T4R clicking/dash on snow

[leo]

I have a 2008 T4R, so it's my second winter with it. I don't remember this happening last year, but it happens all the time this year - is it normal or do I have a problem?

When I'm on snow, say for example pulling out of the driveway and once on the street having just shifted into drive and only initially attempting to move from a stop to going forward, I'll get a clicking sound coming from behind the dash, while the yellow icon goes lit (slip or differential? the icon is the four wheels, turned on axles type icon), and the wheels will really slip/spin.

I'd swear that last year, except for super slippery conditions which were not always the case in just normal snow cover, this wouldn't happen... that the all wheel drive (or computer equivalent) would handle it much better, and I wouldn't slip... and there would never be this clicking (relay in the dash?) or yellow light icon lighting so frequently. This year, it seems to happen every time.

A friend says I need to manually put it in H4 all the time in snow - but I know that's not needed, I should be able (and want) to rely on the computer/truck to know how to handle this basic driving situation, I think?

Thanks for the advice!

 

[camdz]

It sounds to me like you are driving the 4runner in RWD mode? It will definitly have far less traction this way, and the clicking noise you hear is normal. This is your VSC/traction control doing its thing.

If you manually put it in H4, your wheels will spin less (4 wheel drive), you will have more control of the car, and there will be less noise coming from the dash.

Edit- Maybe its happening more this year because your tires have worn down since last year?

 

[leo]

Yes, I'm driving in RWD/H2 mode. sure, I could manually change it to H4, is that recommended, is that what most winter weather drivers do with their T4R's -- or do most let the truck do the decisioning and use the H4 setting whenever it's snowy roads (not blizzard, just normal winter snowy)?

No, I don't think it's the tires, I only put about 6k miles since last winter, only a total of about 7-8k miles on it now.

 

[sheik]

The amount of intervention will obviously vary depending on how slippery it is.

I run mine in 2WD most of the time unless I am really having a tough time getting going or know I'll be in situations where I may need to get moving (in town).

I do not think full time 4WD is necessary in the winter since usually the biggest problem is stopping, not starting. That's not to say that having it in 4WD doesn't have its advantages once you are moving (less tendency to fish tail if you hit a slick section for example).

If I notice traction control kicking in a lot I will just put it into 4WD and drive that way because there have been times that the system has limited my acceleration so much in 2WD mode that I have nearly been t-boned. I try to keep my fuel economy up so I leave it in 2WD unless conditions warrant 4WD.

Another thing I've noticed in mine, is that when I start it up the engine revs slightly higher for 10-15 seconds before settling down to its normal RPM. Now, if I start it, and immediately throw it into Drive, those extra RPM's put extra power to the wheels and the situation you describe may happen if it is slippery enough. Could this be whats happening to you?

Final thought- The stock tires that come on these suck in the snow and I personally do not think your situation is abnormal. You're on snow with a rear wheel drive vehicle with OEM tires that suck in the snow- there will be slip. Even 6K of wear could theoretically change how good of traction you get, especially if there are other issues present (not having your tires rotated, misalignment, etc). Can you tell I'm not a fan of the stock tires?