Noob question regarding using 4hi on snowy/icy parking

Hi guys I am new to both 4Runner and 4WD. I have done some homework and know that I am not supposed to make tight turns in 4WD on dry pavement and I never do. But now I find myself using 4hi getting in and out of very snowy/slippery parallel parking spots which requires relatively tight turns in short distance, going both forward and backward. Otherwise the truck would just get stuck with only 2WD. The truck is not acting weird when I did so, it just gets in the spot very easily, and I switch it back to 2WD right away.

Is this bad for the truck? I wish I could just find better spots where I dont need 4wd but sometimes I dont have a choice. It is often "park here or go home" kind of situation. Thank you very much in advance for answering my question, I tried to look for threads about this but for some reason I could not find one.

 

As long as you are in a situation that’s allows the front tires to slip under load you are fine. Sounds like you are in that very situation as described.

 

The fact that it's easily going back into 2WD means you're likely not binding the drivetrain. I think you're good.

I'd only start to worry if you can feel binding (e.g. turning sharply while moving becomes difficult), and/or if it becomes difficult to get back into 2WD (e.g. the green icon on the dashboard blinks and you hear the buzzer). If there's slight binding, you'd also hear a hard clunk from under your feet when it goes back into 2WD.

 

If it's slippery enough your tires are spinning, it's not going to hurt it to be in 4WD.If you get some decent tires and keep some weight in the back along with a full tank of gas. That will help some in 2WD.
Also, if you turn off traction control a lot of times it will take right off.I have Toyo AT/3 and was surprised how well it does in the snow in 2WD with no weight in the back and a lot of weight on the front.Winch,bumper and aftermarket skids.

 

Yeah. You’d feel the front end start to bind up if you don’t need to be in 4wd. Just take off slow when turning. You can’t miss the sensation that something isn’t right if it starts to bind as long as you are moving slow.

 

I really appreciate all the quick responses! All of these are really helpful. I will actually try to turn off traction control in 2WD next time and see if it helps. I always try to park in 2wd and only switch to 4wd when I get stuck halfway on slippery snow. Thank you all very much!

 

Just make sure your rear tires aren’t actively spinning (as in losing traction) when you switch into 4wd. Could hurt the drivetrain.

 

Noted. Thank you!