Newbie to 4WD Snow Driving Questions

[White Chocolate]

2015 SR5 Super White

So I am a complete newbie to 4WD. My first 4Runner was 2001 2WD SR5 (I know, HUGE mistake 2WD). We have our first snow predicted for the area. I live in southeast Tennessee. An average snow is only an inch or so. We have been known to get up to 6 inches. We are a very hilly and mountainous area with few to no pieces of snow removal equipment.

• The side of my door says my tires should be inflated to 32 lbs. I generally run them at 34 lbs. Should I air them down a little for snow? These are still the factory tires.

• 4Hi or 4Lo for snowy conditions? I have the dial that you turn to switch into 4WD.

Any other 4WD snow driving tips for a newbie to 4WD would be appreciated. Don't want to wreck my baby!

 

[LawnDart]

4HI not 4LO.

You can safely take your tires down to 16. Try it at 20psi and see how it grips. Your gas mileage will take a hit, and as soon as conditions get better air back up.

I've been in Bend for the past 2 weeks, with about 1-2" of compacted snow, we got 10" yesterday, and I've been at 24psi around town.

2015 SR5 Super White

So I am a complete newbie to 4WD. My first 4Runner was 2001 2WD SR5 (I know, HUGE mistake 2WD). We have our first snow predicted for the area. I live in southeast Tennessee. An average snow is only an inch or so. We have been known to get up to 6 inches. We are a very hilly and mountainous area with few to no pieces of snow removal equipment.

• The side of my door says my tires should be inflated to 32 lbs. I generally run them at 34 lbs. Should I air them down a little for snow? These are still the factory tires.

• 4Hi or 4Lo for snowy conditions? I have the dial that you turn to switch into 4WD.

Any other 4WD snow driving tips for a newbie to 4WD would be appreciated. Don't want to wreck my baby!

 

[stphnman20]

Check out this thread.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/62699-4runner-snow.html

 

[1engineer]

Stay home. Seriously. Why?

I've been driving in the snow for 30+ years and I live 10 minutes from a ski resort. When I go to an area like Charlotte that rarely gets snow, and it snows, I DO NOT get on the road with those amateur drivers!

Stop and think how people drive when it's sunny and dry. Now you want to get on the road with those same people when its slick?

For winter driving tips, there are several "how to" guides on google. Don't go out. Stay put. It will melt in a day. Watch the local news and see everyone else crashing. This is the only way to protect your vehicle. Leave it in the driveway.

If you want to learn how to drive in the snow, go somewhere where it snows regularly and people know how to drive in the snow.

 

[LawnDart]

Stay home. Seriously. Why?

I've been driving in the snow for 30+ years and I live 10 minutes from a ski resort. When I go to an area like Charlotte that rarely gets snow, and it snows, I DO NOT get on the road with those amateur drivers!

Stop and think how people drive when it's sunny and dry. Now you want to get on the road with those same people when its slick?

For winter driving tips, there are several "how to" guides on google. Don't go out. Stay put. It will melt in a day. Watch the local news and see everyone else crashing. This is the only way to protect your vehicle. Leave it in the driveway.

A 3.5 hour drive from Bend back to PDX would have taken me 10+ hours yesterday. It was cheaper just to get a hotel for the night than risk that nightmare.

 

[NoOneBetter]

Stay home. Seriously. Why?

I've been driving in the snow for 30+ years and I live 10 minutes from a ski resort. When I go to an area like Charlotte that rarely gets snow, and it snows, I DO NOT get on the road with those amateur drivers!

Stop and think how people drive when it's sunny and dry. Now you want to get on the road with those same people when its slick?

For winter driving tips, there are several "how to" guides on google. Don't go out. Stay put. It will melt in a day. Watch the local news and see everyone else crashing. This is the only way to protect your vehicle. Leave it in the driveway.

Gotta get out to the slopes for dat fresh pow pow brah. Yeewww

 

[1engineer]

A 3.5 hour drive from Bend back to PDX would have taken me 10+ hours yesterday. It was cheaper just to get a hotel for the night than risk that nightmare.

You did good. I am going to see my daughter and son in law this weekend in SC. It's supposed to snow a bit down there. Right now we have about 5" on the ground but it's no big deal... here. They are supposed to get 1"-3" and there will be cars all over the place... there. So my wife and I will leave at around 11 pm Friday night, drive four hours with nobody on the road (except the people who left their cars in the median lol) and when we get there, my 4Runner will stay in their driveway until the snow melts Saturday afternoon. That's the only safe way.

 

[Ron4RNevada]

Between 6 and 10 inches of powder here this morning. Everyone driving nice and slow as they ought to. 4HI is the key.

 

[philsey]

Stay home. Seriously. Why?

I've been driving in the snow for 30+ years and I live 10 minutes from a ski resort. When I go to an area like Charlotte that rarely gets snow, and it snows, I DO NOT get on the road with those amateur drivers!

Stop and think how people drive when it's sunny and dry. Now you want to get on the road with those same people when its slick?

For winter driving tips, there are several "how to" guides on google. Don't go out. Stay put. It will melt in a day. Watch the local news and see everyone else crashing. This is the only way to protect your vehicle. Leave it in the driveway.

If you want to learn how to drive in the snow, go somewhere where it snows regularly and people know how to drive in the snow.

Yeah ... good advice Greg, but I've got a Grant sez he won't take it.

I was in ATL years ago when it snowed 1 inch ... yowzas!

 

[bofa]

Stay home. Seriously. Why?

I've been driving in the snow for 30+ years and I live 10 minutes from a ski resort. When I go to an area like Charlotte that rarely gets snow, and it snows, I DO NOT get on the road with those amateur drivers!

Stop and think how people drive when it's sunny and dry. Now you want to get on the road with those same people when its slick?

For winter driving tips, there are several "how to" guides on google. Don't go out. Stay put. It will melt in a day. Watch the local news and see everyone else crashing. This is the only way to protect your vehicle. Leave it in the driveway.

If you want to learn how to drive in the snow, go somewhere where it snows regularly and people know how to drive in the snow.

I agree, but will caution that idiots inhabit snow-prone areas too. You definitely have to crank up the defensive driving skills this time of year... or plan to upgrade to steel with the insurance money.

 

[MTN4RNR]

Stay home. Seriously. Why?

I've been driving in the snow for 30+ years and I live 10 minutes from a ski resort. When I go to an area like Charlotte that rarely gets snow, and it snows, I DO NOT get on the road with those amateur drivers!

Stop and think how people drive when it's sunny and dry. Now you want to get on the road with those same people when its slick?

For winter driving tips, there are several "how to" guides on google. Don't go out. Stay put. It will melt in a day. Watch the local news and see everyone else crashing. This is the only way to protect your vehicle. Leave it in the driveway.

If you want to learn how to drive in the snow, go somewhere where it snows regularly and people know how to drive in the snow.

I second this. If you don't need to go out, don't. If you do, just remember that any and all reaction times DRAMATICALLY change in the snow, even with a good 4wd system. That's accelerating, turning AND braking. Your 4R could react on the snow, and then 10 feet later do something entirely different. Physics get really fun on the snow, especially when you're surrounded by other drivers that have no concept of the conditions they have set out in.

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

All of that said, the 4R is one of the best snow vehicles that I have ever driven when you have proper tires. That last bit is the important part, and is something you don't have. I wouldn't trust those factory tires in a million years.

 

[Powder_Hound]

If there is snow on the ground, in patches, or in areas on the road run in 4H. No need to air down for driving paved roads in snow. If your offroading in the snow that is a different story.

In Co., where it does snow, it doesn't stop too much from happening unless we get big snows like we did in this last storm. 12" at my house, but most govt. are only delayed by about 2 hours.

1) Put your T4r in 4H - no heros needed in the snow
2) Take your time...no need to race in the snow
3) Remember you can start faster with 4wd in snow but you CAN'T stop any faster. In fact, as our T4r's weigh approx. 5000 lbs they might actually be harder to stop than other vehicles
4) Try to brake normally and let your ABS do the work for you. It will grind, beep, and make a bunch of noise, but that is normal if you should loose traction when braking.
5) Give your self more space between you and the driver in front.
6) TAKE YOUR TIME!

Have fun and be safe out there.

 

[Warpkor]

I drove through Bend, OR last Sunday. Ice and snow all the way past the border in to California on 97. The Runner was stable and secure the whole time with just a few minutes in 4wheel high needed. The problem is the other folks in lesser vehicles and with lesser experience/smarts while driving in these conditions. I saw some crazy stuff that had me grip the steering wheel tightly a few times.

 

[wanderMT]

Leave tires at regular pressure - cold weather will reduce pressure enough for you.

Most important are good tires.
Probably won't have reason to use 4L, but try it out for very low speeds if ever away from all traffic (must be stopped to engage or disengage).
When it gets wet and slippery, don't hesitate to use 4x4 - I've never understood some who drive and slide around and for some reason do not use 4x4.
And, the usual warning - don't become overconfident due to starting traction you have in 4x4 - stopping traction does not improve.

 

[Ryan1975]

Gotta get out to the slopes for dat fresh pow pow brah. Yeewww

I'm so punching you in the face for saying pow pow

 

[Ryan1975]

Leave tires at regular pressure - cold weather will reduce pressure enough for you.

Most important are good tires.
Probably won't have reason to use 4L, but try it out for very low speeds if ever away from all traffic (must be stopped to engage or disengage).
When it gets wet and slippery, don't hesitate to use 4x4 - I've never understood some who drive and slide around and for some reason do not use 4x4.
And, the usual warning - don't become overconfident due to starting traction you have in 4x4 - stopping traction does not improve.

I'm the guy that turns off VSC/TC and alternates between 4wd / 2wd just to power slide around corners. Been driving in snow for decades and still act like a kid in the snow (when other cars / curbs and immovable objects are not around).

6" of snow this am and made it in just fine...no issues on the commute...no need to change tire pressure...just leave 10-15 minutes earlier and don't ride the ass of the car in front of you. Pretend like being courteous is a way of life.

 

[MTN4RNR]

Another quick note. If you can, safely, get to an open parking lot when the snow is on the ground and practice starting, stopping, and turning. That's the single best way to learn and it was how I learned growing up. You'll never know how to react to a slide if you have never slid. Best to do it in a controlled environment with no one around :thumb3:

 

[Ryan1975]

Another quick note. If you can, safely, get to an open parking lot when the snow is on the ground and practice starting, stopping, and turning. That's the single best way to learn and it was how I learned growing up. You'll never know how to react to a slide if you have never slid. Best to do it in a controlled environment with no one around :thumb3:

If you happen to live in the one state of the union that does not get snow (I'm looking at you Florida; non-participating jackasses) you can substitute a FWD car driven up on lunch trays with the rear e-brake engaged.

 

[Layson]

2015 SR5 Super White

So I am a complete newbie to 4WD. My first 4Runner was 2001 2WD SR5 (I know, HUGE mistake 2WD). We have our first snow predicted for the area. I live in southeast Tennessee. An average snow is only an inch or so. We have been known to get up to 6 inches. We are a very hilly and mountainous area with few to no pieces of snow removal equipment.

• The side of my door says my tires should be inflated to 32 lbs. I generally run them at 34 lbs. Should I air them down a little for snow? These are still the factory tires.

• 4Hi or 4Lo for snowy conditions? I have the dial that you turn to switch into 4WD.

Any other 4WD snow driving tips for a newbie to 4WD would be appreciated. Don't want to wreck my baby!

I have been driving in snow pretty much my entire life. But what I do whenever I get a new vehicle and it snows. I take it out, go find a parking lot, or someplace where nobody is at and drive the hell out of it. I bet I spent an hour out one night after we got 4" of snow the first time. By the time I was done I could drift the 4runner around the corners with the pedal almost to the floor. I was thoroughly impressed with this vehicle in the snow. After that I was very comfortable driving it anywhere on the roads.

If it is nasty out though. Just put it in 4 hi as long as there is snow and it is slippery. Don't waste your time right now with air pressure in your tires. You don't really need to do that with just a little bit of snow. Sounds like you have really no hills or passes to go over.

The one thing about driving these things in the snow is if your in 4wd as long as you are pushing on the gas pedal this thing will go where you point it. If you hit the brakes all bets are off LOL....Then you can't steer LOL

 

[Beaumont67]

I learned sound winter driving skills (44 years ago, starting from the age of 16), in a RWD car.
- technique & slowing down / overcomes many weather elements & severe road conditions
- even driving on gravel roads, is a lost art (did it in my youth, @ 90 mph)
Been driving 4x4's, for 25 years now - live in a Canadian snow belt & still winter accident free.

#1 problem, many people DRIVE TO FAST, for road conditions.

#2 Unseen BLACK ICE is a added problem, due to no salt trucks on Hwy.

#3 when they correct their steering or do a brake slam / reactions aren't done in moderation or calmness.

#4 bad drivers still tailgate.

#5 not knowing how to drive comfortably, in the snow/tire ruts

2 decades ago, we often headed to FL on March break / seen lots of vehicles, in the ditch, in TN.
- while we just motored by, headed South

I leave tires at 35#, throughout the year / 4Low is good, if your plowing out a parking lot, with a front blade mounted.