AWD or 4 HI in Snow?
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Yea. This is THE funadamental question. I don't have a 3rd gen, so I don't know how the atrac works in it.
But, usually, it goes like this..
Any halfway decent AWD system is really good a limiting slip at the wheels and at moving power to non-slipping wheels, to keep at least 1 wheel with traction. This ends up working AWESOME when you are trying to race up a mountain road in the rain, where the AWD helps keep the wheels gripping the curvy road.
Where, in general, AWD is less than helpful:
Those situations where you need to allow wheels to continue to move, even if spinning. Thick Snow and Ice, or mud. You know what I am talking about. You are stuck in a snow hole or on an icy patch or a mud bog and you need to just give it gas and have the wheels spin, until you move. In these situations, AWD sucks. It is WORSE than not having anything. The AWD prevents your wheels from spinning, when on ice and mud, you need them to be able to spin..
Make sense?
Now. A caveat. AWD is 1 term that covers an almost ENDLESS variation of drive systems. Each system operates differently. Every manufacturer has the computer system set differently, so in reality, this is vehicle dependent.
But, since simple is best. Think of it like this. On road, AWD wins, usually. Offroad or extreme offroad type situations (Severe Snow and Ice) pure 4x4 is best.
make sense?
Edit: In this situation, AWD. Unless you are talking a 3inc covered ice road, when you are talking about driving on the road AWD does a really good job of navigating the various surfaces and the tension on them.
But, usually, it goes like this..
Any halfway decent AWD system is really good a limiting slip at the wheels and at moving power to non-slipping wheels, to keep at least 1 wheel with traction. This ends up working AWESOME when you are trying to race up a mountain road in the rain, where the AWD helps keep the wheels gripping the curvy road.
Where, in general, AWD is less than helpful:
Those situations where you need to allow wheels to continue to move, even if spinning. Thick Snow and Ice, or mud. You know what I am talking about. You are stuck in a snow hole or on an icy patch or a mud bog and you need to just give it gas and have the wheels spin, until you move. In these situations, AWD sucks. It is WORSE than not having anything. The AWD prevents your wheels from spinning, when on ice and mud, you need them to be able to spin..
Make sense?
Now. A caveat. AWD is 1 term that covers an almost ENDLESS variation of drive systems. Each system operates differently. Every manufacturer has the computer system set differently, so in reality, this is vehicle dependent.
But, since simple is best. Think of it like this. On road, AWD wins, usually. Offroad or extreme offroad type situations (Severe Snow and Ice) pure 4x4 is best.
make sense?
Edit: In this situation, AWD. Unless you are talking a 3inc covered ice road, when you are talking about driving on the road AWD does a really good job of navigating the various surfaces and the tension on them.
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theizzardking
New member
man am i glad i have a '99, 2001+ computer traction a.i.ds.
is a horrible thing to have and basically impossible to get rid of!!!!!
remember together we can find the cure against computer traction
a.i.ds.:guitar2:
seriously, i hate stupid computers, just let me drive, i didn't practice doing burn outs, power brakes and donuts for 3 years straight, when i first got my license for nothing....i even hate ABS to be honest....but i can live with that it's this computer traction a.i.ds thing that really screws with me when driving or trying to do anything nonstanard......
Gerdo
New member
AWD is good when there is dry and wet/snowy roads. 4HI will give you better traction on snow covered roads.
AWD will tend to send all the power to the wheel that slips the most, just like an open diff.
Quotes from http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html
-From ’99-’00, the limited changed from a standard transfer case with push button to a differential type transfer case (known as Multi-Mode). This type of transfer case still has a push button to engage the t-case from 2wd to 4. A differential type t-case is different from a standard t-case in that the front and rear drive shafts could rotate independent of each other and avoid binding on high traction surfaces. Until this center differential was locked, the vehicle is essentially in AWD (all wheel drive) and can be driven on dry pavement. Once the center diff is locked, the vehicle is again in true 4x4 and can only be used off road. To lock the T-case, you simply shift from 4Hi to 4Hi(L).
Center diff locker
The Center differential, or transfer case, can also be unlocked/locked. But as we just covered, only ’01-’02 4runners and ’99-’00 limited 4runners had this Multi-mode ability to unlock/lock the center diff.
-On 1999-2000 Limiteds, the locking method was a separate shifting position.
-On all the 2001 & 2002 models, the button to lock/unlock the center diff replaced the button for the discontinued e-locker:
Name: Diff lock button center.jpg Views: 6344 Size: 6.2 KB
In terms of off road ability, the unlock/lock feature on the multi-mode t-case does not add anything. The rear e-locker is the only option above normal 4wd that actually increases off road ability.
How do I choose between these?
-If you live in an area with ice covered winter roads, heavy rain, and you tend to be more of a city driver, the Multi-mode selectable AWD is going to be indispensable to you. It makes icy roads easy to tackle.
AWD will tend to send all the power to the wheel that slips the most, just like an open diff.
Quotes from http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html
-From ’99-’00, the limited changed from a standard transfer case with push button to a differential type transfer case (known as Multi-Mode). This type of transfer case still has a push button to engage the t-case from 2wd to 4. A differential type t-case is different from a standard t-case in that the front and rear drive shafts could rotate independent of each other and avoid binding on high traction surfaces. Until this center differential was locked, the vehicle is essentially in AWD (all wheel drive) and can be driven on dry pavement. Once the center diff is locked, the vehicle is again in true 4x4 and can only be used off road. To lock the T-case, you simply shift from 4Hi to 4Hi(L).
Center diff locker
The Center differential, or transfer case, can also be unlocked/locked. But as we just covered, only ’01-’02 4runners and ’99-’00 limited 4runners had this Multi-mode ability to unlock/lock the center diff.
-On 1999-2000 Limiteds, the locking method was a separate shifting position.
-On all the 2001 & 2002 models, the button to lock/unlock the center diff replaced the button for the discontinued e-locker:
Name: Diff lock button center.jpg Views: 6344 Size: 6.2 KB
In terms of off road ability, the unlock/lock feature on the multi-mode t-case does not add anything. The rear e-locker is the only option above normal 4wd that actually increases off road ability.
How do I choose between these?
-If you live in an area with ice covered winter roads, heavy rain, and you tend to be more of a city driver, the Multi-mode selectable AWD is going to be indispensable to you. It makes icy roads easy to tackle.
The AWD on the Limited 4Runners is a limited slip (not locking) system.
Only the axles are connected with what I believe to be a basic mechanical limited slip. Thus, the power is sent to whatever axle spins easiest until one starts to rotate at a significantly different speed. Then the transfer case shifts power to the slower rotating axle to reduce the speed differential between the axles.
I used mine on the ice and snow covered roads we had in Atlanta last year (about 1/2" thick when compressed to ice; we have very few salt and sand trucks and almost no plows) and found the system to work well even on very low traction surfaces. I felt a brief moment (1/2 second?) of minimal traction then a noticeable increase in acceleration even on the heavy snow and ice when the limited slip pulled the front axle up to speed. With a HEAVY foot I was able to slide around on all 4 tires; the Michelin LTX M/S2 tires ROCK in snow! (I think they're LTX; they're the ones that everyone loves.) BTW, this was when very few people were out and (a few) cars were being abandoned on the side of the street due to inability to move, and I had about 50% traction.
Only the axles are connected with what I believe to be a basic mechanical limited slip. Thus, the power is sent to whatever axle spins easiest until one starts to rotate at a significantly different speed. Then the transfer case shifts power to the slower rotating axle to reduce the speed differential between the axles.
I used mine on the ice and snow covered roads we had in Atlanta last year (about 1/2" thick when compressed to ice; we have very few salt and sand trucks and almost no plows) and found the system to work well even on very low traction surfaces. I felt a brief moment (1/2 second?) of minimal traction then a noticeable increase in acceleration even on the heavy snow and ice when the limited slip pulled the front axle up to speed. With a HEAVY foot I was able to slide around on all 4 tires; the Michelin LTX M/S2 tires ROCK in snow! (I think they're LTX; they're the ones that everyone loves.) BTW, this was when very few people were out and (a few) cars were being abandoned on the side of the street due to inability to move, and I had about 50% traction.
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xx_independent_xx
New member
Just wondering, I have a 1996 Limited, is it just 2wd, 4 hi and 4 low? I don't see anything about AWD for that model...
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
Actually AWD is designed to pull the power away from the wheels that break traction and immediatly apply it back when they stop spinning. My mom has a '99 Limited and always uses AWD when it's snowy unless the snow is pushing 10" or so and then she uses 4hi but AWD is a better choice for slick hard packed surfaces but even a little deep snow isn't going to stop your 4Runner.
I had an AWD Eclipse and drove it for 4 winters up in the mountains and the only issue I had with that was ground clearance but it still plowed though close to 10" with little struggle as long as I didn't start scooping it with my nose.
I'd say try both in certain conditions and see what you think for yourself:IMO AWD is fine for most winter conditions you'll encounter. I wish i had the multi-mode tranny in my truck.
I had an AWD Eclipse and drove it for 4 winters up in the mountains and the only issue I had with that was ground clearance but it still plowed though close to 10" with little struggle as long as I didn't start scooping it with my nose.
I'd say try both in certain conditions and see what you think for yourself:IMO AWD is fine for most winter conditions you'll encounter. I wish i had the multi-mode tranny in my truck.
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
The multi-mode tranny (AWD) only was available in the '99-00 Limiteds and then showed up standard on the SR5 models in '01.
xx_independent_xx
New member
Thank you, I've been driving a Forester for the last 4 years and will definitely miss the AWD.
awdjunkies
New member
^ Correct, since I've lived here my whole life practically I consider AWD to be an asset in my day to day driving during the winter/snowy months. Yes, I've owned just about every AWD type of mechanism out there so I can easily say, I prefer it to the others (RWD/FWD), Even for year 'round driving.
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awdjunkies
New member
I know what you mean, I miss my Subies+ the other AWD cars i've owned but I'll leave that for another thread as I don't want to wreck and/or take this one to OT..
Gerdo
New member
You don't have AWD. Neither do I. The AWD on the 4runner isn't great. It's fine for the person that wants more traction but doesn't want to think about it. The 4wd that you have needs to be shifted out on less slippery roads or the drivetrain will bind up. I shift in and out as needed while driving. You will always have better traction in 4hi.
The 4runner AWD is nothing like the system in subaru's. Theirs is awesome. Probably the best AWD that exists!
xx_independent_xx
New member
I'm going to have to agree with you on that, never once got stuck, or slid out of control. I have Bridgestone Winter Duelers on my 4Runner for this winter, that should help out a LOT! Couldn't pass up the deal, $200 for 4 basically new tires. Gotta love CL!
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
Yes,the AWD system in the 4runners wasn't the best out there for the time and of course not as sharp as a dedicated AWD car but my Eclipse was a '93 and my mom's '99 is 6 years newer and the AWD systems with regarding to driving both the 4Runner's AWD simply wasn't as smooth and didn't respond to throttle inputs as well but most of that would be contributed to the extra 1000lbs the 4Runner carries vs the Eclipse. Now saying that the system in the 4Runner is still quite adept at handling 99% of the real world snow.
Driving my mom's I was able to make a good comparison (driving back to back on the same stretch of curvy 12" of snow) to driving in AWD mode or 4hi and with AWD it took less inputs regarding throttle and steering vs 4hi where it required a bit more attention to keep the rearend in line when it kicked out. The margin of error with AWD is pretty significant.
Driving my mom's I was able to make a good comparison (driving back to back on the same stretch of curvy 12" of snow) to driving in AWD mode or 4hi and with AWD it took less inputs regarding throttle and steering vs 4hi where it required a bit more attention to keep the rearend in line when it kicked out. The margin of error with AWD is pretty significant.
IanB
New member
There are big differences in the AWD systems Subaru uses as well, the manual cars have the 50/50 symetrical system, which is excellent. My wife's Legacy 2.5i auto (and other non-turbo vehicles) uses a Haldex system with e-center diff and open front/rear diffs, and it's just OK. Pretty well the same system used in the AWD Fords, and many other AWD vehicles, it's 90/10 front/rear under normal conditions, with the ability to shift to 50/50 under certain limited conditions. Then there's the higher level AWD used in the Legacy GT auto, and other models (pretty well the turbo models), which is a 60/40 split, and often with an LSD rear diff, this is also a pretty darn good AWD setup.
I find the multimode AWD in my truck to be good for normal-moderated winter driving conditions, far better than only have the option of being in 2wd or 4hi.
This thread is dangerously close to running away into one of those never ending AWD description pages. 
There are almost a infinite variations on AWD, hell the word has almost no set meaning. Car designers throw around terms at will to sell cars. What is AWD on one car is called Multi-mode full wheel traction on another.
There are almost a infinite variations on AWD, hell the word has almost no set meaning. Car designers throw around terms at will to sell cars. What is AWD on one car is called Multi-mode full wheel traction on another.
