Transfer case bind almost caused an accident

[downshift]

I was in a tight parking lot covered with packed snow and ice, or really snow that had partially melted during the day and froze at night. I was in 4Hi, which locks the transfer 50/50 front/rear. I had to use full steering lock to squeeze into a tight space. The outside front tire, unable to rotate, lost traction. I started understeering into the parked car on that side. Luckily, VSC kicked in, braked the inside rear wheel, and saved me. I also hit the brakes, a fraction of a second after VSC kicked in. I stopped just inches from the other car.

Speed wasn’t a factor, I was just creeping along trying to squeeze into a tight parking space. Brake induced lockup wasn’t an issue either, I wasn’t on the brakes until after the tire locked up.

Is there anything I could have done differently in this situation? Gone back to 2WD? Made a multi-point turn (a 3 point turn would still require full lock, I would have needed a 7 or 9 point turn)? Used 4Lo, crawl control and A-Trac?

How often does transfer case induced bind cause issues like this? Searches only return bind issues on dry pavement, that’s not the case here. I’ve never seen a post about anyone saying “bind induced understeer caused me to run off the road into a ditch.” I’m a bit worried about this, am I worrying needlessly?

 

[e60ral]

it had enough traction to bind up and cause understeer and increase your turning radius. just drive slow and do a multi-point turn or change into 2wd

 

[MossJenks]

Sounds to me like you were just going too fast and hit a slick spot. If you're going fast enough for VSC to kick in then hit the brakes then you're not "crawling" in my book.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I am trying to figure out where it is still snowing this time of year. It has been in the 100's here. Sounds like you need a Limited with full time 4x4.

 

[downshift]

Sounds to me like you were just going too fast and hit a slick spot. If you're going fast enough for VSC to kick in then hit the brakes then you're not "crawling" in my book.

I assure you I wasn't going more than 1 or 2 MPH. I mean, how fast can you go when you are pulling into a tight parking spot at full steering lock with cars on either side?

I did a Google search for any reference to a minimum speed for VSC to kick in. I didn't find anything official from Toyota, just opinions. They range from no minimum to 5 to 10 or even 15MPH. There is no way I was going 5MPH, let alone 10 or 15.

How often do you find yourself on an unintended path due to transfer case induced bind?

 

[wfo9]

Go to 2wd. It's the only way to make full lock turns and not push the front wheels some. The other option is point turns.

 

[4FL]

One thing I learned during my years of off-roading is that no matter how slick you think it is, prepare for a little binding type action if making a sharp turn with the 4x4 engaged.

Best bet is to do a multi point turn.

 

[StuB]

Yup, multi-point turns.

But my question is, where the heck are you right now!? I'm in Oregon sitting on my patio reading this at 10:39pm in shorts and a Hawaiian shirt.....

 

[downshift]

Yup, multi-point turns.

But my question is, where the heck are you right now!? I'm in Oregon sitting on my patio reading this at 10:39pm in shorts and a Hawaiian shirt.....

Sounds like multi-point turns are the solution, or maybe 2wd, depending on the situation. Sometimes 2wd wouldn't be wise...

This was last winter. I had kinda forgotten about this incident until recently, when it just popped back in my head for some reason. Perhaps something I read here triggered the memory.

 

[M22]

I cant understand why 4wd would be needed to pull into a parking spot at 1-2mph?

 

[T4R2014]

Slow down there, speed racer.

 

[aelarson]

But actually...where are you located with snow?