4H in snow/heavy rain at moderate speeds?

[dtziheucdavis]

I have a 4Runner 4WD with part time 4WD. Would you guys have any thoughts on using the 4WD at moderate speeds (say 40mph) on the freeway in snowy or heavy rain conditions? Say, slush and snow on the ground? I was driving in similar conditions last year with 4H off (2WD) at about 30mph. Was fine driving in slush, made a lane change, hit a patch of snow, and spun out. Cost me about $800 in repairs.

And in general, what are the conditions or maximum speed you guys use 4H on? I usually turn on 4H to get out of accumulated snow while parked or driving in the city in heavy snow.

Thanks all.

 

[KidVermicious]

If I'm in a situation where I feel like I need 4hi to drive safely, I'm not going over 30 mph anyway, and I generally stay off the freeway completely when the roads are that bad.

4wd is for going, not for going fast. At least your 4wd drive is, AWD is another story.

 

[Gerdo]

Every year I will shift in and out at 50 mph. Out if the road is clear, in when there is a patch of snow.

Heavy rain? With good tires, I don't see any need for 4wd in the rain.

4wd will allow the front wheels to pull the vehicle thru but it will not stop a vehicle from loosing traction.

Good tires are more important than 4wd and good driving skills is the most important thing. Learning to feel what the vehicle is doing is key.

4wd will help a little to slow the vehicle thru either engine braking or the fact that the 4 wheels are linked and will help resist locking up.

Never use cruise control in the rain or snow. It doesn't care if the tires are slipping/spinning. it just tries to hold the set speed. If the tires start spinning, cruse control will just keep applying power to maintain speed causing the care to go out of control.

 

[Bishard]

No use in worrying about speed in H4. Terrain requiring H4 should act as a speed governor anyways. Manual says H4 is for normal driving on wet, icy, or snowy roads.

 

[shadow247]

4WD is not recommended for regular rain conditions. If you are in a situation where hydroplaning is happening at low speeds, then 4wd may be a good idea. Slowing down or pulling off the road if possible is the best idea in this situation.
For ice and snow driving - 4WD can't be beat. A good set of winter tires at the proper pressure makes for incredible traction. Even a set of All-Terrain's are quite good, but still keep your speed down. I thought I was cool and driving in 4wd on a road full of snow ruts, went to change lanes, and ended up sliding backwards at 50 mph! Not fun, luckily I was the only one on the road and didn't cause any damage to my truck.

I made adjustments to my driving, which is really what you should do. Just because you CAN drive 50mph in 4wd on that snow back-road, certainly does not mean you should. You can be cited for driving too fast for conditions if the cops aren't too busy working the wrecks from all the other people with 4WD/AWD who get over-confident. I don't have a ton of experience driving in snow, but I have a few hundred hours riding dirtbikes in some pretty bad conditions. Things can happen faster than you realize at speed, and I am lucky to be around after thinking I was invincible in adverse conditions.

 

[rm2fast]

in the snow 2wd is going to most likely try to put the ass end around thats the nature of a rear wheel drive vehicel, 4wd high can be used in slush/snow/mud its designed to give you 4wd and still be able to drive fast in high 60mph is ok on the highway

 

[rideexileex]

Maybe it's the wild kid inside of me, but I really feel that it's a good idea to find a snowy parking lot and feel how the truck drives in 2wd vs 4wd. Knowing how the truck slides can help you recover anything non intentional in the future. 4wd keeps the truck tracking straight when the front wheels pull the truck forward and reduces fish-tail effects. Hard turning in snow becomes, "a bit bouncy".

 

[KidVermicious]

in the snow 2wd is going to most likely try to put the ass end around thats the nature of a rear wheel drive vehicel, 4wd high can be used in slush/snow/mud its designed to give you 4wd and still be able to drive fast in high 60mph is ok on the highway

You know 4wd doesn't help you stop any faster, right? Even if you can do 60 with 4wd, that doesn't mean you should, or that it's safe.

 

[techno]

There's no perfect answer to what is the appropriate speed to travel at in the snow. I will not hesitate to use 4H if the conditions warrant it, regardless of speed. On my daily commute, there are some stretches of road that when snow covered, 45mph in 2wd is not comfortable, but in 4wd it's ok. I've also been on snowy highways in 4wd doing 55-60mph because the truck traffic was doing that and it felt much safer and controllable.
4wd definitely reduces the risk of spinning out but obviously it doesn't completely stop it. Braking is also more controlled (not faster) because the chance of uneven brake locking up is also reduced.

One other related thing... I will never get mad or angry at other drivers for driving slow in the snow. If that's what they are comfortable doing, then so be it.

 

[1985taylor1925]

I know Toyota recommends not shifting into 4hi at any speed above 55. So that being the case you can figure cruising at that speed shouldnt hurt the front drive train. Ive done it a few times driving home from work on the highway in snow storms here in WI. I stayed at 55 and it felt great. No vibrations

 

[rm2fast]

You know 4wd doesn't help you stop any faster, right? Even if you can do 60 with 4wd, that doesn't mean you should, or that it's safe.

you are right he said that he previously wrecked because the ass came around on him.. he was in 2wd (all the power to the back wheels in 4wd he would not have this problem it changes the vehicle from rear wheel drive to all wheels he wrecked from sow mixed with 2dw kicking ass ed around o him, from what i got from his post he was asking if he could run 4wd high

 

[white_n_slow]

That's what it's there for. No harm in leaving it in 4wd for your normal commute if conditions warrant it. You're not putting any wear on the front axle by doing highway speeds that you're not putting on your rear axle every single day. Don't over think it.

 

[dtziheucdavis]

Thanks all for the very useful comments and information. If I ever have to use 4H at speed or in heavy rain snow slush now, I feel a lot more comfortable.