To slip or not ?

[Fred MaN]

I was thinking about this last night with winter on it's way.

If in deep snow and the Track/control (I forget what it's called on my yota) keeps kicking in is it better to ingage the center diff lock on the dash of my "06" sport if lets say one was in like a foot of snow? It can't be good if the Track/control keeps kicking in all the time right?

When you push the center dif lock does the FWD go from lets say 60/40 front to rear split to a 50/50 split??

No that's 40/60 front to rear (my bad)

 

[CVsGX470]

I was thinking about this last night with winter on it's way.

If in deep snow and the Track/control (I forget what it's called on my yota) keeps kicking in is it better to ingage the center diff lock on the dash of my "06" sport if lets say one was in like a foot of snow? It can't be good if the Track/control keeps kicking in all the time right?

When you push the center dif lock does the FWD go from lets say 60/40 front to rear split to a 50/50 split??

No that's 40/60 front to rear (my bad)

No, you do NOT want to lock your diff in normal winter conditions. The VSC helps you keep straight. Locking the diff will turn this function off. You only want to lock the diff if you are TRUELY doing offroad stuff like climbing rocks or you are in 6 inches of snow or mud. Most of your 'normal' driving individuals will never have a need for the diff lock.

CV

 

[boston_kevin]

I have to agree with CVsGX470... When you lock the center diff, you disengage the VSC which can make you lose control in the snow and ice faster as you don't have the wheel sensors doing their job to detect slippage before you can feel it. The center diff will lock into an approximate 50/50, but on snow this can also get you into trouble if you are going fast.

Do you still have the Dunlops? I know I get a lot more slippage out of them on wet and snowy roads than other people with the same vehicle with better tires.

 

[Fred MaN]

I have to agree with CVsGX470... When you lock the center diff, you disengage the VSC which can make you lose control in the snow and ice faster as you don't have the wheel sensors doing their job to detect slippage before you can feel it. The center diff will lock into an approximate 50/50, but on snow this can also get you into trouble if you are going fast.

Do you still have the Dunlops? I know I get a lot more slippage out of them on wet and snowy roads than other people with the same vehicle with better tires.

I put the Dunflops in the basement for the winter and I purchased 4 Mastercraft Courser AT tires for winter. I had tried them on my Dodge and they work great in the snow.

One look at the Dunflops and I did not want to chance it in the snow with the driving I do. (30 to 40K per year rain sun or snow)

 

[Boston_Runner]

The 4 runner should handle a foot of snow with no problem.

 

[Kmvreter]

The 4 runner should handle a foot of snow with no problem.

True when outfitted with an appropriate tire.
My Dunflops can't handle any wet under power without engaging the VSC.

You can engage the center diff lock in snow if you want. Just realize that the driving characteristics will change. You will have full control without elctronic nannies for traction (just like older mechanical 4x4) but you will also have different handling on the braking (you will basically be trying to stop a tobogan) so the ABS may kick in more.

 

[Koz]

During straight line driving 40 percent of the torque goes to the front axle, 60 to the rear. When needed (without the center locked), the Torsen diff will send up to 71 percent of the torque to the rear if the front axle slips, or up to 53 percent to the front if the rear slips. If you lock the center diff you get a 50/50 split. Having the advantage of torque being sent to the diff that needs it is better for driving in the snow. You also have the VSC to keep you going in the right direction!

Koz

 

[Fred MaN]

During straight line driving 40 percent of the torque goes to the front axle, 60 to the rear. When needed (without the center locked), the Torsen diff will send up to 71 percent of the torque to the rear if the front axle slips, or up to 53 percent to the front if the rear slips. If you lock the center diff you get a 50/50 split. Having the advantage of torque being sent to the diff that needs it is better for driving in the snow. You also have the VSC to keep you going in the right direction!

Koz

Koz ... Why would you ever want to lock the center dif I would think even in sand or mud it would be better to have it unlocked and let the 4runner figure out where it wants to send the power??

 

[jacal]

lock the diff if you get STUCK in the snow...normal driving, leave it unlocked.

Sometimes you need a little wheelspin, and locking the diff (disabling vsc) lets that happen.

J

 

[Falls]

One of the things I enjoy about the 4R is that I can just haul ass in rain and snow ( I have V8 FT 4x4).
I do lock the center diff. when playing/driving ect in a snow storm ( deep snow) otherwise I leave it unlocked.

I must admit I'm from the old schooland do not like the electronic stuff, but must admit it does do its job and keep you on the straight. I feel that I'm not incontrol of my vehicle with all the electronic stuff flashing , beeping , brake pulsating ect....I dont like that. I wish I had the option to turn all of these on/off at my descretion.

 

[Koz]

Koz ... Why would you ever want to lock the center dif I would think even in sand or mud it would be better to have it unlocked and let the 4runner figure out where it wants to send the power??

The center lock is for off-roading or if you get stuck. For that purpose you do not want the VSC to cut the throttle. When you are off-road or stuck the torque is transferred after slipping, but by then the VSC also has kicked in and has taken over. This is where people get annoyed with the nannies and say they suck. When driving in the snow the biggest problem is losing the rear of the vehicle. Of course when you

 

[Fred MaN]

Thanks for all the advice on the subject from everyone.

 

[Falls]

I totally disagree , if I'm driving on deep snow I lock the diff. Saying that its only for when you get stuck or off road is BS. I use it on the road all the time if driving in a snow storm. I personally like that I control the vehicle. Getting on the throttle can get you out of just as many jams a brakes can. I've had a new 4x4 vechicle every 3 years for the last 30 years and drive in bad snow conditions and have never had a problem...ever without all these little fricken gadgets.

You can use the center diff lock whenever you want , just not on dry pavement or wet pavement.

IMO these are nice safety features and have a good purpose , but are designed for people who cannot drive in adverse conditions on their own. For petes sake people get through in a FWD car 90% of the time without a problem

You need to experiment on your own and find out whats right for your driving style. If I was driving on lt.snow covered roads with icey spots then I would leave it unlocked , but thats the only time.

When I drive home from work in a snow storm and get out into the country I ALWAYS see these hi-tech 4x4 in the ditch or off the road or in an accident....why .....because many people have no idea in todays yuppie world of 4x4's how to properly drive them and rely on such things were talking about here and think they have a 4x4 and can just drive like a bat out of hell and end up ditchen. When I end up ditchen its because I'm playing around in the snow doing illegal things I should'nt be doing.

The biggest thing if having the diff. locked is always making sure your tires basically can slide and give during cornering. Hence a good deep snow storm, NOT...NOT on dry pavement or wet roads . Anyone that knows how 4x4s work will tell you the exacy same thing.

 

[Koz]

I totally disagree , if I'm driving on deep snow I lock the diff. Saying that its only for when you get stuck or off road is BS. I use it on the road all the time if driving in a snow storm. I personally like that I control the vehicle. Getting on the throttle can get you out of just as many jams a brakes can. I've had a new 4x4 vechicle every 3 years for the last 30 years and drive in bad snow conditions and have never had a problem...ever without all these little fricken gadgets.

You can use the center diff lock whenever you want , just not on dry pavement or wet pavement.

IMO these are nice safety features and have a good purpose , but are designed for people who cannot drive in adverse conditions on their own. For petes sake people get through in a FWD car 90% of the time without a problem

You need to experiment on your own and find out whats right for your driving style. If I was driving on lt.snow covered roads with icey spots then I would leave it unlocked , but thats the only time.

When I drive home from work in a snow storm and get out into the country I ALWAYS see these hi-tech 4x4 in the ditch or off the road or in an accident....why .....because many people have no idea in todays yuppie world of 4x4's how to properly drive them and rely on such things were talking about here and think they have a 4x4 and can just drive like a bat out of hell and end up ditchen. When I end up ditchen its because I'm playing around in the snow doing illegal things I should'nt be doing.

The biggest thing if having the diff. locked is always making sure your tires basically can slide and give during cornering. Hence a good deep snow storm, NOT...NOT on dry pavement or wet roads . Anyone that knows how 4x4s work will tell you the exacy same thing.

I never said you can't drive in snow with the center diff locked but leaving it unlocked gives you two advantages; the torque is directed to the axle that has the most traction and you have the protection of the VSC. You have NEVER lost control of a vehicle in snow. You have never had the rear come around on you, ever. PLEASE! I hate to break it to you but it is IMPOSSIBLE for anyone to react BEFORE the vehicle loses control and it is impossible for anyone to control 1 wheel's brakes.

Koz