2wd or 4wd mode slippery conditions?

gago1101

gago1101

New member
Just wondering what's the best driving mode when driving say in relatively slippery conditions, such as slush or light snow. It seems 4wd high will have better traction, but wouldn't it creat some slippage in the turns and be dangerous? Many of you drive in these kind of situations a lot, so will know best. Would appreciate input.
 
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The general rule of thumb is that if, even after reducing your speed, you feel that traction is being impeded by conditions, then you should engage 4WD-hi.
 
Use it! Use it use it!!! As long as there is the ability for your tires to slip a bit you are good to go and you can't hurt your four wheel drive unless your being epically stupid.
 
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Am I the only one that thinks if you can't figure out on your own when you can and can't use 4 wheel drive maybe you shouldn't have one? I'm really not trying to be a jerk, its just that this same question comes up all the time. This is just the first time I've said it.
 
tamerunner said:
Am I the only one that thinks if you can't figure out on your own when you can and can't use 4 wheel drive maybe you shouldn't have one? I'm really not trying to be a jerk, its just that this same question comes up all the time. This is just the first time I've said it.
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I agree with you, but for some reason there is this rumor out there, that judging by this forum is pretty prevalent, that if your vehicle gets within sight of dry pavement in 4WD hi, it will instantly explode into flames while throwing axle, differential, and drive shaft parts as shrapnel in all directions.

Meanwhile, my tires were shrieking all day today, as they were reluctantly spun on slickrock.
 
I am not really worried about damaging the drive train. What I am referring to is that, as almost everyone here knows, the drive train binding requires some slippage on turns. If I am driving 45 mph on a turn and the road becomes slippery for a moment, say you hit some black ice, would that tiny slippage from drive train binding cause a break in traction and spinning off the road? I am tempted to actually try this and find out for myself in a controlled setting.
 
Nah you will be ok man. It's not THAT much slipping. If your in a condition where your worried about that maybe just slow down. 4wd helps but it is not going to make you invincible, although you obviously know that since your asking this question to begin with.
 
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gago1101 said:
I am not really worried about damaging the drive train. What I am referring to is that, as almost everyone here knows, the drive train binding requires some slippage on turns. If I am driving 45 mph on a turn and the road becomes slippery for a moment, say you hit some black ice, would that tiny slippage from drive train binding cause a break in traction and spinning off the road? I am tempted to actually try this and find out for myself in a controlled setting.
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Toyota has some pretty decent VSC/TCS control built right into the truck, so I think unless you're just purposely being dumb on the road during inclement weather, you will be okay for the most part. The ECM will most likely hit the brakes or let go of the gas pedal for you, way before you get into some deep shit, lol.

Personally, if the road conditions had me worried about slipping/spinning out of control, I would either slow down and leave it in 4wd, or keep it in 2wd and not worry about over-driving the current road conditions.
 
Jeremy556 said:
I agree with you, but for some reason there is this rumor out there, that judging by this forum is pretty prevalent, that if your vehicle gets within sight of dry pavement in 4WD hi, it will instantly explode into flames while throwing axle, differential, and drive shaft parts as shrapnel in all directions.

Meanwhile, my tires were shrieking all day today, as they were reluctantly spun on slickrock.
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hahaha, preach it, brother.

This post needs to be copied into every single "OMG HOW DO I DRIVE IN TEH SNOWS!!11!!!!one! " thread we get from now on.
 
Test out how well the traction control works in 2wd.
Find a snowy parking lot and try to do donuts.

It won't let you. It's pretty advanced.

But when all else fails. Use 4wd. You'll be fine.
 
TheLast13 said:
Test out how well the traction control works in 2wd.
Find a snowy parking lot and try to do donuts.

It won't let you. It's pretty advanced.

But when all else fails. Use 4wd. You'll be fine.
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It won't let you do donuts, but I guarantee you you will go sideways if you do that on ice.

My subdivision is an ice rink right now. I think I'm going to salt the cul-de-sac before some dumbass plows into the cars I parked on the street.
 
tamerunner said:
Am I the only one that thinks if you can't figure out on your own when you can and can't use 4 wheel drive maybe you shouldn't have one? I'm really not trying to be a jerk, its just that this same question comes up all the time. This is just the first time I've said it.
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Someone is asking a question on a forum where you ask questions....oh, the horror :ybrick:
 
gago1101 said:
Just wondering what's the best driving mode when driving say in relatively slippery conditions, such as slush or light snow. It seems 4wd high will have better traction, but wouldn't it creat some slippage in the turns and be dangerous? Many of you drive in these kind of situations a lot, so will know best. Would appreciate input.
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I always turn on 4hi when it gets slippery, just remember don't be overconfident, you still can go sideways and breaking is not improving.
 
Maz said:
Someone is asking a question on a forum where you ask questions....oh, the horror :ybrick:
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The horror is not the asking of the question. Its that it is asked all the time. Anybody who frequents this forum has heard the same question at least 5 times in the last 2 months. Especially since the snow has really started.
 
eddiebx said:
So that's why you have an LE! :drum:

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Nope, I'm just to lazy to pull a lever back and forth, use a key to start it, and adjust my own seat. I retired from pulling levers and locking manual hubs when I sold my 72' F-250 4x4, it's the 21st century, I embrace technology.
 
tamerunner said:
The horror is not the asking of the question. Its that it is asked all the time. Anybody who frequents this forum has heard the same question at least 5 times in the last 2 months. Especially since the snow has really started.
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As for how many times this question may or may not have been asked, why is that an issue? Does anyone get charged by the number of threads clicked on?

Sometimes we have newer members who need clarification about a topic previously discussed. Moreover I'm betting everyone of us has started a thread that has been covered before, and why not since each situation can differ. In addition some people want a more detailed answer than may have been previously added.

The advantage of this forum is there are some very experienced people with just about any situation you may find yourself in. Moreover we often flip roles since what you may need help on today, is right in the wheel house of someone you helped yesterday.

Why we would want to make people feel unwelcome is a mystery. If someone has no interest in a thread...it so easy just to click on another one.
 
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