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Very unstable with the lease bit of Ice on the road.

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by Barndog, Jan 19, 2019.

  1. Jan 19, 2019 at 1:23 PM
    #1
    Barndog

    Barndog [OP] New Member

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    I have driven my 2017 4Runner in snow a few times here in Colorado but not so much in icy conditions. Last night while driving on patchy ice and partial wet/dry roads, (not icy enough for 4WD),I hit a patch of ice while only going 25 - 30 MPH and just about lost it completely. Tagging onto previous posts, anybody else experience this level of instability? I'll probably try switching to 4wd next time as long as the roads are wet. It was pretty hair raising.
     
  2. Jan 19, 2019 at 1:39 PM
    #2
    alittleoff

    alittleoff New Member

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    The simple answer is, adjust to driving conditions.
     
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  3. Jan 19, 2019 at 1:53 PM
    #3
    Barndog

    Barndog [OP] New Member

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    Got it. I was just a little surprised only going 25-30 MPH.
    Thanks!
     
  4. Jan 19, 2019 at 2:16 PM
    #4
    Kbainter

    Kbainter New Member

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    If you are in RWD, it'll act like any other RWD vehicle. Snow tires help substantially, but when you are still supplying power only to the rear, it will behave that way. I wouldn't hesitate to put/stay in 4wd, wet OR dry roads, if you are worried about snow/ice. I'd rather have a little tire wear than have my vehicle not setup for the road conditions at hand. - I learned this on a Tacoma with snow tires. Everyone who says 4wd doesn't help above a certain speed speed. I bought into it until I did a lane change and just enough power to the rear wheels without the fronts pulling sent me sideways. Fortunately the snow tires somehow regained control, but after that moment, I realized the 4wd HI is there for a reason (and blizzak tires too).
     
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  5. Jan 19, 2019 at 2:37 PM
    #5
    Firefly21

    Firefly21 New Member

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    I hit some ice walking at 2mph and weight 225 and almost lost it, so 25-30mph and 4600lbs would be bad. Anytime you are unsure of conditions toss in 4wd and go slow.
    My tips for snow and ice:
    All vehicles can only do 3 things
    Accelerate
    Stop
    Turn
    None should ever be done together in bad conditions. Pick 1 at a time and you will be ok
     
  6. Jan 19, 2019 at 4:12 PM
    #6
    Charlievee

    Charlievee New Member

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    Frozen water will, lower the friction between your contact patch and the road. By nature, it's very slippery. :eek:
     
  7. Jan 19, 2019 at 4:27 PM
    #7
    4X4Runner

    4X4Runner The Anti Pro, Pro! Staff Member

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    Ice is very, very unforgiving and I have a rather hideous permanent knot on my shin to prove it.

    I’ve been in 2wd trucks, FWD cars, 4wd Tacoma’s, AWD Subaru’s and SUV’s and experienced the hair raising sensation of lost traction and the vehicle going in a direction other than that of what you want it to go.

    Really, tired help out a lot and the better the winter tire the better off you’ll generally be. I can’t say it’s an instability issue with the 4R cause ice is just not fun stuff to drive on.
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2019
  8. Jan 20, 2019 at 8:52 PM
    #8
    Crusifix

    Crusifix New Member

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    Water is wet, and ice is slick.
     
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  9. Jan 20, 2019 at 9:42 PM
    #9
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

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    When I get caught off guard by scattered ice... the "don't use 4wd on dry pavement" rule gets thrown out the window. Especially on the hiway. I'd much rather break my truck than fish-tail and end up in the ditch (or worse). And on the highway, nothing is going to break anyway. In town, you just need to be smart about it. Either slow down or shift out of 4wd when cornering.
     
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