Help: Best settings in Snow / Ice?

[Suzuka-Joe]

Hey Guys,

My first post - just picked up my 2011 Limited a month ago and have been catching up w/ posts on the site. Nice to meet you and hello from WA state.

Background: I love travelling in the snow / ice, but cant say that I am a seasoned veteran at tackling harsh roads. I bought the 4runner to keep my wife / new baby safe through the winter season. I previously owned a Mitsu Lancer Evo 10 w/ snow tires. That car was absolutely amazing in the snow (w/ snow tires). It was extremely easy to drive in snow / ice : just press a button to put it into snow mode and let the car/electronics do the rest. I was passing SUV's / trucks w/ ease and extreme confidence in the snow packed highways. Though I have faith in the 4runner, it seems like it offers more customization, and at the same time, confusion.

Question: As you know, my Limited comes with A-Trac, Slip Control On/Off, the 4wd knobs. What are your recommendations in terms of settings for:

1.) Fresh, deep snow covered roads? For those long road trips on ungroomed remote highways...

2.) Hard packed snow covered roads? For packed snow roads withing the city?

3.) Icy roads? For freezing rain / hard packed snow?

Is it better to leave all drivetrain settings 'as is' or is there advantage to customizing? And yes, I have snow tires for my 4runner.. just installed a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks - the only tire I could find to fit the Limited.

Would appreciate real-life knowledge and wisdom from those who've "been there and done that" w/ their 2010/11 4runner as opposed to somebody w/ plain theory and opinion....

Thanks much for the help and for keeping us safe!

 

[glocke12]

I have yet to drive my 5th gen with atrac and crawl control in a winter season, but I did own a 4th gen, and drove it every winter for the past 7 years here in eastern PA.

I enjoy driving on snow covered roads also. I dont really consider myself any kind of expert, but here is what I usually did:

For fresh powder and in general on any snow covered/slushy roads I usually kept it in 4 hi, sometimes shifting into 4lo for some short sections sections that have yet to be plowed.

For ICE: Seriously, stay home. No 4wd mechanism in the world will work on ice covered roads. If you have chains you might stand a chance on ice, but is it really worth it?

It should also go without saying that driving in wintry conditions, especially on roads that have not been plowed is rather dangerous. Multiply this danger many fold if your in an area that is remote. In severe weather you run the risk of your car sliding off the road and not being seen due to vegetation, terrain, or snow cover.

Lastly, at the very least carry a sleeping bag rated for at least 0 degree, some water, and some snacks.

 

[Yakman]

I was passing SUV's / trucks w/ ease and extreme confidence in the snow packed highways.

One of the biggest mistakes people make when driving 4WD vehicles on snow or ice is thinking they can safely drive faster than other vehicles on the road. While 4WD vehicles may go more places 2WD, they aren't designed to stop any faster than a 2 WD vehicle. A 4WD vehicle that is traveling at a higher speed is going to take more time to stop, especially on slick roads. Most of the time, it's the 4WD SUV that ends up stuck in the ditch when the roads are slick. In most situations, those drivers were simply driving too fast for road conditions and mistakenly thought their 4WD vehicles were exempt from the rules of physics.

To answer your questions, in most cases leaving your vehicle in full-time 4WD will meet your needs for city and highway driving. If you find yourself driving in deep snow, shifting to H4WD will help. If you happen to get stuck in snow or mud, turning off the TRAC system is a good idea and will allow you to rock the vehicle back and forth to get you going again. Regarding use of A-TRAC, keep in mind this feature only works when the transmission is set to L4WD, meaning you will only use this setting in extreme conditions which are rarely encountered on city, county or highway roads.

Hope this helps.

 

[B'klyn_Mike]

If you want to get some better insight of how a vehicle fares on ice using regular tires, snow tires and chains check out the Car vs Road segment of the show WEATHER PROOF...it's a Weather Channel offering.

You'll see what you're up against when driving on ice...it's very informative!

Haven't found it on YouTube yet so you'll have to check the listings.

Mike :artist2:

 

[Suzuka-Joe]

Thanks for the guidance, all. I dont think speeding in ice/snow is preferable either, but the mistu just instilled more control at confidence at higher speed. I understand the guidance and warnings about ice handling.

So it sounds like 4hi as a first step for most situations.. Traction OFF as a second when stuck. ATrac as third in more heavy duty situations.

I think I'll be ok with 4hi and Traction OFF at best when going to make diaper runs this winter.

Be safe and thanks much.

If anybody else has wisdom to share, would love to hear.

 

[Tgrds]

Regarding use of A-TRAC, keep in mind this feature only works when the transmission is set to L4WD, meaning you will only use this setting in extreme conditions which are rarely encountered on city, county or highway roads.

I do not think this statement holds true for all. I have a TE 4runner and click OFF the A-TRAC when in 2WD so I can spin the rear wheels as much as I like in the snow and mud. All though the warning beep and light still goes on when it senses that the vehicle is sliding. This is really really annoying, I am going to see if the dealer can disable this garbage! I am also going to see if they can permanently disable the A-TRAC!

1) 2WD for as much as I can get away with until the road simply becomes too nasty with snow, ice, or mud then I switch to 4WD Hi and rock on.

2) Having grown up in the mountains with adverse weather I try to keep the A-TRAC off as much as I can, not only can I drive better with it off but I would suggest that with the A-TRAC on you are more in danger of crashing! Why because when it engages it sounds like you are ripping your vehicle apart which causes panic to the driver. My wife being a good example of this, the noise startled her so much she almost put it into the ditch.

 

[Ryan_S]

I do not think this statement holds true for all. I have a TE 4runner and click OFF the A-TRAC when in 2WD so I can spin the rear wheels as much as I like

please RTFM before posting. A-TRAC and traction control are two completely different things. You are thinking of traction control (TRAC). Although I can see two you could get all of the acronyms confused. :cheers:

 

[westwind77]

I have a TE 4runner and click OFF the A-TRAC when in 2WD so I can spin the rear wheels as much as I like in the snow and mud. All though the warning beep and light still goes on when it senses that the vehicle is sliding. This is really really annoying, I am going to see if the dealer can disable this garbage! I am also going to see if they can permanently disable the A-TRAC!

A-TRAC and TRAC are 2 different things! A-Trac can ONLY be activated in 4LO. TRAC is what you are activating/deactivating in 2wd (essentially traction control). If you press it once rather quick it turns that on and off. The warning beep and corrections it does when sliding is your VSC system kicking in. To turn that off press and HOLD the TRAC (NOT A-trac) button for 3 seconds.....find some snow/ice and do any many 360s as you want with no bells or corrections. (pressing it for 3 deactivates the TRAC & VSC systems)

You might want to open your manual and read up on the systems, how they work, and how to turn them on and off. It does a great job and explaining them clearly.

 

[prestone818]

i have a sr5 but thought i would throw in .02. when there are big snow storms here i see more suvs on the side of the highway, i believe people have a false sense of confidence when driving in bad conditions (especially those with 4x4). getting going isnt as important as stopping. you have snow tires which is a good step but dont let your comfort get out of hand. if you have to hit the brakes in a sudden situation you are going to slide much farther than you think you will.

heres a pic from last thursday

 

[M1911]

Just leave it in 4WD high, center diff unlocked. Slow down. Drive gently. And remember that 4WD helps you go -- it doesn't help you stop or turn.

 

[Yakman]

I do not think this statement holds true for all. I have a TE 4runner and click OFF the A-TRAC when in 2WD so I can spin the rear wheels as much as I like in the snow and mud. All though the warning beep and light still goes on when it senses that the vehicle is sliding. This is really really annoying, I am going to see if the dealer can disable this garbage! I am also going to see if they can permanently disable the A-TRAC!

1) 2WD for as much as I can get away with until the road simply becomes too nasty with snow, ice, or mud then I switch to 4WD Hi and rock on.

2) Having grown up in the mountains with adverse weather I try to keep the A-TRAC off as much as I can, not only can I drive better with it off but I would suggest that with the A-TRAC on you are more in danger of crashing! Why because when it engages it sounds like you are ripping your vehicle apart which causes panic to the driver. My wife being a good example of this, the noise startled her so much she almost put it into the ditch.

Nope, I think my original statement was correct. As noted by others, A-TRAC and TRAC are two completely different systems.

 

[Okki]

Also keep in mind you are hauling along a LOT more weight compared to the EVO. So under-steer will be more severe and braking distance possibly longer depending on conditions.

And 4x4 on slick surfaces are HARDER to control and drive than 2WD. In 2WD you can use the brake/drive differential to steer the car by vectoring brake pressure versus drive traction. In the snow the 4WD will be a blessing; on ice/slick roads, you need to be more careful. As mentioned before, thats why you see all the Jeep guys in the ditch or guardrail when it's slick out because most don't know/remember that ....

Okki

 

[M1911]

As mentioned before, thats why you see all the Jeep guys in the ditch or guardrail when it's slick out because most don't know/remember that ...

Yea, it is really easy to get overconfident in the snow when driving a 4WD/AWD vehicle. You hit the gas and the car just goes with little or no slipping. But when you go to stop or turn, things get exciting.

 

[Koz]

Having full time 4WD with the limited slip center diff is the BEST feature for bad weather driving (slippery surfaces). The diff will sense slip and divert more torque to the axle with traction. Under normal operation you will get a 70R/30F split, which can change to approx 50/50 when rear slip is sensed. You also have to remember VSC is engaged when in this mode. This also is great for driving in slippery conditions. The only time you would want to lock the center diff is when you get stuck or moving very slow in very slippery conditions (deep snow, sand, etc). The important thing to remember is when you lock the center diff the torque is split 50/50 and the VSC is disabled and you can VERY easily spin the vehicle (batman style). Also when you lock the center diff the traction control sensitivity is less and you can easily overpower it and spin the tires, if you are stuck. The 4Runner is an amazing vehicle in the snow. I can't till you how many times I would find an empty lot and push it way beyond a normal vehicle. You really have to push it to lose complete control.

Koz


Koz

 

[Tgrds]

A-TRAC and TRAC are 2 different things! A-Trac can ONLY be activated in 4LO. TRAC is what you are activating/deactivating in 2wd (essentially traction control). If you press it once rather quick it turns that on and off. The warning beep and corrections it does when sliding is your VSC system kicking in. To turn that off press and HOLD the TRAC (NOT A-trac) button for 3 seconds.....find some snow/ice and do any many 360s as you want with no bells or corrections. (pressing it for 3 deactivates the TRAC & VSC systems)

You might want to open your manual and read up on the systems, how they work, and how to turn them on and off. It does a great job and explaining them clearly.

Thank you for the clarification you are correct, I was talking about the TRAC button and thought that was the A-TRAC button which is the one next to it. I will have to give that 3 second push on the TRAC button a test to see if that works, that will be most helpful helpful. Thank you.

As far folks saying that I need to read the manual, I understand your comments. I have looked and read through my 664 page manual many times and still have not found a comfort level with all the electronic switches and names relating to the 2WD and 4WD systems. From my perspective all these electronic nobs and switches equate to gimmicks that not only become confusing to get straight, but actually in my case get in the way of driving the vehicle effectively.

 

[westwind77]

I will have to give that 3 second push on the TRAC button a test to see if that works, that will be most helpful helpful. Thank you.

It will work! If it does not work take it to the dealer, manual states press and hold for 3s.

As far folks saying that I need to read the manual, I understand your comments. I have looked and read through my 664 page manual many times and still have not found a comfort level with all the electronic switches and names relating to the 2WD and 4WD systems. From my perspective all these electronic nobs and switches equate to gimmicks that not only become confusing to get straight, but actually in my case get in the way of driving the vehicle effectively.

I don't know what to say, I read the manual (more than once as well), to me it was easy to read and understand, then again I have driven nothing but 4wd vehicles my entire life so I already had a good knowledge before I opened the 'book'. Sure, some things in vehicles these days are nothing more than 'gimmicks' as you say, but to me what the 4R has to offer is impressive and useful, far from any 'gimmick'! I think one of the most useful things is the A-TRAC feature, I have only used it once I can see how it could be a 'life saver'. I purposely buried the 4R in the snow/ice in 4WD to test the features, tried to get get moving no luck, once I activated A-TRAC the 4R pulled itself right up and out like there was nothing in its way. I know I could have gotten out if I really needed to without it, but the point here is that is a great feature, not a 'gimmick'.

VSC - not sure how that is a 'gimmick', I consider that a life saving feature, especially when driving on the snow/ice/rain. Without a doubt the VSC system can take the 'fun' out of driving in the snow (that is if you like to go around every corner fishtailing and spinning around pretending like you are 'drifting'), but it also can be turned off as easy as 1-2-3, if you wish to drive like that. From what I have read these system are very advanced and can usually tell if your car/truck/suv is starting to lose control, before the driver is even aware sometimes, and put into place the needed corrections.

The 4R has many great features, the only thing people might be apt to call a 'gimmick' would be the sliding rear tray, although I have actually found it to be very usefully with larger items so.....

 

[M1911]

VSC - not sure how that is a 'gimmick', I consider that a life saving feature, especially when driving on the snow/ice/rain.

From what I've read, statistics have shown that electronic spin control significantly reduces fatal accidents.

 

[Koz]

These nannies (gimmicks) do things that are IMPOSSIBLE for the driver to do, such as braking one wheel to keep the vehicle going straight. Find an empty snow covered parking lot and push the vehicle to losing control with the nanies enabled then disabled and you see they are not gimmicks.

Koz

 

[Snooperstyle]

ATRAC on icy hills et al

Didn't want to start a new post, so I thought I would just post in this one. Last weekend, I was on a steep icy hill, and I had to stop while going up. Going down was even steeper and icier, and was no match for ANY vehicle other than one with studded tires or chains. So, going up the hill, or just parking until the city came by with the salt, was my only option. Anyways, I started by putting it in 4LO with ATRAC on, just to see how it would react, and it was so slippery that I could not make the truck go anywhere. So, then I turned it back off and put in 4H, and turned off all of the gizmos, including holding down the TRAC button for 3 secs, and I was able to get up the hill, not without a good bit of slippage. If I would have had a diff lock, it probably would have been no issue whatsoever. A Ford Explorer 4x4 with Michelin MTX's went sliding down the exact same hill sideways and backwards and almost nailed a mailbox and a parked car.

For those of you/us who are liking driving with the gizmos off, it should be noted that they turn back on after you go over a certain speed...which it says in the manual somewhere...

After trying both 4H and FTFWD, I think that I agree that if you are driving at higher speeds (no not dangerous, just faster than slow) on snow packed roads, you should be in the FTFWD if you have a LIMITED. The center diff being unlocked and all the gizmos really help keep you on track in the turns. Is this the common consensus? Be nice.

 

[clubted]

Snow/Ice settings

I was in Mammoth Lakes last week for my 5th gen's first ski trip during a week of 7 - 12 ft of new snowfall (I'm not kidding). In the early evening we drove into a driving snowstorm, passing 100+ cars at chain control. I told the Highway Patrol officer I had all-terrain tires with less than 1,000 miles, 4WD with every electronic traction control yet devised, and chains in the back. They let me go and advised me to be careful. I drove the next 30 miles in 4WD Hi on an unplowed highway with no problems whatsoever. In fact it snowed one to three feet every day we were there and my vehicle never put a wheel wrong while others were slipping, fishtailing and occaisionally in the ditch. The only time it got dicy was when I was slightly off the crown of a two lane road on ice and the car started slipping sideways. I stopped, put it in Low and drove out of it. Very very happy with the performance.

That being said I agree with the previous posters re safety. No matter how well designed your 4WD system is it will not be safe on ice.