1st play in the snow... love it!

[westwind77]

Upgraded from a 99' Durango with a limited slip in the rear with full-time & part-time 4wd. The Durango was a 'toy' in the snow, especially with the 5.9L & 3.92 rear! You could spin it is endless circles if left in 2wd but hold tight (for the most part) in 4wd.

Took the new 4R out to play a little today in the snow, amazing difference the TRAC & VSC make! My wife laughed as soon as the 4R 'beeped' at me, almost like a parent scolding their child for doing something bad. It does a great job not letting the rears spin when pulling out of a side street, and I tried a number of times taking corners fast (in an area with plenty of room for testing) and the 4R's systems would all kick in to slow and control the truck preventing it from spinning out, very nice. Part of me misses the ablity to play (I know I can turn OFF the VSC & TRAC) but I think overall it is a lot better to have! The Durango only had rear ABS, what an amazing difference to have 4 wheel ABS, stops long before the Durango would in the snow!

It does get me that my 99' had a Full-Time option and the 10' does not. I used the Full-Time a lot in the snow when I would pull out of side streets that were unplowed to main roads that were clear, since the D had no TRAC I would sit and spin both rears if not in 4wd. With the new 4R, the TRAC limits the spin allowing you to safely pull out, not really needing to use the 4wd system. Got to love technology!

 

[4Funnr]

I did the same thing when driving through Gallup, NM last week in a snow storm. I was amazed at how quickly and efficiently the VSC system works. There are very few things I have ever seen work as advertised and this was one of them.

 

[4Ryder]

Up in the snowy Green Mtns this weekend and was also very impressed with how sure footed the truck is. Once when starting from a dead stop in 2wd at a snow packed intersection I saw the VSC light come on. I forgot its always on unless you turn it off. On the three hour return trip I feathered the gas pedal to keep the ECO light on as much as possible while maintaining betw 65-70mph and my avg MPG was 23.5.
The only thing that did not seem to make a significant difference was the wiper heaters when activated, they still iced up, but maybe not as bad? Is the heater in the windshield or in the actual wiper??

2010 Silver TE

 

[westwind77]

Up in the snowy Green Mtns this weekend and was also very impressed with how sure footed the truck is. Once when starting from a dead stop in 2wd at a snow packed intersection I saw the VSC light come on. I forgot its always on unless you turn it off. On the three hour return trip I feathered the gas pedal to keep the ECO light on as much as possible while maintaining betw 65-70mph and my avg MPG was 23.5.
The only thing that did not seem to make a significant difference was the wiper heaters when activated, they still iced up, but maybe not as bad? Is the heater in the windshield or in the actual wiper??

2010 Silver TE

Do you have a switch for the wiper heaters? They do not mention much about it on-line or in the brochure, but I have seen close up images of it. Does anyone know if they are std on certain models?

 

[westwind77]

Took it out later tonight in more snow this time used the 4wd system, very nice! I will say that I think the VSC kicks in sooner when in 2wd when starting to spin (I mean spin as in the whole truck, not the tires). I think that's because the back end tends to kick around faster in 2wd than 4wd, activating the system quicker. I have a tricky road to get to work in the morning, I have a feeling I will be testing out the DAC in 4L at the end!

 

[4Funnr]

Yeah, I used the heated wipers too (standard on the Trail Edtn) and didn't notice much about them. They seem kind of gimmicky. Maybe they are just to get them unstuck when frozen to the windshield?

Also, I have averaged 22-25 on the hwy depending on the terrain and wind when I am going 65-70mph.

I'm much more likely to average about 21 Hwy and about 18-19 combined.

 

[bobk3333]

This car is amazing on snow and ice. Not a slip or fishtail yet, not even a small one. It's like driving on dry pavement.

 

[mikeync]

This car is amazing on snow and ice. Not a slip or fishtail yet, not even a small one. It's like driving on dry pavement.

Agreed - the 2010 4Runner Limited easily beats my Armada. The Armada had brand new studded tires and was in all-wheel drive (that is the 2wd system until it slips and 4wd kicks in).

Well the 4runner just goes right through where the Armada was slipping and sliding - no issues.

Very impressed and I am as happy as the day we bought it that this is the vehicle my wife and kids are in every day. While some may think it is blasphemy not to take this vehicle 4-wheeling - I don't care and I know that even in the worst snow conditions up here my wife can get to work at any time of the day (she works in the ER so has to go in)

EDIT: added Limited for clarification

 

[sandcrawler]

Agreed - the 2010 4Runner easily beats my Armada. The Armada had brand new studded tires and was in all-wheel drive (that is the 2wd system until it slips and 4wd kicks in).

Well the 4runner just goes right through where the Armada was slipping and sliding - no issues.

Very impressed and I am as happy as the day we bought it that this is the vehicle my wife and kids are in every day. While some may think it is blasphemy not to take this vehicle 4-wheeling - I don't care and I know that even in the worst snow conditions up here my wife can get to work at any time of the day (she works in the ER so has to go in)

which model do you have, mikenyc?
crap winter weather is exactly my primary concern re: the loss of the Torsen so—if yours is a part-time 4WD model—i'm really glad to hear the feedback. but whatever it is exactly, glad you're loving it!

 

[Gromulus]

Limited

which model do you have, mikenyc?
crap winter weather is exactly my primary concern re: the loss of the Torsen so—if yours is a part-time 4WD model—i'm really glad to hear the feedback. but whatever it is exactly, glad you're loving it!

Pretty sure he has the Limited, which still has the multi-mode 4WD system. This would explain the imrpoved winter weather traction -and the cause of concern for most of us 4th generation owners who have this in all our 4WD models, whether full-tim inthe V8 models or switchable as in the V6 models. The Trail Edition is great for off-road uses but the milti-mode os far more useful for those of us who have to contend with the four seasons.

 

[mikeync]

which model do you have, mikenyc?
crap winter weather is exactly my primary concern re: the loss of the Torsen so—if yours is a part-time 4WD model—i'm really glad to hear the feedback. but whatever it is exactly, glad you're loving it!

Gromulus is correct we have the limited so that was in a full-time 4wd mode

With that said with clear icy / snowy conditions you can still go over to the full time 4wd even in the SR5 / TE

 

[sandcrawler]

Gromulus is correct we have the limited so that was in a full-time 4wd mode

With that said with clear icy / snowy conditions you can still go over to the full time 4wd even in the SR5 / TE

yeah, i get that but was hoping your positive feedback was on a P/T model. i'd really like a Trail but have a 4G now and live in maine so it's really more the "in-between" (not-entirely-clear/dry-pavement-but-not-completely-snow/ice-covered) conditions i'm thinking about… my wife using the rig and rowing in and out of 4WD.
rat-farts!

 

[Quentin]

I test drove an SR5 today in the snow and I don't quite see the big deal with the non full time 4WD. If it is slick, put it in 4WD hi... if not, run in 2WD. Once you are moving, tires are more important in keeping on the road than driven wheels anyway. When I'm driving snow covered roads, I'm not going over 50mph anyway, which is what the 4WD hi is allowed to run. Anyone care to explain why the Torsion is considered such a loss on the SR5?

 

[harper7]

I test drove an SR5 today in the snow and I don't quite see the big deal with the non full time 4WD. If it is slick, put it in 4WD hi... if not, run in 2WD. Once you are moving, tires are more important in keeping on the road than driven wheels anyway. When I'm driving snow covered roads, I'm not going over 50mph anyway, which is what the 4WD hi is allowed to run. Anyone care to explain why the Torsion is considered such a loss on the SR5?

Already discussed in detail here......http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs-its-finally-here/58477-okay-use-4wd-hi-dry-pavement.html
Exactly....Snowy roads are fine but not good for your drivetrain on dry pavement ...here's why http://www.4x4abc.com/4WD101/def_turnpart.html

 

[Quentin]

Already discussed in detail here......http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs-its-finally-here/58477-okay-use-4wd-hi-dry-pavement.html
Exactly....Snowy roads are fine but not good for your drivetrain on dry pavement ...here's why http://www.4x4abc.com/4WD101/def_turnpart.html

Thanks for the link. I don't see why people would want to be in 4WD driving on dry roads anyway. When I drove it today, the 4WD was just as I expected it to be: RWD until you throw the lower shifter into 4WD high for the nasty stuff.

 

[sandcrawler]

Thanks for the link. I don't see why people would want to be in 4WD driving on dry roads anyway. When I drove it today, the 4WD was just as I expected it to be: RWD until you throw the lower shifter into 4WD high for the nasty stuff.

absolutely. it's just a matter of rowing between the two as the road conditions change. torsen = fuhgeddaboudit.

 

[mikeync]

I test drove an SR5 today in the snow and I don't quite see the big deal with the non full time 4WD. If it is slick, put it in 4WD hi... if not, run in 2WD. Once you are moving, tires are more important in keeping on the road than driven wheels anyway. When I'm driving snow covered roads, I'm not going over 50mph anyway, which is what the 4WD hi is allowed to run. Anyone care to explain why the Torsion is considered such a loss on the SR5?

Can I switch between 2WD and 4WD at any time and remember to switch back -- 99% of the time I would say yes. Do I expect my wife to do the same - No. Would I expect to find the car in the garage with 4WD selected even when we had no snow in the turn in to our garage (almost 90 degree turn) because there had been snow on the road coming in to our area - yes.

Point being I expect my wife to end up doing some significant driving in 4WD mode when it would be a really bad idea - like backing out of our drive-way if we didn't have snow and doing a full turn.

Second item -- while 4WD helps mostly in acceleration etc I belive it helps on highways as well if two wheels loose traction on a small ice spot where the other two wheels would have traction. If you have pretty much dry condition and it rains a little during the day and it is 30-32 degrees on your way home - do you drive in 2wd or 4wd -- I don't know the answer really as I would say it depends.

So I bought a Limited

 

[mikeync]

Thanks for the link. I don't see why people would want to be in 4WD driving on dry roads anyway. When I drove it today, the 4WD was just as I expected it to be: RWD until you throw the lower shifter into 4WD high for the nasty stuff.

Forgot - what does it hurt to be in 4WD if the Torsen is there? What do you see as a reason NOT to have it?

 

[Quentin]

Can I switch between 2WD and 4WD at any time and remember to switch back -- 99% of the time I would say yes. Do I expect my wife to do the same - No. Would I expect to find the car in the garage with 4WD selected even when we had no snow in the turn in to our garage (almost 90 degree turn) because there had been snow on the road coming in to our area - yes.

Point being I expect my wife to end up doing some significant driving in 4WD mode when it would be a really bad idea - like backing out of our drive-way if we didn't have snow and doing a full turn.

The SR5 I drove today had a light indicating 4WD in the cluster. I would think that would keep my wife from leaving it in 4WD when it is dry out. For the most part, I'd be doing the driving in the bad weather for the rare occasion my wife would take the 4Runner to work instead of her MINI.

Second item -- while 4WD helps mostly in acceleration etc I belive it helps on highways as well if two wheels loose traction on a small ice spot where the other two wheels would have traction. If you have pretty much dry condition and it rains a little during the day and it is 30-32 degrees on your way home - do you drive in 2wd or 4wd -- I don't know the answer really as I would say it depends.

So I bought a Limited

I was a Subaru guy for years and drank the AWD koolaid about handling better in the snow and slick conditions (and dry conditions, for that matter). After owning a FWD GTI w/ snow tires for the past 3 winters, it is pretty clear to me that drive wheels matter very little. A tire compound designed for cold weather makes the biggest difference. I'll likely run snow/ice tires on the 4Runner in the winter for exactly this reason. I mean, after you hit that patch, your momentum will carry you across it until you hit dry ground where the tire grip is the major factor. Without grip, drive wheels do nothing.

Forgot - what does it hurt to be in 4WD if the Torsen is there? What do you see as a reason NOT to have it?

The only reason I can see not to have it is fuel economy. An additional differential with torque through it all the time will add additional friction which will decrease efficiency. I guess the 2nd reason would be cost. If Toyota can give me the 4Runner for less money because they got rid of something that I personally don't think is necessary, it is good for me. Now the magnitude of those "high points" might be very, very small. The Limited is rated at 22mpg highway just like the SR5. The cost savings to the customer might only be $100.

I agree that having it optional without having to jump up to the Limited would be nice for those that find it valuable.