4WD question

I have a very steep driveway. It is a 10 foot rise (according tot he blue prints) from the bottom to the top. It is going to snow heavy tonight (for here) and 12 + inches are expected.

What I usually do I park the Corolla in the street as it would never make it up the driveway. The Tundra I park at the very top of the driveway hoping the 4WD will get me into the street.

My question is does it make a difference if I use the 4 WD low or 4 WD high? When I get into the street I can switch to 2 WD or continue to use 4WD high to get around.

My other concern is the truck came with Bridgestone Dueler's. I had them on the Ridgeline years ago. They suck (IMHO) compared to the Michelins.

 

4 Hi will be fine to go up/down your driveway. You should not need 4 Lo. Make sure you switch back to 2 hi as soon as you can. Per the manual 4Hi/4Lo should never be used on dry pavement.

 

12 plus inches of snow! I doubt its just on his driveway.

Have you thought about clearing snow before you start moving down your awesome 10 foot slide?

 

I guess I wasn't clear. After the snow I use my blower (for 12 inches) and clear snow around the truck, then pull it out and finish the job. So yes, it is kind of clean and do not try to power through it.

 

Your driveway slopes up from your house to the street?

 

I'm lost. But yes, you can switch between 4HI and 4LO and your truck should be able to handle the snow.

But can confirm, the stock BFG Dueler's suck in the snow.

 

The garage door is the low point. I rises up to the street. Which is why I pull the truck up. The length of the driveway is about 50 feet.

 

When I had the Ridgeline, there was no comparison to the Michelin LTX M/S tires and the Bridgestone Duelers.

The truck came with Michelin LTX M/S. The truck went through everything and even on areas when there was a slope, if you locked the hubs, the Ridgeline made it thorough. Then when my wife was getting the truck inspected they recommended Bridgestone Duelers. Big difference. On a slant, the tires would spin in the snow. When they finally wore out, I went back to Michelin LTX M/S.

The tread pattern looks the same on my new Tundra. So I am concerned. In the dry, they are fine. Snow is a totally different issue. YMMV.

 

I have a similar situation where my driveway slopes down from the street, and it sounds similar to the steepness and length of your driveway. Anywho I have been here four years and have had no issue with the Tundra getting out of the garage and up the driveway, although I have had to use 4Lo once in deep snow. Just see how it does, if its not getting out of the driveway with 4H, stop, put engine in neutral and change to 4 Lo. You should be able to power through it!

I wanted to add I had a previous Tundra with the stock Bridgestones and that did ok. My new truck has the Michelins thankfully, so I expect it will do better!

We are getting hit with the same snow storm tonight, hopefully we both have good luck!

-T

 

If only one could combine two elements to form an anti-icing compound... I noticed that Sodium and Chlorine have the appropriate valences.

@Saltyhero13 ... step forward and lend your expertise!

 

It’s not so much the snow but the ice underneath. 4wd might help you go, but doesn’t do much for stopping. It’s a heavy truck so when you are going down the driveway (sounds like down is towards the garage) be prepared to slide a little.

 

Makes sense now. In that scenario, I don't anticipate a difference between 4Hi and 4Lo. As @trucksareforgirls2 noted, you have to be stopped to shift into 4Lo anyway.

 

I have a flat driveway, but when we got 22+ inches of snow I was very happy to have winter tires. With the bridgestone duelers I couldn't make it out of the driveway with <1" without 4wd.

 

Might not be a bad idea to add a little weight in the truck bed. I usually keep around 400lbs in the bed all winter

 

Interesting.....Then my next question is from park, what is the difference between 4WD high and 4WD low?

 

I don't know the mechanics of it all, but my understanding is that 4 Lo should only be used when you are really stuck, and 4 hi isn't getting you out. It can also only be used under a certain speed. Some other folks may be able to give you the finer details, but that's the basics.

I had to get going to work one morning and it had been snowing like crazy for 12 hours and was continuing for several more, and I just didn't have time to snow blow. The snow was about 18 inches maybe even more, and I just tried to plow through it (figuratively speaking) and up the hill. I got stuck of course and tried a few times to keep it in 4 high and it just wasn't budging. Put it in 4 Lo and within a couple minutes I was on my way to work...



-T

 

4WD high has a crawl ratio a little over 14.
4WD low makes your crawl ratio 37.5.

Crawl ratio = 1st gear ratio * t-case ratio * axle ratio. Higher number = more torque at the wheel.

 

I am actually a bit confused/concerned by what is in the owners manual. I recently bought a new 2021 1794Tundra. The manual insinuates that I should avoid driving in 4H or 4Lo on hard dry pavement. However the manual also states that I should drive the Tundra in 4H at least 10 miles per month in 4H to keep those parts lubricated. How can I do so and avoid hard dry pavement as I don't live near a beach, etc.?

 

I rarely use the the 4x modes, but what if one is in 2x in this scenerio? There s no way to get it into either 4x mode at a stop is there?

 

There's no harm in driving in 4Hi on dry pavement as long as you keep going relatively straight. The way I understand it is the reason for that statement is because the 4wd system has a locked center differential which will make the drivetrain bind up if you try to turn on hard dry pavement. Some vehicles (including my 4th gen 4R and some land cruiser models) have an electronically controlled center diff that lets you select to lock or unlock it. A very rudimentary explanation is that center diff unlocked makes the vehicle behave more like a AWD system and when the center diff is locked the vehicle behaves like a 4wd system and will bind up in certain situations. All that being said, I don't know anybody who actually drives 10 miles a month in 4wd to lubricate the system. I know I don't, and I have four 4x4 Toyotas.

 

plus the added engine/transmission rpm in 4Lo will reduce torque converter slip, keep the engine fan spinning faster, and lower engine and transmission temps. Good for treks in the rough

 

So, tires are important. More torque will be useless if the coefficient of friction is limited due to tires. Or am I wrong?

 

I find a long straight road. When stopped I put it in 4 WD. Then travel in a straight line.

 

Thanks!

 

Can't generally shift from 2Hi to 4Hi while stopped. I generally do it after turning onto a straight road while I'm getting up to speed.

 

I drive in a lot of deep snow on and off pavement. I’ve only needed 4lo once and it sure wasn’t in a driveway.

 

You’re not wrong. The other point worth mentioning is all the traction control nannies turn off when you engage 4 low. Your situation will determine whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing. I can see where you wouldn’t want traction control to cut your power when your trying to get through the nasty stuff however if it’s like a skating rink you probably want traction control to help.

I live in the desert so I’m the last person to say how one should drive in ice and snow.

 

I live in Winter, Snow and Ice for at least 6 months a year and often -20 to -30. I've only used it once and that was to test it. Maybe when I get my new wheels in I'll play around a bit more in the deep snow.

 

Wood chips and ash is the answer my friend! The application is very specific. Douse this construct with accelerant and ignite as demonstrated below. Once the process is done three things will be accomplished:

1. The G*Ds will be appeased as the light will reach the high heavens!
   
2. the heat will have melted the remaining ice and snow leaving a bed of ash in its wake
3. ash is known to fertilize the soil, the undergrowth sprung from this patch will provide excellent traction, wood chips provide traction and absorb moisture
   
4. the resulting crater will have leveled out this problematic driveway of yours channeling excess water away from the entrance to you home

If these results don't satisfy you I offer one last benefit: Snow will have learned to never frakk with you ever again!

Godspeed Tundrists and Tundristas!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbisRaEfsOY

 

Couple dumb rednecks which don't have enough sense to use kerosene...Lol