Stuck in SNOW, ICE refuses to run, suspect VDIM - Page 3

mamaedes · #21 (**permalink**) 12-13-2007, 12:38 AM

I have a 2 week old HH and got stuck in the snow last weekend. It was on our driveway in about 6/8 inches of snow and on an incline. The rear wheels did nothing. The only way we got out was to put carpet under the front wheels. The dealership checked the car yesterday and said they couldn't find anything wrong with it. I certainly wasn't off roading. I don't want to worry about having to be stuck anywhere in the snow! Very frustrating...

efusco · #22 (**permalink**) 12-13-2007, 03:04 AM

4WD or 2WD? OEM tires or stock? Ice or just packed snow?

While the traction control (TRAC) is technically part of the VDIM they aren't really the same thing. Traction control will keep your tires from spinning and could be responsible for the difficulty you experienced. If you'll be driving a lot in snowy weather you'd do well to consider snow tires...the OEM tires are not made for that.

mamaedes · #23 (**permalink**) 12-13-2007, 06:50 PM

They tell me it is all wheel drive since it is the hybrid. It just has the 19" tires that came with the limited hybrid edition. It was just snow, I guess maybe it was icy underneath. I think the differential just stopped working since the front tires were spinning and we were stuck. Would snow tires help that? It didn't seem the back tires were even trying at all.

mamaedes · #24 (**permalink**) 12-13-2007, 11:32 PM

I am wondering if I can sell my brand new hybrid Highlander, if I got a gas Highlander instead if it would make a difference? We are in Colorado and drive in the snow a LOT! I don't off road, but I don't want to get stuck getting in/out of my driveway again because of the rear differential turning off. My husband is suggesting I try to get the non hybrid instead. I wonder if that will solve the problem. Any ideas?

mamaedes · #25 (**permalink**) 12-14-2007, 12:29 AM

I live in Colorado and wonder if I am better off getting the hybrid with really good snow tires or just getting the gas version? Any comments? We head up to ski quite a bit and while we don't off road, we sometimes have to cross some foot deep snow to get into our driveways.

efusco · #26 (**permalink**) 12-14-2007, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamaedes

They tell me it is all wheel drive since it is the hybrid. It just has the 19" tires that came with the limited hybrid edition. It was just snow, I guess maybe it was icy underneath. I think the differential just stopped working since the front tires were spinning and we were stuck. Would snow tires help that? It didn't seem the back tires were even trying at all.

AFAIK you get 17" rims.
Not all hybrids are 4WD...there is a 2WD and a 4WD version.

efusco · #27 (**permalink**) 12-14-2007, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamaedes

I am wondering if I can sell my brand new hybrid Highlander, if I got a gas Highlander instead if it would make a difference? We are in Colorado and drive in the snow a LOT! I don't off road, but I don't want to get stuck getting in/out of my driveway again because of the rear differential turning off. My husband is suggesting I try to get the non hybrid instead. I wonder if that will solve the problem. Any ideas?

You can sell it, but I think all you need is snow tires. I don't think, from my experience with our highlander in snow (last year in Colorado and driving there from missouri during the Ice storms) that you'll do any better with the non hybrid.

mamaedes · #28 (**permalink**) 12-14-2007, 06:39 PM

I checked the sticker and it says 4WD with intelligence. I am questioning the intelligence part, but anyway...

mousseknuckles · #29 (**permalink**) 12-14-2007, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamaedes

I live in Colorado and wonder if I am better off getting the hybrid with really good snow tires or just getting the gas version? Any comments? We head up to ski quite a bit and while we don't off road, we sometimes have to cross some foot deep snow to get into our driveways.

There is no reason for you to sell you HIHy, my folks live in the Northwest Corner of CO and drive on snow covered streets, fire-roads, Hwy 40 snow and ice. They travel over Rabbit Ears Pass with no problem in the winter. All you need to do is invest in a good set of snow tires! In fact buy a second set of rims, have the snow tires mounted on them and just swap the sets every Nov and March. You will be golden!

n8kwx · #30 (**permalink**) 12-14-2007, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by efusco

AFAIK you get 17" rims.
Not all hybrids are 4WD...there is a 2WD and a 4WD version.

I think Toyota dropped the FWD version for the new generation (2008+).