New 4runner and a snowy highway question

[013]

Today we received several inches of the white stuff that seemed to snare highway traffic here in the Chicago area. It was my real test of my new 4runner and a chance for me to post some questions and concerns. The roads were plowed however it kept snowing and the crews could not keep up. The typical deep ruts developed in the lanes. Since this is my first 4X4 I have a few questions to my fellow T4R owners. I took the highway home from work in 4X4 (4H) mode diff unlocked. I noticed that while trying to change lanes inorder to pass vehicles and while hitting those snow ruts, the truck seemed to loose power and drift alittle. Would it have been better for me to lock the diff.? Also what is the maximum speed that one could drive with that diff. locked? The maximum highway speed tonight was between 35-40. On a positive note, my truck was surrounded by 12-18 inches of drift snow when it was time to leave work, however you would never know it considering how easily I was able to get through it. I'm trying to find a nice unplowed empty lot inorder to get familiar with this vehicle as well as to test both mine and the trucks limitations safely. Thanks in advance for your input

2007 SR5 V6 4X4

 

[Mike07SE]

As far as the diff lock feature goes, as long as you're not on pavement, you could in a sense drive as fast as you possibly can. Remember, with the Diff Lock feature on, you will lose the stability control feature.

Driving out on the road today you were probably better off driving the truck in 4H without the lock. When you were changing lanes what you were probably feeling was a combination of the vehicle loosing traction going between ruts and the VSC trying to compensate for this. In the end it's all about driving repsonsibly and knowing what you're vehicle is capable of doing.

 

[toto]

I think it's normal for the car to seem like it's losing power as you drive from the ruts in the snow into deeper snow. There's more resistance coming from the snow, so the change is noticable. I don't think the VSC had anything to do with it... I know the same thing happened on older cars without VSC. You just have to take it easy and be careful doing such a thing - no technology will ever change that.

 

[kctoyman]

Being a newbie as well, I also had a concern with when to use the 4H. I was reading the great post in the off-road section explaining the details of how and when to use the different settings. As a mainly daily driver 4runner, I would be using 4H the most. The instructions on the visor say to stay below 60mph, but I'd to run up to 70mph, which is the speed limit on my ride home. The conditions are often such that you could go 70, but you would want to go much faster. Should that be a problem or potentially cause damage?

-- KC

 

[Neil]

You can't engage or disengage 4 high over 60mph but you can drive any speed you want to once you are in 4 high without causing any excessive wear and tear.

 

[Zmtking]

Keep in mind that 60+ in 4hi is for dry road conditions. Use good judgment in adverse conditions.

 

[jharris2]

You can't engage or disengage 4 high over 60mph but you can drive any speed you want to once you are in 4 high without causing any excessive wear and tear.

Be sure to follow whatever is in your owner's manual, because specifications could change. My owner's manual says you can disengage 4WD (go from H4 to H2) at any speed.

 

[Falls]

Today we received several inches of the white stuff that seemed to snare highway traffic here in the Chicago area. It was my real test of my new 4runner and a chance for me to post some questions and concerns. The roads were plowed however it kept snowing and the crews could not keep up. The typical deep ruts developed in the lanes. Since this is my first 4X4 I have a few questions to my fellow T4R owners. I took the highway home from work in 4X4 (4H) mode diff unlocked. I noticed that while trying to change lanes inorder to pass vehicles and while hitting those snow ruts, the truck seemed to loose power and drift alittle. Would it have been better for me to lock the diff.? Also what is the maximum speed that one could drive with that diff. locked? The maximum highway speed tonight was between 35-40. On a positive note, my truck was surrounded by 12-18 inches of drift snow when it was time to leave work, however you would never know it considering how easily I was able to get through it. I'm trying to find a nice unplowed empty lot inorder to get familiar with this vehicle as well as to test both mine and the trucks limitations safely. Thanks in advance for your input

2007 SR5 V6 4X4

Personally drove in a similar situation last night. My diff. was locked , for the most part ( not all) I feel I can drive and control the truck better , but have been driving 4x4 trucks . suv's for 23 years in the snow , so I'd rather handle things myself and VSC in certain situations can be dangerous. New technology is ok , but I've never ha a problem , even without anti-lock brakes.