climbing sowny hills

[mccoyam]

So over the weekend I went out and was playing around testing out my 05 4runner. I tried to climb a hill that was covered in snow and did not quiet make it up to the top. I actually slid back down, this was quiet scary and I was wondering if there are any tips for how to back down a hill that you do not make it all the way up. In my case I was sliding back down and did not have the best of control. Any advise?

Thanks

 

[Even Steven]

Sliding down a snow-covered hill can be difficult. I've found that ABS does not work at all when all four wheels are completely locked up because the system doesn't think the vehicle is moving. I think the best bet in that case it to modulate the brakes a bit to allow some steering control.

You must have been in some seriously slippery conditions if your 4Runner slid back down the hill.

 

[mccoyam]

It was pretty steep, and pretty bumpy. I had it in 4lo and the diff locked. I couldn't get enough traction... time for better tires.

I did end up letting off the brake to let myself steer back down the hill. I was a little worried about turning sideways and rolling down.

 

[techno]

If you're sliding backwards down a snow or ice covered hill, then there is not much you can do at all. Just keep in mind that the front of the car is heavier than the rear and if you are sliding for long enough the front will want to swing around and 'overtake' the back. You can try your best to keep things straight and in some sort of control, but mostly, just enjoy the ride. Your now at the mercy of whatever is behind you.
If you can stop the car on the hill and need to reverse down, put the transmission into reverse and use light braking on the way down. Get it into reverse as quick as possible.
Sometimes if you find yourself sliding, you can actually give the engine a little gas to accelerate slightly.This will bring the wheels up to the speed they need to be at to regain traction. This technique works well on rocky or loose gravel hills, and sometimes in snow and mud. Its a very unnerving feeling actually speeding up in order to get grip and slow down, but is a worthwhile trick to learn.

 

[Even Steven]

If you're sliding backwards down a snow or ice covered hill, then there is not much you can do at all.

I disagree with that statement. Your steering still works as long as you don't keep the brakes locked. At least you can maintain directional control that way, and you're not just sliding backwards without any control.

 

[Falls]

I think the key word was "ice" , if thats the case not much you can do on ice . Maybe if you had studded tires....lol

 

[JB.]

any tips for how to back down a hill that you do not make it all the way up... Any advise?

Thanks

One answer -- DAC

It works in reverse and is more agressive than going forward.

 

[Even Steven]

I think the key word was "ice" , if thats the case not much you can do on ice . Maybe if you had studded tires....lol

My 4Runner turns on ice...and I don't have studded tires.

The point is that you have to avoid locking the brakes, which is VERY easy to do in icy conditions. ABS doesn't function at all when all 4 wheels are completely locked up.

BTW, the guy said he was on a snow covered hill....he said nothing about ice.

 

[techno]

I disagree with that statement. Your steering still works as long as you don't keep the brakes locked. At least you can maintain directional control that way, and you're not just sliding backwards without any control.

No, your steering still works as long as you have some sort of traction. There are many times when you can steer and many when you cant....

 

[Even Steven]

No, your steering still works as long as you have some sort of traction. There are many times when you can steer and many when you cant....

That's right. And I've NEVER been in a situation where I didn't have "some sort of traction" with my 4Runner. That's right...even in snow, you'll have "some sort of traction". Even on ice, you'll have "some sort of traction". The key is to avoid locking up the brakes, and you'll have "some sort of traction" available to maintain directional control.

 

[techno]

You need to get out a bit more then. I've been in and seen plenty of situations and conditions where you simple have NO control left no matter how hard you try

 

[Even Steven]

You need to get out a bit more then. I've been in and seen plenty of situations and conditions where you simple have NO control left no matter how hard you try

I've been driving in snowy NY winters for more than 20 years now. Believe me, I've been in every winter condition possible. Plus, I love to wheel in the snow.

I think you should probably work on your driving skills. If you can't find any traction at all, it's most likely due to your driving. I've driven on frozen lakes (pure ice, of course) and still managed to find traction to start/stop/turn.

 

[Falls]

You need to get out a bit more then. I've been in and seen plenty of situations and conditions where you simple have NO control left no matter how hard you try

Agree with that , been there .

 

[Even Steven]

Agree with that , been there .

Okay, whatever. We're not talking about driving on the highway and suddenly hitting a patch of black ice. In that situation, I agree that there is little or nothing that you can do but hang on.

Instead, we're talking about driving up a snow-covered hill (most likely offroad) at a slow pace. In that scenario, Falls, I'm surprised that you of all people would think that you could be completely out of control. I thought you were like me in that we both liked to snow wheel. If that's the case, then you should know as well as I do that it is entirely possible to maintain at least some steering control even while sliding down a hill in snow.

Maybe I'll have to teach you two a thing or two about snow driving! :bigok:

Or at least something about coefficients of friction!:awais:

 

[mccoyam]

Thank for all the responses, I didnt know that the DAC works in reverse. The hill that I was trying to climb was one that even without snow would have been a challenge but I thought I would test out the 4runner. I was able to steer a tad bit otherwise I would be telling a story about how I totaled my 4runner...
I had very little traction and was just wondering if people had any tips, like the DAC, just another reason I love my Toyota!!!

 

[Ulfr]

Hmm, maybe not so easy to understand, but what I do is usually that I try to go as slow as possible without losing the control over the car. Brake a bit but not too much. And just try to keep it steady.

This video might show "abit" of how to do it, or not to do it, you basicially choose whether it's smart or not.
Keep in mind I've only rolled over twice in my lifetime. (I can hear the laugh all the way over the atlantic sea, lol)

Abit braking, keeping the steering wheel fixed and focusin' on not too much slidin'.

 

[Even Steven]

Hmm, maybe not so easy to understand, but what I do is usually that I try to go as slow as possible without losing the control over the car. Brake a bit but not too much. And just try to keep it steady.

This video might show "abit" of how to do it, or not to do it, you basicially choose whether it's smart or not.
Keep in mind I've only rolled over twice in my lifetime. (I can hear the laugh all the way over the atlantic sea, lol)

Abit braking, keeping the steering wheel fixed and focusin' on not too much slidin'.

Nice video...is that you? That's a perfect example of how to maintain control when sliding back down a snowy hill. Your video pretty much proved my point because it is obvious that there was still steering control...

 

[Ulfr]

Nice video...is that you? That's a perfect example of how to maintain control when sliding back down a snowy hill. Your video pretty much proved my point because it is obvious that there was still steering control...

Yep, that's me.
And almost in all cases you can have some control over the steering.

 

[Falls]

Cool vid. Now thats some snow wheeling

 

[techno]

Your video pretty much proved my point because it is obvious that there was still steering control...

I fail to see how you can possibly think that a driver can ALWAYS stay in control simply through proper driving skills and techniques. There are simply way to many variables to consider for that to be even remotely possible. I have reversed/slid down hundreds of snowy hills and been able to steer and have braking abilities, its not hard, BUT I have also experience several times where conditions are such that all traction and steering is lost. Last winter at Paragon I was unable to make it up a very steep hill after several attempts. At the point where I stopped I stayed stationary for about 30 seconds and my passenger got out to help with setting up snatch straps. When he closed the door I began to slowly slide backwards. I released the brakes to help regain traction but my snow and ice clogged tires were now slicks. Steering was completely ineffective because the tires could not get any traction. I slide about 4-5 car lengths down the hill until I ran off the track into a snow bank.
I've had many other occasions where similar lack of traction results in loss of control. Even Steven, if you have never found yourself in these kind of situations then thats fantastic, lucky you, you're a skilled driver and your vehicle is well equipped, but you have to accept that conditions will and do exist that result in NO TRACTION AND CONTROL, regardless of who's driving.

Here's the exact hill at paragon.