4X4 Best Practices for Snow Covered Roads

Guys there is a lot of mixed information out there regarding when to use 4H and 4L, so I figured I'd come to the absolute best place I could to get the best answer(s) I could.

What are your best practices for 4x4 snow driving (on roads lol), both highways, city roads, and back roads? I guess what I'm looking for is best practices to ensure gear box longevity and damage prevention.

Is 4H fine for snow driving, or is 4L needed?

Thank you in advance.

 

4hi is fine. If you have plenty of traction, switch to 2wd. Snow can vary so much, so each driving situation varies.

 

Not sure I see a reason to use 4L in snow…

 

4Hi, when needed, is plenty.

Just remember that the four wheel d-r-i-v-e portion of the truck has very little to do with increased stopping power! (micro seconds)
Every one on the road has four-wheel braking... and you can sit back and watch the accidents occur.

 

4Hi on snow has worked well for me. Better to disable it if your on a plowed road to prevent damage. idk about 4lo because I've never used it before.

 

In other words just because the truck has 4WD, it doesn't mean that slowing down is any different than 2WD?

 

I agree with everyone else. 4H is perfect for driving in snow and wet conditions. You can safely drive with 4H on up to 65mph (I think. Someone correct me if I'm wrong?) There's no need for 4L unless you're stuck in deep snow or mud and need extra traction.

 

Actually it does..
https://youtu.be/8bXdXRbc2Rc

 

Not the first time I've heard about / read about damage in 4WD.

Any idea why the gear box would take damage while driving in 4 wheel in dry conditions? For some reason that doesn't make sense to me.

 

I corrected my orig post.

Have to say that the vid wasn't very scientific, but it got the point across. It was micro seconds - and sometimes that's all that is needed.
Thanks for posting it.

 

Braking in four wheel drive will stop you faster then in 2wd. In 4wd the transmission helps keep everything locked up. Less slipping

 

I might be somewhat wrong but I think the reason why its not advised to drive in 4wd on high traction surfaces, especially when making sharp turns at low speed, is because not all 4 wheels will be turning at the same speed. If all 4 wheels are constantly moving at different speeds, it can wind up the transfer case. Low traction surfaces are better because your tires are more likely to be moving at the same speeds in sync

 

That was my reasoning behind what I said.
But check out the post by @[kd] which offers some finer details.

 

Slipping?

As in tire slide or brake release?

 

Four Dedicated Winter Tires!

 

Or if not in sync, the slick surface (that you're on) will allow the tires to be at different speeds.

 

true. I think I was thinking about the rear diff lock when I typed that lol

 

With the manual when going off-road in the snow, 4low is a must. Well any off-roading for that matter.

 

These pictures reminds me of a time when my girlfriend and I rode up to Mt. Hood with our church’s youth pastor to play in the snow. Got out of his car and looked at his tires, yup, bald as a bowling ball!

 

Never had a problem in the snow with 4h. Also, never had a problem in 2wd when in an empty parking lot.