4 High for driving in snow?
- Thread starter Hapeacres
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
NJshadow93
New member
If you have a V8 you're already in 4hi. If you're asking if you need to go to 4lo or lock the center diff, no that shouldn't be necessary.
JB.
New member
You described the same thing in two different terms. Use either 1 or 3 in the graphic. If you have to outrun zombies in 2 feet of snow, use #2.
EHNWI
Member
I've been driving in 4Hi for regular snowy conditions. Better to play it safe, IMO. If it's dry and all is good, throw it back in 2WD. In my experience, there is a huge difference when you put it in 4Hi. The truck does so much better in the snow with it on. In 2WD on regular roads without excessive acceleration, it slips and cuts power which can be annoying/unsafe.
Hapeacres
New member
I have a V8. I don't understand the chart. It is my understanding that the truck is always in 4WD which then sends power to the wheel that needs it. The other option is to switch it to 4H to have all wheels locked for power in the same manner? Thats why I was wondering if the roads are just completely covered in snow and its wicked slippery, what is better?
JB.
New member
4hi is what you are in by default all the time. So you want to know if you should try 4hi center-locked.
Yes, but only if 4hi is not getting it done. VSC will then be off and handling will change.
I'm guessing you'll have no interest in this thread but I'll post the link anyway. Despite the title, there is a lot of information relevant to driving in the snow with the center diff locked.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...pavement-center-diff-lock-vsc-off-switch.html
Last edited:
Martinjmpr
New member
I always run in 4hi unlocked if the road is slick, icy or snowy. Only time I lock the center diff is in deep, heavy snow when I start getting a lot of slipping and VSC beeping.
Off road of course I lock the center diff.
Off road of course I lock the center diff.
nevada
Senior Member
as was said above, 4wd IS 4HI.
as long as its working fine, leave it as is.
if the snow gets really deep, and you start struggling, or the vsc is activating a lot you can lock the center diff. but understand, that is STILL 4wd/4HI.
Hapeacres
New member
thanks for the replies, my daughter who is a newbie driver uses the 4runner i now and then and I am concerned with her driving. I wanted to know if she should switch to 4LOW but after your replies I will let her know only to switch if she is slipping a lot and the light comes on.
97BlackAckCL
Elite Member
I 99% of the time switch into 4HI in the snow and I'm just fine. As long as you have good tires on the truck, your daughter should be fine. I've only had to drop into 4LO twice, and only ever had to lock the difs once, but that's where I live
CAN-03runner
New member
4Low not required for typical street driving in snow. Nice thing about the 4th gen is that once you switch into 4hi you can drive in that mode on snow and ice, but also in sections of dry because essentially it AWD....and your V8 is basically in 4Hi-AWD all of the time, can't go into 2wd, now what makes it special is that you can go in and out of 4hi AWD and 4hi Center Lock which is 4x4 with a simple push of a button on dash, on the fly.
I have no issues going in and out of AWD and 4x4 as I'm driving down the road over snow or in a storm. In fact you should probably exercise the 4x4 actuator pretty regularly or it may seize up and not work when you really need it. It's there, use it or lose it.
Martinjmpr
New member
This.
4 lo is for specific situations, typically off-road:
1. Descending an extremely steep hill, 4 lo will keep your vehicle speed down and save your brakes (the DAC control will also help with this.)
2. Ascending an extremely steep hill, 4 lo will give you more torque by doubling the gear ratio and allow you to go up the hill without wheel spin.
In both of the above cases, I would lock the center diff.
The only time I can think you would ever need to have it in 4 lo with the center diff unlocked is if you are trying to pull a trailer up a very steep hill on a paved road. Maybe if you were trying to pull a heavy boat off of a very steep boat ramp, for instance (although even then I would most likely lock the center diff because you're only going to be going a short distance up the ramp until it flattens out.)
boondoggle
Member
Tell her just not to mess with the 4lo. That's the only option in the 4Runner besides the default 4WD (4hi on the v6).
Her speed will be severely limited in a 4lo and it isn't meant for street driving. 4Lo only changes the gearing and wil put the drivetrain in a very high torque situation.
Take it for a drive yourself, put it in 4lo and see what it feels like. Then decide if you really want to tell your daughter to put it in that mode.
I've owned 4wd vehicles for over 30 years. The ONLY times I ever needed 4-lo was when I was off-roading. NEVER on any paved street.
Most of the time I keep my vehicle in rwd. Some days like yesterday driving home from Boston I had it in 4wd. Light to moderate snow that turned to ice quickly.
Most of the time I keep my vehicle in rwd. Some days like yesterday driving home from Boston I had it in 4wd. Light to moderate snow that turned to ice quickly.
