2021 Limited Winter driving which mode

So, got a questions regarding the 4x4 modes in 2021 Limited. I have the knob with H4F, H4L and L4L. Read through the manual and somewhat understand the various modes.
We recently had a decent winter blizzard and it was my first time in the 4 Runner in winter driving conditions since I purchased it in August. My previous vehicle was Acura TL with v6 SH-AWD with manual transmission it was like on rails in snow, very controllable, very precise in handling. I had good winter tires on the Acura and have good winter tires on the 4 Runner.

However with the 4 Runner the driving in H4F at first was not that great, I managed but was not impressed, not very confident, truck was sliding all over the road, turns were rough as well. Then I switched to H4L and it seemed to be much, much better, felt more stable and less wondering all over the road.
Just wondering if that makes sense on slippery roads covered with snow and ice? I though it was recommended to be in the H4F but the truck was considerably better in the H4L.

 

I prefer to drive in H4F as its much easier for me on turns. I have 3PMSF rated tires so may be that's why I have more control. I also have relatively wider tires (285/70R17) that might also help me to stay on top of snow than keep digging in to.

I haven't used H4L unless I have like feet of snow on my neighborhood road so all tires have equal power and not dig in. On regular roads I switch back to H4F.

Again this is just my personal preference.


Edit -
Here's a pic from Dec 2021 where I was still in H4F.

 

You generally use low to get out of a stuck situation and not for general driving.

 

I have 285 as well, Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 for SUV. You prefer H4F, did you try H4L on a regular road?

 

Good to know, I kind of left it in H4L for my trip home as it was handling much better. Hopefully didn't break anything.

 

1) Yes I have used H4L just to exercise the center diff. When I drive my TRD in winter conditions its in 4H so its like H4L.

2) Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 got 285s? If possible can I see a pic of the tire where I can see the tire size on your 4Runner Limited? Never seen in that size. Thank you.

 

https://aguyagirlandatrail.com/2022/12/07/winter-driving-with-4wd/

 

We do road trips through Montana, Wyoming, the Dakotas, Idaho, Ohio, Illinois, basically all the northern states in the winter with fresh snow, ice, hard pack, etc and almost always leave it in H4F. Both of ours drive fine in those conditions. Both have different 3PMSF tires. Only time I’ve needed to lock the center diff in normal winter driving, I actually went to L4L and used ATRAC to get back up our driveway and into the garage. It was about 18” of fresh snow on a fairly steep incline and I really didn’t want to shovel it

 

This is great article and according to it, I should have stayed in H4F even though for me the H4L seems better and more planted.

The paragraph below however is a bit over my head. So if I put it in H4L it will lock the front an rear together but will still allow the wheels on same axles to travel at different speeds, meaning no binding?

..."
Our 5th generation 4Runner Limited, equipt with a Full Time 4WD system, is the best of both worlds. With a torsion center differential in the transfer case, it operates very similarly to an AWD system in that it allows all 4 wheels to be driven while letting them move at different speeds. The difference is that with Full Time 4WD the center differential in the transfer case can still be locked in 2 different gear ratios. This gives it all the same functionality as a traditional 4WD with a 2-speed transfer case. AWD has all 4 wheels driven but independent all the time. **That is a generalization about AWD for the sake of simplicity, there are a ton of variations out there** 4WD has RWD, locked 4Hi, and locked 4Lo. Full Time 4WD has AWD, locked 4Hi, and locked 4Lo.
"...

 

H4F until you get into some deep snow then H4L. It's full time 4wd so no need to really do anything in most situations.

 

It means you will absolutely have binding and you’re going to cause a wheel to lose traction every time you turn or the road bends. H4F will be more planted, H4L will help with acceleration.

 

I stand corrected, it is 275. I was looking for 285 but got a great deal on the Michelin's so went with 275's.

 

Got it. It probably felt better as I was correcting with power. I guess next winter blizzard will be H4F all they way. Will need to get used to the handling.

 

I never had an issue driving in snow and ice when I had my 2016 limited in H4F. However, I did run a dedicated snow tire and wheel combo. The only time I put it in H4L was to get the center lock engaged once a month.

Tire make a larger impact in winter driving than 4WD and is the most overlooked solution.

 

Do you have a better pic of the tire?