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I guess it can't be considered a ride report, since I flew and am driving a rented Toyota 4 runner (or is it a Pathfinder? I'll check), but I thought I would just check in once in a while to let you know I've not frozen to death or been eaten by wolves (as my mother fears) and I haven't slid off the road or gotten lost yet either. However, tomorrow I do intend to hike into the back country on snow shoes so that could add something interesting to write about ........ if I find my way back!

True to my nature, I did trespass today on Ted Turner's ranch to get some pictures. I didn't think he would mind. But I'm much further south of his place now, so I won't be visiting there again, unless I have extra time on my way back to the airport. So far there has not been any ice, snow, sleet, chemical wet (what the heck is that?) on the roads that I've been on, but I plan on taking some country roads and they are snow covered. I'm in search of much more snow then I've seen so far - so I'm going to go looking for it somehow.

I'll be up tonight reading the Toyota manual to figure out how to work 4 wheel drive. I haven't a clue. I hope it is clear. IF ANYONE CAN GIVE A QUICK LESSON ON WHEN/HOW/WHAT TO DO TO GET IT INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE - I WOULD APPRECIATE IT! I don't even know the questions to ask about it. I just see a lot of buttons that don't mean anything to me yet.

Just checking in since so many of you gave me good advice about driving on snow. I'll be reviewing those notes tonight too. Thanks for the advice. Here's Ted's entrance to his place and the river running under his bridge: I'm having a blast.

Hey kiddo, glad you made it ok. Looks like beautiful country. Sorry, I can't offer advice on the 4WD on the Toyo. I avoid SUV's like that plague.

Take some more pics if you can, we all know you have talent there.

How's the weather overall ? It just started getting cold here in NJ - woke up to 19 F this morning. The high tomorrow will be 52, 53 on Sunday. Will definitely get a ride (or 2) in.

Let us know how things go.

4WD depends alot on the model. First question is does the vehicle have automatic locking or manual locking hubs. Most likely its the automatic hubs so you shouldnt have to do anything. On the off chance they are manual hubs, there would be something that looks like a dial in the center of the front rims. For 2WD the dial would be in the unlocked position. Prior to engaging the 4WD, you would have to turn the dial to the locked position. Probably not going to be an issue but just in case...

Next, again depending on the model, you may have something as simple as button that says 4WD Hi ( or 4Hi) and Lo. Simply press and go. The other option would be a lever on the floor usually near the gear shift. Pull up on the lever to 4Hi or 4Lo. Generally (manual will come in handy here) you need to be at a stop or going very slow to get into 4Hi

4Hi is for relatively normal travelling on the road usually upto a speed of about 40MPH. If you are going faster than this you shouldnt be using the 4WD in the first place. 4Lo is low gearing that puts a lot of torque out through the wheels. this should be used only very extreme situations like offroading and trying to get out of mud or snow banks. Not for speeds above 1st gear!!!!!

To disengage, push the lever down to the 2WD position or press the 2WD button (or the 4Hi button again depending on the vehicle) and typically you then need to drive in reverse for XX feet to disengage the auto locking hubs. For my Nissan Xterra, its like 10 feet.


The When is a tougher call. Like many mentioned in your original post, its so much a judgement call and having the 4WD engaged can give you a false sense of security. To start off, you will probably not need it as often as you think. A good set of fresh tires and some weight over the rear will give you plenty of traction for a plowed and sanded road. A light touch on the gas (almost typed throttle!!) and brake is key. Take it slow and screw the bastards behind you (if any!!). Toyota 4Runners or Pathfinder (my Xterras big brother) are very capable all terrain and weather vehicles. You've got a good piece of equipment in either one.

Good luck and great pics!! Keep 'em coming!!!

Craig

PS Feel free to PM with any specific questions!! Winter driving is a skill like any other!!

Craig:

Thanks for the advice on 4 wheel driving. I think I'm getting the hang of it pretty well. I haven't encountered anything too bad yet, so I've not need the 4Hi yet. I understood what you were explaining. It has buttons on the dash that say 4H and 4L, so it made sense to me. I'm heading up to higher altitudes tomorrow, so I'm sure I'll encounter more snow. And I think the weather report calls for some snow tonight and 60% tomorrow. Could be fun.

So, no snowmobiles running yet. There is not enough snow in the area I am staying. So I got this little red sled and I am hauling my equipment around in it. Sure people stare, but I'm working so I don't care. This little plastic sled is carrying about $7500.00 worth or equipment so I've got bungee cords holding things on so they don't bounce out. I wanted to take a shot of it, because it's just a little too hilarious to me that I am having to pull this little sled around with me to get my work done. So I set up a tripod to take a pic, then ran to get in place and the sled started sliding, so I sort of tried to stop it and ended up falling on it just as the shutter snapped:



Here's a couple more pics of the Gallatin River just outside my cabin and the bridge crossing it and ice on the river. Tomorrow, more red sled at higher altitudes, and working from daybreak to sundown to get things finished. I'm running short on time and options.

You Rock! Even your accident's turn out to be good pictures!

Gallatin River? You must be somewhere near Boseman, where Robert Pirsig (Zen and the Art of Motorsysle Maintenance) taught college.

My son has the same little sled. Have you taken a ride down a hill on it yet? (Ummm...I said hill not mountain - it doesn't have 4WD or brakes!)

Glad you are enjoying your trip and keep the pics coming.

That sled!

What tires do you run?

Where's the oil sight check glass? Dip stick?

Does it have a kill switch?

Go girl!!!

Well, it had to happen sooner or later.

I got stuck today in snow alongside the road. I tried to remember everything I was told, but it just blurred in my mind as I tried to get the 4 runner out. I tried every button in the D#m@ car. I couldn't tell you how, but I eventually got out. Then later I faced a steep down hill ice/snow/pedestrian laden road. There are no instructions inside this car for me to read, so I'm just trying to figure it out. I made it down the hill without running over anyone or sliding off the side. Then I ended up on another snowy road with no way to turn around, but by then............hey - I was in control (sort of).


Here are some pictures of the places I drove by today.

Here's one we never told you for when you get stuck:

Don't sit in one place and spin the tires, this will only melt the snow and create a slick spot under the drive wheel or wheels. Then you will need sand or salt to overcome the ice that you created.

Instead, use gentle rocking motions by shifting back and forth between forward and reverse. Each time you rock, try staying on the accelerator a little bit longer to gain enough momentum to get you out.

Congrat's on passing Winter Driving 101!

Awesome pics !!!

Great pictures GypsyRR....I love the sled pic... ...btw..I have a BMW sled...really...it even got used once..

My daughter took this pic of me on it this arvo after thinking about your pic.. http://members.optusnet.com.au/~djp1/mypic3050.JPG

Take it easy with the 4X4'ing...I've have a few prangs in my Pathfinder driving on snow..try not to stop on a hill if you can.

I once stopped on a hill..had heaps of grip (without chains)...and just as I was about to stop..as soon as I put the clutch in..I started speeding up (sliding).

DJ

nice pictures!

Instead, use gentle rocking motions by shifting back and forth between forward and reverse. Each time you rock, try staying on the accelerator a little bit longer to gain enough momentum to get you out.

This is good advice if it is a rental car.

For my own car, I only do this as a last resort. It is hard on the drive train.

I did trespass today on Ted Turner's ranch to get some pictures. I didn't think he would mind.

Ted turner's Ranch! Thats cool...I showed everyone here at Cartoon Network. It's nice to see our bosses ranch!...hahaha

~dave

Hijack On:

Dave, I want Johnny Bravo and Space Ghost back!

Hijack OFF:

I want Johnny Bravo and Space Ghost back!

I also miss the good o'l Johnny Bravo!! But I have nothing to do with programming. They’re the ones that make all the big decisions!

~dave

[Okay, thanks for the info. Don't tell the others I used to enjoy the Adult Swim and the strangeness of the cartoon dialect written for those guys - very subtle sometimes, but hilarious.]

Whoops! See below...

So, who was lost in Montana? Have they been found yet? If so, when is the party?

mac

I finally made it home. Other than getting stuck in a snow bank for a while and coming a little close to frost bite on one hand, I think I handled the snow and driving in it pretty well. By the time I had finished my work up there, I had learned to drive on all kinds of winter roads. I got some instructions on the Toyota 4 Runner from a local (Avis doesn't provide manuals) and once I understood what the car could do, I realized I could just push buttons and let it do the thinking. That allowed me to get to some really desolate areas. What a great place to live. What a great place to ride a bike (in summer).

Hi Gyps, great photos! Keep 'em coming!

Young lady, you certainly know which end of the lens to stand behind. I spent 4+ years in Idaho and have lived in other snow-clime areas. Your photos capture the area extremely well.

I have, of course, "stolen" some of them from your post for my further enjoyment. Beautiful

Great pictures, Gypsy. I especially like #2 and the *wildlife* photos. Thanks for sharing.