How necessary is 4WD?

Question

Hi- I'm buying a used Tacoma, and I'm interested in getting one with 4WD mainly as a safety feature. I don't tow or off-road (I often carry around work equipment; that's why I'm getting a pickup), but I do live in Chicago, where there's ice, snow, and torrential rain two-thirds of the year (and the roads aren't always plowed when it snows). I think having 4WD would be a big help in inclement weather, but my mechanic says it doesn't make that much of a difference and that a set of burly winter tires do just as much. What's your experience, and opinion? Go for 4WD, or save the money?

Thanks!

Answer 1

I have had nothing but 4WD in the last 20 years it is wonderful it will keep you safe and on time,Just keep in mind that the 4WD application is not much help braking. It would be my recommendation any day. Its a little more expensive to run & maintain. On a used one have checked by a trusty mechanic first.

Answer 2

What 4WD or AWD does is give the truck the capability to shift the weight to all 4 tires.

For example, your Tacoma is rear wheel drive.  If your rear tires are stuck, or slipping, on snow, and you put the car in 4WD, then the distribution will be shifted to the front tires which can hopefully grip and get you going.

Although 4WD does not guarantee you will not slide or get stuck, it basically doubles your chances of being safer.

A rear wheel drive truck is the most difficult vehicle to drive in ice and snow.  If the Tacoma has VSC, or Vehicle Stability Control, then you should be ok in Chicago.  If it does not, then I would definitely recommend getting the 4wd.

If you do decide to go with the 2wd Tacoma, make sure to put two 70 lbs. sandbags in the back of the bed.  This will help with traction by weighing down the back a little and you can use to help you get out of being stuck in an emergency.

Good luck

Answer 3

I have lived and worked in northern climates ( Iowa, Michigan, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, Alaska)  most of my life, and have never NEEDED four-wheel drive.  In my opinion, four-wheel drive just gets you in deeper before you get stuck!  

While 4WD may give you a slight advantage driving in deep snow, or on unimproved back-country roads, a rear-wheel drive pickup with a bit of extra weight in the back and a good set of winter tires works almost as well, and costs a lot less to maintain and to operate.  On the paved roads you will find in Chicago, a front-wheel drive sedan or SUV will work even better!  Don't waste your money on a 4x4 truck unless you really need it for off-road operation.  

And remember... If you do decide to  buy that big ol' macho 4x4, that while you may have better traction for acceleration and getting out of the mud, your Four Wheel Drive does NOTHING to improve your  braking or steering on ice or snow!  If you don't believe me, just look at all the 4WD SUVs in the ditches after an ice storm blows through!  Slow down and think about what you're doing BEFORE you do it.

Answer 4

I live a few miles southwest of Chicago, and a few days ago, I needed 4 wheel drive.  It DOES make a difference!  While I normally use 2 wheel drive, in good weather, I believe the 4 wheel drive is a necessity when we get extreme snowfall.  I don't care what tires you get or how much weight you put in the back of your truck, absolutely nothing beats having a 4 wheel drive in a nasty Chicago snowstorm!

Answer 5

4WD is good in snow and mud. On ice you're no better off than a 2WD truck. However my Dad is 58 years old and has never owned a 4WD in his life. And he's always managed to get where he had to be.

Answer 6

A 4x4 won't help you on ice, you'll just have 4 wheels slipping instead of just 2. Where a 4x4 really makes a difference is on snow or dirt. Most 4x4 systems were not designed for dry, flat roads. I have a 4x4 because I own a boat and it makes it much easier to get up the boat ramp, especially when pulling the boat on the trailer.

Answer 7

After years of having 2WD vehicles, I finally purchased my first 4WD SUV (Ford Escape). Now granted, most of the year, I keep in 2WD, but when it's icy, rainy, or snowy, the 4wd gets turned on. Mind you, I live on a dirt road, so it's a little more necessary.

Here in Michigan, in the cities (Detroit, Flint, A2, etc) you probably won't use the 4WD unless you get a snow storm like the ones we had previously this year (+12 inches). But if you live in the middle of nowhere, even with only a few inches of snow or a small sheet of ice, that 4WD is awesome to have.

Granted, you could spend the money on snow tires, but you also have that time that you have to change them once spring comes. I keep all-season tires on my truck, and the only problem I had was driving through 4 inches of mud, after the road commission rebuild our road.

Since I leave for work at 4AM (well before the plows get out) It's a must to have 4WD. Especially here in Michigan and the outlying Great Lakes Region.

Answer 8

Nothing but 4wd.  Nothing nobody else has mentioned yet.  The resale value is much much better than a 2wd.  Having 4wd is like free because you will get all your money back for a 4wd.  Selling a 2wd in a cold weather climate is nearly impossible.

Answer 9

I live in Michigan, and have never used 4wd.

I think that expereince driving in icy conditions (and possibly having a manual trans) helps more then having 4wd.

If they don't plow, you are gonna have trouble unless you have a plow on your truck!

Using 4wd also uses more gasoline.

Answer 10

I would think if you are dealing with mud, snow, water, sand, or anything of that type, you need a 4WD.

way to go 4wd!!!

Answer 11

I would save the money and the expense of maintenance and buy a set of winter tires because they have special rubber compounds designed to improve traction, handling and braking in all cold weather conditions, not just ice and snow.