Moving from Vegas to Chicago - Winter Advice

Tleahcim said:

1. Do I need to "warm up the engine" after "stationing" the 4Runner for the weekend? Seems legit with battery concerns, but I'm wondering of the stock battery is heavy duty enough to forego this or if there are other technical reasons for doing so.

Click to expand...

"Warming up" the engine probably wouldn't hurt, especially if it has been sitting for a few days in cold temps (think below 20 F). I don't think its necessary, but necessary and preferred are two different subjects. I mostly turn my engine on a little in advance just to get the heater and defroster going.

Tleahcim said:

2. Is an air compressor really necessary for a "snow kit" like the 4th Gens suggest? Do I need anything other than a shovel with my drivetrain

Click to expand...

Not sure why you would "need" an air compressor due to the snow. It's not a bad tool to have around to modulate your tire pressure, but it's certainly not "needed."

A shovel isn't a bad idea, in case you get stuck. Having an ice scraper and brush is also recommended so you can clear out your windows prior to driving.

Tleahcim said:

3. I consider myself a pretty reasonable driver in terms of safety, but is there anything I should watch out for from other drivers to keep myself safe? People talk about how no one knows how to drive in the snow, but I'm assuming that's just standard whining.

Click to expand...

Some people don't know how to drive in the snow and there are accidents because of that. The key to snow driving is really simple: don't go as fast you normally would. Take it slow; give yourself a bit more standoff from other cars, especially when braking; cut the throttle if you feel the rear end coming loose. If you show even the slightest amount of caution and common sense, you'll be fine.

The reason some people "suck" at snow driving is because they barrel around corners and make split-second lane changes when there is snow and ice on the road; and then they're surprised when they spin out and end up on the road side.

Tleahcim said:

I'm probably overthinking things and I'm really more worried for the wife who is from CA and drives a Honda Fit so any general advice that I can also pass along is much appreciated. And no, she's not getting my keys or a 4Runner of her own!

Click to expand...

Does the Fit come with AWD? AWD with a good set of snow tires should be just fine.

Your limited's AWD, with the locking center diff, should also be more than adequate for dealing with snow and ice. Snow tires would make your 4runner even more capable, but with your lockable center diff, a set of A/T Tires should get you through most situations just fine.

Wow this is a great post. I can only add a couple things

1. Small Jump Pack is very helpful to have in your car

2. When you come to an intersection don't assume the guy that is coming at you (from behind, to the left or the right or even at you) can actually stop. Wait till it looks like he's almost completely stopped and then go across the intersection.

3. Exit/Entrance Ramps - Take them with caution in the snow we saw a lot of people in the ditch on Saturday because they assumed the ramps were as good as the road.

4. Look at the Pavement constantly and you will eventually get a read on what the actually conditions are. I really like the previous suggestion of stopping a little bit to the left or the right of where everyone else is stopping.

5. When making Right turns especially in Chicago make sure you look in your side mirror as people love to cross the intersection while you are turning. I seem many people get hit, run over and even killed by people turning right in the city.

6. Agree 100% on the shovel, good snow brush, hat, gloves, blanket.

7. I agree get your wife snow tires for the Honda Fit. I used to have a Mazda3 and it was worthless in the snow without them.

8. If you plan to live in Chicago make sure you get your conceal carry ID and maybe a nice 9mm.

9. I found that an empty plastic peanut container make a great restroom if your stuck in traffic for 2 hours. The large opening is an easy target.

I lived in Kansas City for 10 years. Only occasional snow, but frequent ice. Most people can learn to drive on snow with a little practice. Ice is another animal altogether.

Good tires is a must, but you should be good with AT. KO2's are winter rated.
The first snow find a parking lot without any lights to hit and practice starting, stopping, and curves.
When coming to an intersection, never assume the guy coming toward you will be able to stop.

And one very very important bit of advice: 4WD will help you to accelerate and help keep you from getting stuck, but it will do absolutely nothing to help you slow down. Leave plenty of space in front of you, and start braking early.

ETA: 2nd Chances post above mine is good

A lot of very good advice above. It helps reduce this.

Peyto said:

Canadian 4Runners come standard with a block heater

Click to expand...

Only in the prairie provinces

wash the vehicle along with the underside frequently during the winter to prevent rust

Griz said:

There are perhaps some lines that you don't want to take too far into some areas (e.g., too far West or South). Otherwise, you'll be perfectly find on the L.

Click to expand...

Yeah, don't take the red line to far south!

Watch out for black ice, you can't really see it. Especially on a day like today where stuff is melting during the day then the sun goes down and everything starts to freeze.

Was cruising down the Reagan (88) a few years back in my Tundra, roads seemed fine and out of nowhere I end up doing a 360, luckily no one was close to me and I kept going and I wasn't speeding, I was driving "safe" or so I thought.

Air compressor is an after thought but I usually notice they don't work at gas stations in the real cold, the freeze up and are out of order.

steer clear of that gun free cess pool, best advice I can give

M1911 said:

There are some lovely parts of Chicago. But the bad parts of town are really bad. Bad as in you might lose your life bad.

Click to expand...

I was in Chicago over July 4th weekend to attend 'Fare Thee Well' Grateful Dead 50 shows with my father. We heard gunshots while driving through some rough looking neighborhood in broad daylight. We also bought my 4th Gen during that trip in Naperville, IL. I was in the market & we happened across the perfect '06 Sport Edition V8. Raged three Grateful Dead shows then drove the 4Runner & my dad's BMW 535d (37mpg!) back to New York.

mckensel said:

-Keep your tank full of gas
I have waited in winter traffic due to wrecks or plows that turns my 40 min commute into 2 hours or standstill for a 30 minutes plus the 2 hours.
-Drain your windshield fluid if it's water based
-Keep a extra coat and blanket in your car along with some snacks
Hot hands
-I keep a army collapsible shovel to help if I leave the hospital and it just snowed and they plowed you are boxed in.
-Keep a good windshield scrapper with brush on it.

Keep your head and brake lights cleaned off after a snow and ice. It sucks driving in the snow in bumper to bumper traffic and the person in front of you has iced over lights and you can't tell what they are doing.

Click to expand...

I agree with everything [MENTION=128413]mckensel[/MENTION] mentions above & I'd like to add a few things:

-Good windshield wipers. Streaks across the windshield are annoying & make for poor visibility. Bad wipers will also cause snow to build up on them because they're not clearing the snow, just moving it around. Also keep them warm with the windshield defroster.

-Keep water in the car. It may freeze but important to have if you're stranded.

-Someone mentioned this above but clean the snow off your roof. Very dangerous & lazy when people leave snow up top, get on the highway, and create a blizzard behind them. Also if it freezes, imagine a sheet of ice blowing off the roof at 70mph. Someone was killed like that in NJ awhile back & now it's illegal to drive with snow on the roof in Jersey. Should be a law everywhere IMO.

-MOST IMPORTANT-
Downshift. Use your gears. Put it in a low gear when going down hills. Braking can cause the car to slide so I try to minimize touching my brake pedal in the snow. To slow down or stop I use a combination of downshifts & light touches of the brake. I feel I maintain more control using engine-braking. (Forget ABS for a second)...The wheels need to be spinning for the car to turn, if you lock up the brakes, not only are you sliding but now you can't turn. Use low gears but don't rev it too high & spin tire. Low RPMs to go, high RPMs to stop.

Good luck with the move! Post SnowRunner photos

Great Tip i have to tell my daughter this as she is just learning how to drive.

jmoskow said:

-MOST IMPORTANT-
Downshift. Use your gears. Put it in a low gear when going down hills. Braking can cause the car to slide so I try to minimize touching my brake pedal in the snow. To slow down or stop I use a combination of downshifts & light touches of the brake. I feel like I maintain more control using engine-braking. (Forget ABS for a second)...The wheels need to be spinning for the car to turn, if you lock up the brakes, not only are you sliding but now you can't turn. Use low gears but don't rev it too high & spin tire. Low RPMs to go, high RPMs to stop.

Good luck with the move! Post SnowRunner photos

Click to expand...

jmoskow said:

-MOST IMPORTANT-
Downshift. Use your gears. Put it in a low gear when going down hills. Braking can cause the car to slide so I try to minimize touching my brake pedal in the snow. To slow down or stop I use a combination of downshifts & light touches of the brake. I feel I maintain more control using engine-braking. (Forget ABS for a second)...The wheels need to be spinning for the car to turn, if you lock up the brakes, not only are you sliding but now you can't turn. Use low gears but don't rev it too high & spin tire. Low RPMs to go, high RPMs to stop.

Click to expand...

Great advice, but this is Chicago we are talking about---not Alaska :rockon:

You'll be fine, as already mentioned figure out how long it takes you to stop or slide while turning in an empty parking lot. Also, use the backside of the scraper (ridged side) to start removing the ice, makes it much easier. Most importantly though...have fun!

2nd Chance said:

Great Tip i have to tell my daughter this as she is just learning how to drive.

Click to expand...

Definitely. Bring her with you to practice in that empty snowy parking lot that was mentioned above.
Over the course of high school & college I taught a bunch of friends about using low gears in snow. I'm still surprised how many people had no idea to use low gears...especially since college was in New Hampshire! I remember one girl with a Volvo S60 didn't even know her automatic transmission had selectable gears. She was like, "I use (R) and (D)" :der: Why aren't parents teaching they're kids this s***? It's life or death out there.

fallencreations said:

Great advice, but this is Chicago we are talking about---not Alaska :rockon:

Click to expand...

Snow is snow, brah.

jmoskow said:

Snow is snow, brah.

Click to expand...

Yes, but there aren't any hills in Chicago.

jmoskow said:

I was in Chicago over July 4th weekend to attend 'Fare Thee Well' Grateful Dead 50 shows with my father. We heard gunshots while driving through some rough looking neighborhood in broad daylight.

Click to expand...

There are some neighborhoods where if you are the wrong color or belong to the wrong gang, you may well wind up in a body bag, no matter the time of day.

M1911 said:

Yes, but there aren't any hills in Chicago.

Click to expand...

I understand I mentioned hills in one part of my post but this does not apply only to hills. In snowy conditions where traction is reduced, I find using a combination of downshifts & brakes to slow down gives me more control over my vehicle. Even on a flat six lane highway.

Also I think this is a good thread for general "Winter Driving" advice, tips, tricks, & sharing experiences. Maybe it will help someone who does not live in Chicago. Or near hills.

Honestly, I keep my bike rack on all winter. Helps with the oh crap late breaker who gives you a love tap on the back bumper. Rather replace a rack than a bumper.

M1911 said:

Yes, but there aren't any hills in Chicago.

Click to expand...

No but dere are Bears!

Get snow tires. Do a little practice driving in slippery conditions. Have fun in your new town and take advantage of all that Chicago has to offer. It's not like your moving to Syria....