First time tomorrow driving in snow since I traded my Rubicon

Hi everyone! I'm so nervous for early tomorrow morning. It is to snow all night and tomorrow here in PA and I have to go down a mountain to get to work in the dark. I just traded my 2020 Rubicon for a 4Runner Off Road. How do they do going down curvy mountains? Do I put it in 4L or 4H and put it in 1st gear. My Jeep never let me down. I'm petrified.

 

I think your 4Runner will do better than the Rubicon depending on the tires you have. Are these improved roads like pavement or good dirt? If so, you are very unlikely going to want to use low range.

 

It is a paved road. I have the factory given tires, 1 month old.

 

You should be fine. Just take it slow and easy at least until you see/feel how it handles in those conditions.

 

The worst thing about driving in snow is other people. Too many of them can't be trusted not to do stupid things.

 

Thank you Rob..... I'll be going really slow. Appreciate the support. Don't want to slide down the mountain first time in snow. As long as other people stay away from me.

 

Hey OP @stacyred4runner
Welcome here, you're in the right here for support, for sure. And goodluck tmro
I gather you're running Highway Terrain Bridgestone's, or similar. I mean I'd recommend saving for winter rated tires. But if it doesn't get too hairy, I think you might be surprised how good the 4R handles the snow mountain road. You got this

 

I'm going to 2nd & 3rd what everyone has said so far.

You'll be fine as long as:

1) You have the proper tires. Get aftermarket tires like Falken's or BFGoodrich, the OEM's are a street tire. You'll get no snow traction at all.
2) Stay in 4Hi for max traction on bendy roads.
3) Be a defensive driver. There are a lot of bad drivers out there, and when you add bad weather....they become total morons.

 

Just drive it with the same caution and skill you used in the Rubicon, no problem.

 

Asking you guys who might know - is there a MTS selection that is helpful in snow? Or just go with 4HI?

 

I had 2018 TRD OR W/OEM tire & NEVER had any trouble with them. Driving on NE pa NE Ext during really decent amount of snow during the storm 50mph in 4x4hi. No one one was around or I wouldn't been doing that speed . Bunch of steep hills on PA 663 no issues. Other snow or rain not a problem,
Use the "engine braking" ie. 4th-3rd-2nd-1st going down steep hills vs brakes , less chance of sliding.

 

If you are going down, I’d stay in 2hi. It’ll corner better. 4hi generates more accelerative traction but doesn’t handle as well - the front end wants to push off-throttle and rear end wants to drift on-throttle. Really fun, tbh, but 2hi is more confidence inspiring if you don’t need the traction uphill. You’ll know when you need 4wd because the traction control will kick in on-throttle. Pull that lever and away you go.

 

It'll work pretty much the same way as your Jeep. 4hi and use whatever low gear you need to get engine braking.

4hi gives better wheel braking than 2WD on slippery surfaces.

 

Silly me I didn't know Al Gore invented the interweb that many years ago

 

Today was the first time I drove a decent bit of snow with my 4runner and damn. I'm soo glad I bought these tires(goodyear terriroty mt). It did not slip once. I was in 4hi.

My jeep jku had falken atw3 and ill say my 4runner is much better in the snow.

 

Skipping over the forum part: I've thought about this as well, where my dad always had RWD cars growing up and when he lived up north, and never had any problems with snow.

Then I realized that all season tires weren't common back then, and everyone actually swapped out for winter tires in the winter (go figure). So not exactly a fair comparison.

To the OP: you're coming from one traditional 4x4 to another, don't overthink it, just treat it the same. Like others (and I, now) have said, your tires will be thr biggest factor.

I actually had great luck with my stock Dunlops with fresh snow, but not packed snow.

 

Welcome. As others have pointed out, your limitations aren’t from what the 4Runner can do but more based on the grip of your tires. Take it slow and easy.

 

An even bigger factor than tires is what's in your head. Warning, old guy truth incoming.......I grew up in the 70's when 4wd vehicles were rare compared to now. I saw a lot more crappy tires back then too and the snow tires that people used back then that could afford them, were shit compared to even basic tires today.

My dad and I did many trips pulling a camper behind a 4 door Buick Centurian. That thing went down many two trackers in the U.P.'s Kewenaw Peninsula even fording small creeks. On a two month trip it went out to Montana on two tracks again followed by the same in Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire.

That giant car was always used in the Michigan winters like everyone else in their rear wheel drive boats. The world somehow managed to get where they were going even in the least optimal vehicles with terrible tires. Today we have huge advantage of vehicles and tires that are far more capable than any time in history.

 

As soon as there is an inch of snow, I hear the traction control constantly kick on … and I drive like a grandpa (try to sip the fuel). I end up throwing into 4H until I hit solid pavement. I get nervous about being in 4H and having to do too tight a turn. In 4H it tracks pretty good indeed, granted using Toyo AT3s C load 285/70/17s. Fun.

 

I drove home from NH in a snow/ice storm yesterday after trading in my Raptor. I never once felt the 4Runner was underperforming the raptor in the conditions on the road, and the braking on the 4R was better than the much heavier truck with K02s. Sure, the Raptor feels more "stable" with 35s and a super wide wheelbase, but the 4R was excellent, and in that kind of snow/ice, it was certainly more confidence inspiring than my JLUR (although 35 Duratracs are pretty damn awesome).

 

Checking in from Colorado. you’ll be fine

 

This truck doesn't care, 6% grade through Mount Hood. You will not miss your Ruby's snow driving, this truck is equally good in snow.

 

Even on stock tires too! Did 2 winter on them no issues

 

I agree. Follow my "Rule of Twos": Drive HALF as Fast, break TWICE as soon and TWICE as far. You'll find that, in general, the 4Runner will have less of a tendency to "swap ends". Don't let others push you into exceeding YOUR comfort zone! If not driving off-road, don't go for a real heavy-duty off-road tire; go for something moderate. Stock tires are "OK" for snow but lousy on ice. Four-high until you get used to it won't hurt it and you should have some added options (Trac-assist, etc.)

We drove down the east side of the Cascades and Sierras in 4WD from just south of Bend, OR to Bridgeport, CA with no problems (except OTHER drivers) except for one short (~1 mile) of whiteout.

 

For snow in the city, sure. But not on the snowy trail.

 

She might be mad that you're calling her a him lol.

 

I have studded winter tires. This beast will go anywhere!

 

I need those lol

 

Growing up as a child, studded snow tires were common. People would run those all winter, and on pavement you could hear them coming a block or two away.

 

I have always been an AT guy but they are a game changer.