should I get full-time 4WD in Alberta canada for winter driving/skiing trip

[Fareastplaza]

I am currently driving a "2010 5th Gen limited" with full-time 4WD. Now I am shopping around for a new 4Runner. Due to today's high price, I may start considering a basic SR5. But SR5 is part-time 4WD, I am not sure how difficult compare to a full-time 4WD.

I am living alberta Canada. Most winter time is minus 10 to minus 35 Celsius (14F to -31F) . But we are a sunny country, we have snowfall through the winter, but not every day. Actually, except for extreme cold, most days are dry after roads are plowed. I drive to the mountain 2 or more times a month during winter to take kids for skiing training. I am wondering if an SR5 part-time 4WD would be ok? What does it drive like? Will I constantly keep switching between 2H and 4H during winter driving? I am thinking, if ice packed on some section of the road, how can I predict it and switch to 4H in advance? If I cannot, a 2H system sounds less stable than Highlander, at least highlander has AWD, in winter.

Any first-hand 4runner part-time 4WD experience in Alberta or BC in Canada in the winter season with extremely low temperatures would be appreciated.

 

[Hungryhawk]

I have a 5th gen SR5. And yes 4H is not for dry roads, use 2H on dry. So yes, you will be switching if you actually judge you need the front axle engaged for safe driving.
The limited, like the 4th gen, has the middle differential allowing driving in 4WD on dry roads.
My prior SUV was all-wheel drive Honda Pilot. It did have a switch for locked in 4WD, but normally the computer detected wheel/tire slip and automatically applied power to appropriate wheel/tires for traction. It always drove like it was on rails no matter the surface.
I suggest another Limited.

 

[fourwd1]

Get a model with part-time or full-time AWD (part-time would be better, less wear on the system and better MPG)

 

[Refinery6271]

I don’t know what you’d run into on pavement that would require power to be diverted to your front wheels aside from particularly bad snow/ice. In my opinion, there’s near zero reason to ever engage 4hi on a roadway besides that. Even then, chains would likely be more effective as they will help you stop.

Also recognize that the vast, vast majority of vehicles on the road are 2WD and handle all of the elements on pavement fine.

I will admit that AWD is nice in the rain if you have a lead foot. You immediately feel the car brake and feed power to the wheels that need it. Still, there’s a reason why 2WD vehicles exist.

You don’t need full time, but there’s no denying that it does offer a bit of insurance if you lose a bit of traction on a slippery surface at speed.

 

[Lofter1979]

I don’t know what you’d run into on pavement that would require power to be diverted to your front wheels aside from particularly bad snow/ice. In my opinion, there’s near zero reason to ever engage 4hi on a roadway besides that. Even then racing limits, chains would likely be more effective as they will help you stop.

Also recognize that the vast, vast majority of vehicles on the road are 2WD and handle all of the elements on pavement fine.

I will admit that AWD is nice in the rain if you have a lead foot. You immediately feel the car brake and feed power to the wheels that need it. Still, there’s a reason why 2WD vehicles exist.

You don’t need full time, but there’s no denying that it does offer a bit of insurance if you lose a bit of traction on a slippery surface at speed.

You said well.
AWD offers extra traction on slippery roads, but for most paved conditions, 2WD is sufficient.

 

[4runnerArt]

Always get a 4x4 in Canada, no matter the province.

When it snows, you either get very religeous or have a lot of fun 4x4ing around other cars.

Don't cheap out. Out of 8 cars I owned over the years, only 4x4s provided the safety for a long life.

 

[TerryL]

Hi. This is a question I have pondered for a long time about the value of awd, and true 4wd. I also live in Alberta and drive from Calgary to my home west of Fernie 1-2 times per month year round. I had a 2008 sequioa limited and a 2007 rx 350. Sadly my sequioa was taken out recently by a person who missed a stop sign (420k km). My experience overall in winter driving was that without engaging 4wd there was less slippage and better road feel with the rx awd. 2 wd in the sequoia is great on dry roads until you get ice, snow, dry wet gravel and black ice on our roads. Just look at the hwy to Edmonton in a storm with blowing crosswind and snowdrifts at 50 kmh. It is really scarey because you can actually feel the loss of road contact in your front wheels and your rear end sliding out. The sequioa was good, but the Lexus was better. Better handling, better road contact and improved confidence in bad winter roads. I recently replaced both vehicles with a 2020 rx 450h and after some debate purchased a 2019 four runner limited with full time 4wd. I am not an expert just a fishing and outdoor enthusiast who has to take highways to get off road to my hiking/biking/skiing and fishing places. The limited 4wd full time is there all the time and is designed to not bind when turning and provides maybe not as good traction as the newer Lexus but brings me closer than 2wd. My thoughts were that unless the highway was completely covered in snow I would be in 2wd or full time 4wd as this is recommended for dry roads. Driving on dry roads in 4hi can damage the transfer case and is not recommended. At least in full time 4 wd where we have that awful Alberta mix of snow, black ice, ice and patches of dry at least full time 4wd may help me control a skid or loss of control rather than depending on my skills completely in 2wd. I have lost control in 2wd on ice and loose gravel and it is not nice. I would love for someone more skilled than I to chime in.

I would opt for the limited with full time 4wd. It helps to compensate at least for me, some driver error in bad road conditions. Other thought is that you have to manually switch to 4 wd when the roads look bad and because of variable conditions it may be too late by the time you recognize you should be in 4hi.

So far my 2019 limited has been great. Btw I have tried to donut and fish tail both on snow and ice in a parking lot and neither will allow me.

Please chime in. I am completely interested for driver comments on my experiences.

 

[TerryL]

Golly I am windy!!! Forgot to mention if you need 4hi or 4 Lo the limited will do that with traditional transfer case for off road exactly like the sr 5. Cheers.

 

[plummerg]

I have a 5th gen SR5. And yes 4H is not for dry roads, use 2H on dry. So yes, you will be switching if you actually judge you need the front axle engaged for safe driving.
The limited, like the 4th gen, has the middle differential allowing driving in 4WD on dry roads.
My prior SUV was all-wheel drive Honda Pilot. It did have a switch for locked in 4WD, but normally the computer detected wheel/tire slip and automatically applied power to appropriate wheel/tires for traction. It always drove like it was on rails no matter the surface.
I suggest another Limited.

Same here. On my third one and the ease of it all is pretty easy to get used to and nothing has ever "worn out". Just jump in and drive.

 

[MN_Pat]

I'm sure the OP has moved on but have some free time to post.

If drive regularly in a snowy area do you also do off roading that requires the elevated capability of the traditional 2hi/4hi part time system? do you really need a TRD flavor with the locking rear diff?

Here's the crux. When it snows it's not even on the roads. there's always mixed conditions. Alberta, BC, Minnesota, Colorado, take your pick. If you get the part time then you spend winter driving in rear wheel drive. That kinda sucks when you could have a Limited or some other with awd or auto 4wd systems.

How do I know? Used to have a Silverado and Tahoe before with auto 4wd. Perfect for pavement in winter. Wife has recently had two Subarus and an Audi. Again, perfect for pavement in winter. I wanted the extra cool TRD OR for the locking rear diff a couple days a year. Now I'm back to the 1970s driving a 2wd rear wheel drive on pavement all winter.

p.s. I did need all the goodies and the locking rear diff last weekend off road. then drive 3 hours back on mixed condition pavement

 

[MR203K24]

I havent driven in such cold climate, but on icy roads 2wd is pain. Gen 4 had full time awd, but gen 5 only on limited.