I drove my 96 and 99 4WD's extensively in the snow as I have a part time job at a ski resort. I have probably driven over 15,000 miles in the last 5 years in 4runners on snow.

I now have an 03 V8 with AWD, VSC, etc etc.

From experience, when conditions get really slick, are you folks locking the center diff (which overides the VSC) ?

That is how I am used to driving at slow/moderate speeds i the snow...

We have around 4-6 on the ground today so I will go experiment some this morning with and without VSC on the steep hill that access's my sub division.

I would welcome your thoughts/experience

P.S. I sould set up a webcam ! The road outside my hous is 2/3 up a steep snowy road....some of the chit I am seeing this morning is priceless :grin:

6000 RPM, DROP CLUTCH AND SLIDE BABY, SLIDE



David

 

Unless the snow is rediculously deep then just use the AWD mode especially in slick conditions.

 

Thanks...

I will reort back in an hour or so

 

OK,

Just played around a little..

AWD seems very capable..difficult to tell what VSC is doing.

Down hill assist was more violent and much more noisy than I imagined.

Overall, very impressed, no real drama, just solid traction

David

 

About the only thing I noticed is that you lose steering control (more plowing) with the diff lock engaged on slick surfaces. Leaving it in plain ol AWD seems to work best.

Not exactly sure what the VSC is doing for me... aside from the light coming on when the wheels start to spin (accompanied by a beep if there's any horizontal sliding) it doesn't seem to do much.

 

I've had the VSC save me one night while traveling too fast in AWD during a group run. VSC corrected the slide and kept me away from the bank. I only lock the diff when plowing fresh snow.
I'm with you on the downhill assist. I only use it when descending loose material. It seems to work well then. Works best to calm the wife when she is driving.

 

After around 25 miles in mixed conditions including hard pack, deep snow and slop, I think AWD will work out fine.

I was very impressed with the ability to just turn 90* left out of my drive straight onto a "polished and buffed" hard pack (the street outside my house has a steep grade and idiot drivers to buff it ) and just drive slowly up the hill with no drama.

VSC was working when I turned off the plowed sections into deeper or unplpowed slop , I could feel it and see the light.

However, still a bit bummed I could not get a good ole fashion elocker in back.

All good for now... lets just see if I can get another job and get me some Revos.

David

 

I only lock my center diff when im on a fresh trail or deep snow and I dont want the vsc cutting my power. Also, I like to turn it on when im doing donuts in the snow. hehehe 4runner likes to do donuts.