When is it appropriate to use 4H and 4L on a Tacoma?
I’m new to owning a truck and have always had FWD or AWD vehicles, so I’m unfamiliar with shifting into 4H/4L. I’ve heard various recommendations, such as using it only for off-roading or when there’s more than 3 inches of snow, and that it should only be used while driving straight and never on pavement.
Can someone provide tips and advice on when to use 4H and 4L? I’d really appreciate the help.
Don’t worry, a lot of people have the same question. You can engage 4HI at any speed under 60 MPH as long as your front and rear wheels are moving at the same speed. If your rear wheels are spinning in snow and you’re stuck, stop the truck before engaging 4HI. It’s also a good idea to engage 4HI once a month to keep the components lubricated; you can do this by driving straight on dry pavement. Avoid turning sharply on dry pavement while 4HI is engaged, stick to straight lines.
When the roads are covered with snow (1-2 inches or more), you can use 4HI and drive normally up to 60 MPH.
4LOW is for tougher terrain or when you’re stuck in snow or mud. It provides reduced gearing and more torque to the wheels, allowing for slower speeds but greater power.
It’s helpful to test both 4HI and 4LOW on soft terrain like loose gravel, sand, or snow to get a feel for how they work. Hope this helps.
When driving on snow-covered highways in 4H, is it still necessary to drive only in a straight line? Highways do have some curves and turns, are those okay to navigate?
Yes, that’s perfectly fine and is actually how it’s intended to be used.
I believe the quality of your tires is crucial in preventing your truck from spinning out on snow-covered roads. Personally, I usually drive in 4HI at speeds under 55 MPH, but some people prefer to use 2HI and rely on VSC while driving in the snow.
The quality of your tires is crucial for everything. It affects handling, acceleration, braking, road noise, ride quality, and towing. All aspects of your vehicle rely on those small patches of rubber that connect you to the road.
Colorado has traction laws for winter driving, including specific requirements for tire types and tread depth. Fines for non-compliance are around $500, which could be a significant portion of the cost for new tires.
In 4WD, all your wheels rotate simultaneously. This can be an issue on dry pavement when making tight turns, as some wheels will have to “catch up” with the others. This can lead to increased tire wear and added strain on the differential on dry surfaces. However, in slippery conditions, it’s not a problem since the wheels can slip to match speeds instead of being dragged.
I was curious why it felt unusual to turn the corners on my street in the snow.
Avoid making sharp right or left turns, such as those you might encounter in tight neighborhood corners.
You can use 4HI on the highway in both dry and wet or snowy conditions. If the road is dry and offers good traction, turn it off before you exit and make a turn. If it’s snowy and slippery, you can keep it on for your exit and turns.
Just keep in mind that your turn radius will be wider, and you should avoid making sharp turns in 4WD if your tires can’t slip if necessary.
I usually engage 4HI for a few miles on the highway every few weeks during long drives, but I switch it off before exiting. A bit of winding and curves on the highway is fine, as long as it’s designed for speeds of 55+ MPH.
I only use 4LO when I’m stuck or anticipate that I might get stuck.