Thanks for providing explanations of the surrounding buttons as well and how the features turn off too. I saw several comments complaining about the length of the video, those people might be happier with just a quick google answer but for those of us who are wanting to understand how the function impacts driving and how to actually use it, your videos are greatly appreciated!
Glad I could help! I get people complaining about too short or too long. I just try to explain the issue and then the fix or explanation however long it has to take to be clear.
I came here to make sure I understood the feature as I was just driving in snowy conditions on the highway in wife’s 2015 Highlander and activated it at about 50mph and it did not downshift but throttle down, steering tightened quite a bit and acceleration was geared down. When I turned it off the car took off, so there is some sort of acceleration “reduction” even at highway speeds which makes sense. It definitely seemed like a good feature at highway speeds to me.
thanks for the reply! yep, worked great... @@stevenwelchtoyota just wanted to confirm however that it does help at higher speeds... I guess the real question I have for you, and the main reason I sought out an explanation, is " is it bad to engage it at higher speeds and should it only be activated from a stopped position?"
Well, let's see some of that snow action live. Let's see that ESC in action. Dose it handled better than the Lincoln town car and BMW in snow? I need to see demonstration.😮
Thanks Steve, for explaining in such great detail, I’m in WISCONSIN and it’s snowing! Thanks for your good sense of humor! I’ve pushed the “Snow” button while driving, and didn’t notice much difference- probably because I was driving faster. btw, I am on my second Toyota Highlander and love them, I would buy another! I will use that snow button today, with more confidence! Always enjoy your vids! Thanks!
I have used the snow button in very icy and snowy conditions. It helps. Traction control saved my butt on black ice once. I started to slide, and TC kicked in and streighted car right out. I was able to slowed down at the time which also helped. 2007 Highlander
Thats ABS probably. Traction control button turns traction sensor off and on. Thats it. So basically you can hit gas and your wheels will spin if your 4 wheels are not touching the ground.
I drive a 2015 highlander 2wd with a snow button! I live in an area with some snow but not enough to need awd which saves me a little on gas though I'm still only a couple weeks into owning it! Just been told the awd does have a little lower mpg...
I imagine using the snow button when the roads are slick from rain helps with traction too, right? Living as I do in central California, we get rain less than once every blue moon. Seriously, it feels like we are in the throws of a perennial drought. And because of that, combined with the oil from all the vehicles on our roads for months on end, when it rains even just a tiny amount, the roads get slick as ice. It would be nice to have a feature like the Snow button for rain slickened roads. Thanks for your assistance and knowledge.
This is great advice, thank you for the video. I have a quick question. If I turn the SNOW mode on, should I manually depress the button to turn it off when it's not needed or does it turn off on its own? Thank you for any advice!
Hey Steve, thanks for this video, very useful. I have the 2021 Highlander Platinum, I see the other drive modes mud & sand, rock & dirt which I understand. However, I was wondering which mode is the best during heavy rain driving conditions? or should I just keep it on Eco or Normal. Please enlighten me on that. Thanks.!
@@stevenwelchtoyota if there’s a lot of wheel slip on an icy hill, usually traction control stops sending power to the wheels in order to establish grip. Does the Rav not do that? Last year, a famous video of a porche, Range Rover, Lexus and Tesla all lost power toward the top of the hill and started sliding back and crashed. The drivers who turned off TC made it.
I’m going from a 2007 manual car to a newer one that is automatic and has these buttons. Very intimidated. Do you have a video that explains traction control/sport mode? Thank you.
Maybe an odd question, but would this mode help to get out of sand at the beach? Or prevent getting stuck in sand? Just wondering, I know it doesn’t say sand lol. I have a 2016 Limited platinum.
Thanks for the video brother actually i was wondering how snow mode works also like there are so many mode these days snow mud sand so i was curious how these things works
Hey Steve! I'm glad to see your video. I do have highlander SE 2018 it has snow mode. Would you think I can use it in rainy or heavy snow without using the chain? Thank you!
Sorry if someone has already asked this or it’s a silly question but...if I have the snow button on can I turn on the DAC button at the same time? WHILE driving and approaching a downhill grade or do I need to pull over and shift to M1?
@@stevenwelchtoyota Thank you for your reply I know it should be used for some few cases only but I need to know what would happen if I kept it on for a long period of time?
There are 2 signal strength indicators, both are on the top right of the screen. The one that is vertical says dcm on it meaning data control module. That one is the cars data signal ie wifi, safety connect, service connect etc. The other one that is there is indicative of your cell phone signal. It also shows your battery condition beside it. They may have a slight variation between them based on how they display the info.
@@stevenwelchtoyota I live in a rural area where cell signal is poor to fair,according to carrier. Does this cause me to have all my problems connecting to entune?
I know I know Chevy sucks BUT I was curious on their new trailblazer. On the FWD option they have snow mode and with AWD option it doesn’t… what exactly would be the difference and which one is better for the snow? Part of me thinks that snow mode is just AWD in disguise (like to get people to pay more for the official AWD option)
Thanks for the explanation for the Highlander. We bought a Limited gas version in December where we are but no idea what that button did. Just subscribed for more Highlander tips.
I drove my 2021 highlander with snow mode once as soon as I got in the freeway the car was shaking like crazy so I took it to the dealer they said I could’ve lost my transmission and not to drive with it on I’m confused
Has anyone had a squealing sound happen after using snow button? We had snow up here this week and I used it in my inifiniti fx35 only on backroads on snow but 3 days later when I haven’t had the button on my car is squealing while driving. I’m checking brakes now. I just wanted to know if it’d end up causing a squealing noise
I would like to see you go over specifics for each button on the toyota but do it in actual snow. Also use your camara to zoom in on each button while your providing a real example in the snow on a hill or at a stop sign with snow on the road. Also don't generalize the brand. State each model and the year of each vehicle...for Instance. I own a 2017 rav 4le. Awd. I would like to see the button for each function for driving in the snow and what it does by providing an example. If you do thar you receive more hits for those of us who have never read the book in the glove compartment. Guaranteed you'll get one hits and sell more toyotas. I love all my toyotas but I'm no expert and I have never used any of these functions even though I live in a region where thiers a lot of snow. I've kind of self-educated. Just hoping to help you out. I'm looking at a new Rav 4 hybrid plug in with a gas engine. Anyway...good luck. Just some feed back for your viewers. Regards Shawn Donham
TL:Dr - the summary is the snow mode let's the car take off in second gear so that it slips a little less. It tightens the steering wheel a little so that you don't oversteer. That's it. Could have been a 30 second video.
Thanks for providing explanations of the surrounding buttons as well and how the features turn off too. I saw several comments complaining about the length of the video, those people might be happier with just a quick google answer but for those of us who are wanting to understand how the function impacts driving and how to actually use it, your videos are greatly appreciated!
Glad I could help! I get people complaining about too short or too long. I just try to explain the issue and then the fix or explanation however long it has to take to be clear.
Thank you for that explanation. This video was very helpful
Awesome. Happy to help
I came here to make sure I understood the feature as I was just driving in snowy conditions on the highway in wife’s 2015 Highlander and activated it at about 50mph and it did not downshift but throttle down, steering tightened quite a bit and acceleration was geared down. When I turned it off the car took off, so there is some sort of acceleration “reduction” even at highway speeds which makes sense. It definitely seemed like a good feature at highway speeds to me.
its meant to keep from too much torque getting to the wheels
thanks for the reply! yep, worked great... @@stevenwelchtoyota just wanted to confirm however that it does help at higher speeds... I guess the real question I have for you, and the main reason I sought out an explanation, is " is it bad to engage it at higher speeds and should it only be activated from a stopped position?"
Thank you ! Your videos are very informative and helpful! 🎉Thank you ! Your clear voice and insight is appreciated!
Thank you
Well, let's see some of that snow action live. Let's see that ESC in action. Dose it handled better than the Lincoln town car and BMW in snow? I need to see demonstration.😮
@@prestondavis544 it does very well. Currently have no snow lol
Thanks Steve, for explaining in such great detail, I’m in WISCONSIN and it’s snowing! Thanks for your good sense of humor! I’ve pushed the “Snow” button while driving, and didn’t notice much difference- probably because I was driving faster. btw, I am on my second Toyota Highlander and love them, I would buy another! I will use that snow button today, with more confidence! Always enjoy your vids! Thanks!
Glad to help
I have used the snow button in very icy and snowy conditions. It helps. Traction control saved my butt on black ice once. I started to slide, and TC kicked in and streighted car right out. I was able to slowed down at the time which also helped. 2007 Highlander
It can save you for sure
Thats ABS probably. Traction control button turns traction sensor off and on. Thats it. So basically you can hit gas and your wheels will spin if your 4 wheels are not touching the ground.
Idk why but he actually answers the question in the title of the video at 3:00 … didn’t have to make us wait that long ….
the set up is important
I drive a 2015 highlander 2wd with a snow button! I live in an area with some snow but not enough to need awd which saves me a little on gas though I'm still only a couple weeks into owning it! Just been told the awd does have a little lower mpg...
IT still does the same thing in the 2wd.
Steven always providing good helpful info on features! Thanks good to know what the snow button does.
Happy to help
I imagine using the snow button when the roads are slick from rain helps with traction too, right? Living as I do in central California, we get rain less than once every blue moon. Seriously, it feels like we are in the throws of a perennial drought. And because of that, combined with the oil from all the vehicles on our roads for months on end, when it rains even just a tiny amount, the roads get slick as ice. It would be nice to have a feature like the Snow button for rain slickened roads. Thanks for your assistance and knowledge.
It can help with slick roads
This is great advice, thank you for the video. I have a quick question. If I turn the SNOW mode on, should I manually depress the button to turn it off when it's not needed or does it turn off on its own? Thank you for any advice!
If you turn it on it will stay on until you turn it of or of you turn the vehicle off it will default to off when you restart the vehicle
To use snow mode you need to turn it on each time the vehicle is restarted.
yes
So my question is after watching this do you have to turn to this before starting the car or can you turn to this while driving?
You can hit it anytime
If you leave it on all the time, would that be a problem?
It would cost you fuel
@@stevenwelchtoyota thanks
Hey Steve, thanks for this video, very useful. I have the 2021 Highlander Platinum, I see the other drive modes mud & sand, rock & dirt which I understand. However, I was wondering which mode is the best during heavy rain driving conditions? or should I just keep it on Eco or Normal. Please enlighten me on that. Thanks.!
Some people use snow mode for that but with traction control normal works too
@@stevenwelchtoyota You mean keeping the traction control on?
@@kenz4music yes
@@stevenwelchtoyota thank you!
So on an icy hill, I can start in snow mode but I still need to turn off traction control to keep sending power to the wheels?
leave traction on. The car can handle most things for you with the safety systems enabled
@@stevenwelchtoyota if there’s a lot of wheel slip on an icy hill, usually traction control stops sending power to the wheels in order to establish grip. Does the Rav not do that? Last year, a famous video of a porche, Range Rover, Lexus and Tesla all lost power toward the top of the hill and started sliding back and crashed. The drivers who turned off TC made it.
I have the 2022 trail blazer I know I start the car first but do I need to put in N mode to hit the snow button?
No Snow buttons can be hit on the fly in every vehicle I know about
I’m going from a 2007 manual car to a newer one that is automatic and has these buttons. Very intimidated.
Do you have a video that explains traction control/sport mode?
Thank you.
not specifically but i will do one
Hi! Great video! We just bought a XLE hybrid. There's no snow button so what is your advice? Eco or Trail or what?
I would put it in sport
Maybe an odd question, but would this mode help to get out of sand at the beach? Or prevent getting stuck in sand? Just wondering, I know it doesn’t say sand lol. I have a 2016 Limited platinum.
i would think it could help. its meant to combat a loss in traction
Thanks for the video brother actually i was wondering how snow mode works also like there are so many mode these days snow mud sand so i was curious how these things works
I have never used a snow button before can you press it while you are driving to turn it on or off
you can
@@stevenwelchtoyota thank you 😁
@@julp452 no problem
Hey Steve! I'm glad to see your video. I do have highlander SE 2018 it has snow mode. Would you think I can use it in rainy or heavy snow without using the chain? Thank you!
It is meant to help. You have to be the judge of what you need
Sorry if someone has already asked this or it’s a silly question but...if I have the snow button on can I turn on the DAC button at the same time? WHILE driving and approaching a downhill grade or do I need to pull over and shift to M1?
you can turn it on.
Is it ok to keep it on for ever?
Or will it affect the car transmission?
nissan almera 2008
only use it when its slick
@@stevenwelchtoyota Thank you for your reply
I know it should be used for some few cases only but I need to know what would happen if I kept it on for a long period of time?
@@hosamabuoqer5520 you would kill your fuel mileage
@@stevenwelchtoyota Thank you so much
The most important thing to me is not affecting the gear box
Many thanks 🙏
@@hosamabuoqer5520 the vehicle will kick you out of snow mode over about 50mph
Steve, Where on Entune 3.0 show cell phone signal strength? I only see I believe is wi- fi, thanks John.
There are 2 signal strength indicators, both are on the top right of the screen. The one that is vertical says dcm on it meaning data control module. That one is the cars data signal ie wifi, safety connect, service connect etc. The other one that is there is indicative of your cell phone signal. It also shows your battery condition beside it. They may have a slight variation between them based on how they display the info.
@@stevenwelchtoyota I live in a rural area where cell signal is poor to fair,according to carrier. Does this cause me to have all my problems connecting to entune?
@@gardenjohn1 for the wifi yes. It uses an at&t signal
@@stevenwelchtoyota What does that mean, I have T Mobile.
@@stevenwelchtoyota Steve, what does that mean?
I know I know Chevy sucks BUT I was curious on their new trailblazer. On the FWD option they have snow mode and with AWD option it doesn’t… what exactly would be the difference and which one is better for the snow?
Part of me thinks that snow mode is just AWD in disguise (like to get people to pay more for the official AWD option)
awd is different than snow mode
Really great video! I’m planning to get a XLE!
I appreciate that. If you are anywhere near Nashville I would love to help
Get and XSE AWD it's worth it
@@thatkidjoly there is not a bad highlander but I always suggest the awd unless you live in the deep south
@@thatkidjoly I love xse and all but I would choose it if it had 8 seats
Thanks for the explanation for the Highlander. We bought a Limited gas version in December where we are but no idea what that button did. Just subscribed for more Highlander tips.
Glad it was helpful!
New Toyota GR 86 has Snow mode as well, curious how that works on a rear wheel drive car.
Could be the Limited slip differential
its all about how the transmission shiftsnand the steering
I drove my 2021 highlander with snow mode once as soon as I got in the freeway the car was shaking like crazy so I took it to the dealer they said I could’ve lost my transmission and not to drive with it on I’m confused
That wouldnt be caused by the snow mode
Does TC default to on ?
It's on unless you turn it off
@@stevenwelchtoyota that's what I thought ..just checking thanks..
Is mirror defrost standard on models?
@@JWM5773 no
Has anyone had a squealing sound happen after using snow button? We had snow up here this week and I used it in my inifiniti fx35 only on backroads on snow but 3 days later when I haven’t had the button on my car is squealing while driving. I’m checking brakes now. I just wanted to know if it’d end up causing a squealing noise
it shouldnt cause a squeek
Thanks!
No problem!
It changes the 4x4 to other 4x4 option thats meaner 4x4 mode
Thanks
Snow button in rav4 2024 hybrid xse where is the snow button
My 1997 Toyota Carina automatic two wheel drive has a snow button
nice
Can you turn ON the snow button and traction control at the same time?
traction control is always on unles you cut it off
@@stevenwelchtoyota thank you
@@stevenwelchtoyota 5 inches of snow today in Seattle im scared driving on snow :)
@@luisalmanzor1702 your toyota will help but be safe
@@stevenwelchtoyota Thanks again :)
I would like to see you go over specifics for each button on the toyota but do it in actual snow. Also use your camara to zoom in on each button while your providing a real example in the snow on a hill or at a stop sign with snow on the road. Also don't generalize the brand. State each model and the year of each vehicle...for Instance. I own a 2017 rav 4le. Awd. I would like to see the button for each function for driving in the snow and what it does by providing an example. If you do thar you receive more hits for those of us who have never read the book in the glove compartment. Guaranteed you'll get one hits and sell more toyotas. I love all my toyotas but I'm no expert and I have never used any of these functions even though I live in a region where thiers a lot of snow. I've kind of self-educated. Just hoping to help you out. I'm looking at a new Rav 4 hybrid plug in with a gas engine. Anyway...good luck. Just some feed back for your viewers.
Regards
Shawn Donham
Sorry about the spell check....gotta love smart phones.
i will try when conditions allow
Thanks
No problem
Just get to the point
Thanks
This could have been condensed to about 1 min
No cause youtube comments would tell me I didn't explain it good enough
@@stevenwelchtoyota brevity is the soul of wit - Shakespeare
@@jwilkers1 not on UA-cam, on UA-cam it's the cause of the youndidnt answer my question comments
Basically it's a low gear...
Plus other things but that is alot of it
Removes cruise control.
only dynamic. you can still use the conventional cruise control
TL:Dr - the summary is the snow mode let's the car take off in second gear so that it slips a little less. It tightens the steering wheel a little so that you don't oversteer. That's it. Could have been a 30 second video.
Thanks
GOOD LORD...this guy babbled for 10 minutes before telling us what the "Snow" button does!
Thanks for finally getting to it!
Glad to help
Skip to 3:00
ok ty