Driving in Smoky Mountains....

[umidkusername]

We just did the smokies between christmas and new years. Had a blast. The only time I used 4x4 was offroad and in snow to get up to our cabin. Otherwise it was just 2wd the whole time. Had a blast. I just geared down to use the engine to hold me back at places. And pulled off a lot for pictures.

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What do you mean gear down? I don’t know that lingo.


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[Nobody Special]

I couldn’t pick up the sarcasm. Are you saying when going downhill on mostly dry pavement you should be in 4H?


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You should be in 2H if you can on dry roads. 4H is open for debate in the rain.
Unless you have PROPER tires, you should not be going too fast in rain.
Most 4X4 tires are NOT proper as they can't evacuate water like a proper "Max Performance Summer" tire, and will hydroplane.

I was poking fun at the guys who didn't recommend downshifting if you are on a STEEP downhill slope.
Say you have gears 1-5, and 5 is normal for the highway, you shift to 4 or 3 instead of using your brakes the whole time, the shifting of gears uses the engine as a brake. (The signs for truckers "USE LOW GEAR" are for this reason along with the "runaway" cutouts on the sides of mountain passes)

Sometimes even 2 or 1 on snowy slopes so you don't have to use your brakes which can be a bad idea on snow/ice as it can send you into a slide.

 

[AgentKooper]

Constantly uphill and downhill, I would say that’s vastly different then driving in a city at 0 elevation.


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As someone who has lived at sea level and in the Rocky Mountains, I would say it’s basically the same thing. Not trying to be snarky. I just don’t know what you are asking.

I drove my 4Runner over Berthoud Pass today in wet snow and down into Demver and never took it out of 2H. No problem.

I just reread the OP, and I guess the first question was pretty clear. Stay in 2H unless the road gets slippery for some reason. Then put it in 4H. You will not need 4L.


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[graciedad04]

What do you mean gear down? I don’t know that lingo.


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I shift to manual mode and switch to 4 or down to 3 depending on how slow I want to ho and how high I want my engine to rev while holding me back.

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[thirteen]

If you're worried about the Smokies, you would be absolutely terrified at the highways out west where we have real mountains.

 

[Brick Sprickly]

You'll be ok lol

 

[utctscanr75]

I grew up in East TN and was just there in my 4Runner in October visiting family. The previous post is correct. There is no reason to be in 4H or 4Lo when on DRY pavement. This will damage your drivetrain a lot faster.

However, if there is snow/ice, by all means shift into 4H as you feel it is needed.

In October, I drove from Gatlinburg to Cherokee and back with no braking issues or fatigue.

Have fun and tell Dolly hi from me.

 

[mbumpus11]

Did a trip to the smoky mountains this passed summer via BRP. Tons of hills and mountains and I had no need to use 4wd or even low gear, even on dirt roads in the park. The 4Runner does a great job at transmission breaking in regular drive down hill too.

tbh I thought your cargo area was on fire at first glance

 

[4RunnerMurse]

Wait, what????

I would like to inform you and the OP, that is an untrue statement.

You can actually place your T4R in 4H and while traveling in a straight line and/or when the pavement is wet.
I hope this need no further explanation as it has been discussed on this forum.

OP,
No need to worry about your truck being able to handle the paved roads in the smoky mtns.

True, but I think it's easier to tell this guy to just not do that than have to worry about him going completely straight and not driving up and down switchbacks in 4H or 4LO. I'm fully aware you can drive lightly and straight in 4 wheel on paved roads but some people don't understand it.

 

[umidkusername]

I don’t think my thread was that crazy after I saw this. This place has almost no rails, roads where two trucks would barely fit, steep roads, etc.

So I did pretty good this far using 2H. Going down from the top though I’m sure I was picking up some heat on the breaks and there were a few low gear signs for trucks.


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[LandCruiser]

lol

“Mountains”

 

[spartacus]

If you are'driving in a relatively straight line under 55mph you can engage your 4x4 without hurting the drive train even on dry pavement. it's when you turn that binding would occur. Down shifting when going down hill is a good idea. It keeps'the brakes from overheating.

 

[AgentKooper]

I don’t think my thread was that crazy after I saw this. This place has almost no rails, roads where two trucks would barely fit, steep roads, etc.

So I did pretty good this far using 2H. Going down from the top though I’m sure I was picking up some heat on the breaks and there were a few low gear signs for trucks.


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That sign would make more sense if it required either chains or snow tires. If conditions were that bad I’d choose either of those over 4WD. Glad your drive is going well. I’ve driven through the Smoky Mountains, and it’s beautiful country.


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[meltdown]

OP, for your next trip, you should drive the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado. I think you would totally enjoy it.

 

[jhguth]

4H is open for debate in the rain.

it is?

definitely you don't need 4wd in the rain, and because the center is locked (unless you have a limited) being in 4wd can actually reduce your grip in the rain. not sure how there could be any debate about this.

stay in 2wd and let your traction and stability control do the work if needed, which it really shouldn't be on a regular basis unless your tires are shit

 

[KingPrat]

I laugh at the "flip over backward" comment. My uncle had a 66 Chevelle SS that he built that he could get the front tires off the ground. Probably pushing 500+hp. And they didn't weight much.

You will find many threads/posts about how "underpowered" the 5th gen is.... (it's not). You will never find a situation on a paved road that you'll have to worry about that.

There can be situations where you can keep your foot on the brake to help start on a hill, but it would have to be pretty steep. Left foot brake, right foot accelerator, release brake when you get on the gas.

I don’t think my thread was that crazy after I saw this. This place has almost no rails, roads where two trucks would barely fit, steep roads, etc.

This photo is a winter-condition warning. If it were snowing, it'd be flashing. If it's not flashing, no need for anything like that.

I'm assuming you just bought this thing and you've never had a 4wd before. If there's snow - slow down and throw it in 4H. There is a huge amount traction control and stability control that will do a much better job keeping you on the road than you overthinking it.

On extended downhill, shift to S and you can control what max gear you shift into. I usually try to downshift when I'm in the 2000rpm range to avoid over-rev. You'll hit around 50mph in 3rd gear with no brake input on a downgrade.

And FWIW, I've owned SUVs for 20 years. I have NEVER needed or even considered 4WD in the rain. Way overkill.

Enjoy your 4Runner. You'll get used to everything that's available to you. Don't overthink it and have fun.

 

[Davidt]

I;ll be driving down from Bristol tn. might take a route through the smokeys Back to Florida. any special places you liked I might want to check out?

 

[Ripper238]

tbh I thought your cargo area was on fire at first glance

LED strips in camp fire mode. lol

 

[LandCruiser]

it is?

definitely you don't need 4wd in the rain, and because the center is locked (unless you have a limited) being in 4wd can actually reduce your grip in the rain. not sure how there could be any debate about this.

stay in 2wd and let your traction and stability control do the work if needed, which it really shouldn't be on a regular basis unless your tires are shit

I only used 4H if there was snow and ice on the road.

 

[umidkusername]

it is?

definitely you don't need 4wd in the rain, and because the center is locked (unless you have a limited) being in 4wd can actually reduce your grip in the rain. not sure how there could be any debate about this.

stay in 2wd and let your traction and stability control do the work if needed, which it really shouldn't be on a regular basis unless your tires are shit

I have the stock Nitto Terra Grapplers in the 265/70/17 size. They’re no longer made and I only have 19k on these so I have a ways to go. For the 15k check up my tires were apparently in great condition.

Any recommendations for next set? Brand? Type?

Unfortunately I heard the squeaking sound at one point so I think I need the bearings checked. So surprised for only 19k miles.


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