tacoma is 100 times better than my old F150. I had to run it in 4hi most of the winter as it got terrible traction in 2wd.

I’d echo what most others are saying. Clear roads 2wd. If it’s fresh snow or icy I switch to 4hi.

Don’t think I’ve ever used 4lo. Think it’s mainly for if you get stuck or you are pulling someone out who is stuck.

As for shifting you can shift in and out of 4hi up to 60 mph but I try and do it at a stop or lower speed. Don’t think there’s a speed limit in 4hi.

The Tacoma 4wd setup is way better than my old F150. Shifting, smoothness. Just works better in my opinion.

 

[Truckin91]

From my experience the Tacoma is 100 times better than my old F150. I had to run it in 4hi most of the winter as it got terrible traction in 2wd.

I’d echo what most others are saying. Clear roads 2wd. If it’s fresh snow or icy I switch to 4hi.

Don’t think I’ve ever used 4lo. Think it’s mainly for if you get stuck or you are pulling someone out who is stuck.

As for shifting you can shift in and out of 4hi up to 60 mph but I try and do it at a stop or lower speed. Don’t think there’s a speed limit in 4hi.

The Tacoma 4wd setup is way better than my old F150. Shifting, smoothness. Just works better in my opinion.

Nice thanks I feel my confidence growing lol we have snow mix Ice Storm coming this week I’m trying to prepare for the worst just in case I need to go somewhere ya know?

 

[Goriders]

I have snow tires as well. That a big upgrade over the oem all seasons.

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