Driving in snow

[Photogr]

Great advice above, but (unless I missed it) a few things to add. Most of these are common sense, but worth stating and practicing.

- Ice is a much bigger problem than snow, and packed snow is more challenging than fresh. Know what you're driving on. I will often test my stopping capability by slamming the brake when no ones behind me and see how quick I can stop. In the mountains, this can not only change rapidly, but so to the slope of the road. Test often and adjust your speed as necessary. It's a scary feeling to test and find you're going way too fast, but that's way better when you have time to adjust back down to a safe speed.

- Tread depth makes a huge difference in snow. Your capability from the previous year may not be the same.

- Where most people get into trouble is ice that's covered by snow, or "black ice". Either case you won't see it coming and thus if you're already going slow you'll be in much better shape when you hit it.

- When you begin to slip, not only steer into the slide, as mentioned above, but take your foot off the gas and brake until the vehicle is in control. Antilock brakes have really changed the way you can control a vehicle in an emergency maneuver, but you have to have control of the vehicle before you slam on the brakes. If you do have to slam on the brakes, continue to steer into the slid as you slow down.

- Like normal driving, you need to have situational awareness. Are there cars next to me, behind me, etc. Choices in an emergency maneuver may be limited by your momentary surroundings.

- All things being equal, you can steer around a problem in less distance than stopping in front of it.

 

[OregonHiker]

Listen to the advice given in these responses regarding slowing down etc. It is too easy to build up speed and then not be able to slow down quick enough. As far as the KO2's, don't worry your self. They are fine, not quite as good in snow and ice as tires like the Cooper AT3 4S or the Falken AT3W but better than the stock 4Runner tires.

 

[Finslayer83]

Thanks!

I'll be going to the Smoky Mountains by North Carolina/Tennessee area. I don't think snow will be bad, if any, at that time of the year... but it's 2020, never know.

Snow won't be an issue in the Smokies.

maybe 1-3 "real snows" a year. (2-5")

if anything its a dusting which is gone by 9am.

TN resident here and lived in the Smokies for 7 years.

 

[fkheath]

So 21 states allow it.
And it is blinding in the rain or snow in the dark, that's why the majority of states do not allow it.
But now I understand why so many idiots do it down here in Florida ound:

Where I live (Utah), flashers are REQUIRED if the vehicle is traveling slower than normal: trucks going up hill, fog, snow, etc. Makes sense to me to warn those idiots that come up behind you faster than conditions allow.

Also, here in Utah, it is illegal to pass a snow plow, no matter what lane the plow is in on a multi lane highway, but you see it all the time. Where it snows a lot, like here, we have these humongous snow plows that can clear THREE lanes at a time: one blade out front and a blade dropped down on each side. No way am I going to tangle with one of those!

 

[CMTAZ]

If your speed is creeping up while driving, you’ve got bigger issues than snow!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That would be true........... :embarassed:

 

[BobsTrail]

If you have a Trail or ORP, the Sand/Mud mode works very well on slick, steep hills.

I'm a big fan of the Multi-Terrain settings, but see few positive references about it. Nice to see your version.

 

[the_fornicator]

Also forgot to add, smooth input is another important factor to add.

If it's slippery out, if you have jerky steering or are not smooth on the throttle, there's a good chance of throwing yourself into a spin.

 

[Fermn]

What about 4wd?

When should I engage it?


I've lived in hot, flat, South Florida all my life. I've only been to mountains during summer time so I really have no experience with this kind of weather/terrain.

 

[jhguth]

it's doubtful that you will see snowy conditions in december here beyond some flakes or light snow at higher elevations, but if it's accumulating on the road sure you can go to 4wd.

Biggest thing would just be to make sure your tires are in good condition and not bald, if they are in good condition your KO2s will do well in the type of snow conditions you could conceivable see here

(and don't use hazard lights unless you're actually stopping)

 

[DAW89446]

What about 4wd? When should I engage it?

I engage it as soon as I encounter any ice and snow, as long as I’m not on hairpin turns. Even if the road is alternating between dry, icy, wet, snow as it often is out here after the plows do their work. It don’t hurt to have your vehicle in 4WD as long as you are not making sharp turns; and if you are running the same size tires on all four.

 

[ElectroBoy]

What about 4wd?

When should I engage it?


I've lived in hot, flat, South Florida all my life. I've only been to mountains during summer time so I really have no experience with this kind of weather/terrain.

Here’s a 4WD reference guide a forum member put together (it’s not a Toyota publication).

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/2791697-post763.html

 

[YBstranded]

I grew up in Northern Idaho driving muscle cars year round. Yeah, I'm old, but at least I know how to drive in snow.

Some great advice so far. Particularly the posts that advise to soften all of your actions. No sudden movements in steering, braking, or acceleration.

Sounds like you won't have to worry about it.

I've only crashed once due to slick roads, and that was when I moved to Iowa for a few years and experienced freezing rain for the first time. It's like black ice on steroids.

I was driving 15 mph, on studded snow tires, going around a sharp 90-degree corner on a rural highway that was slightly slanted. Suddenly, the car just slowly started sliding sideways off the road and into the ditch.

It was comical. Never seen anything like it. Every surface was coated in an inch of pure ice.

That was almost 30 years ago and I've never crashed since.

 

[JLTD]

Maybe I missed it earlier; but I was taught the egg method:

Pretend there is a raw egg between your foot and whatever pedal you are using. Smooth and gentle with light pressure....

 

[Dollar Retriever]

So, the surface is slippery or not depends on the status of snow.

If it’s just snow powder(really fresh snow flakes in very cold temperature) won’t be super slippery.

If it’s mixed, like ice, slushy, black ice, be careful.

I crushed once into a tree. The snow on the road melted in afternoon but re-froze in evening as thin ice. That was a day before tire change appointment(change to winter tires with Snow Flake and 3 Peak Mountain symbol).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk