Thanks Anshuman. Yes due to the scanty snowfall this season, this Chanshal Pass drive was possible.

Thanks Bidhun R

Thanks Mudit, will try to post a video about the snow chains. Putting the chains on is quite a task in such cold conditions. These are standard stock snow chains. About 4H or 4L : Most of the people say that you should use 4H in snow, not 4L. But on steep mountain roads, with deep snow, I prefer 4L 2nd gear, most of the time. It has slightly lower speed compared to 4H 1st gear. And sometimes 4L 1st gear is also required for crawling through tricky sections. And you always have 4L 3rd, 4th gear available if you want to go faster. Yes the new 4wd fortuner comes with H/T tyres, but I have upgraded to Yokohama Geolander AT-S. And I am satisfied with them. Mine is a MT, for such extreme conditions manual transmission is a better choice in the end.

4x4tourer Thanks for the detailed explanation on choosing between 4H and 4L! That really helps. Also, how are the Geolanders working for you overall? Any sidewall issues? And any improvement in ride quality (as I've heard claimed many times)? And finally, if it's not too much bother, is there a compromise on highway/on-road manners owing to the tread change?

Hello Mudit, These Geloander A/T-S are working good for me. I have been using these for around 14k kms. Had the Stock H/T ones for around 3k kms. I have too heard about the sidewall issue but I haven't had any till now. Not even a single puncture. I have done Leh with these tyres too. And I think they have improvised their tyre too for sidewall issue as lately I haven't heard any. To my surprise the ride quality has improved quite a bit. Much better than stock. Noise levels are also less compared to the Stock H/T which I was not expecting from an A/T tyre. Now coming to the highway manner, an A/T tyre will not have same level of grip as a H/T tyre. Same is the case here. But the difference is not much. On very hard braking you will hear the tyre squeal, like under full on emergency braking, you will never hear the squeal under normal conditions. One can live with it if your are not doing very high speeds on highways like 130-140+ . If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask.

Hello 4x4tourer, Your video is really inspiring, well done!!! I have booked a Fortuner 4x4 AT, and waiting for the delivery. Would you be able to please assist me by answering below mentioned queries? 1. Yokohama Geolander A/T G015 (265/60 R18) - Are these the tyres that you are using? 2. If we use these tyres, does that make the warranty void? 3. Will this impact the fuel effeciency (+/-)? 4. Do you suggest me to checkout any other A/T tyres as well? 5. Have you installed any additional underbody protection to enable your vehicle for these extreme off-roading? 6. From a functional perspective, do you think that installing a front & rear under run is going to be useful while off-roading? Thank you!

Thanks Bidhun R, Here are the ans for your queries, 1. Yes, I am using the same tyres. 2. I dont think warranty will be void. Most of the people get their second set of tyres from after market. 3. Didn't check. 4. Dont think any other AT tyre is available in this size as of now due to ISI regulation issue. But do check with the dealer. 5. No I have not installed any additional underbody protection as of yet. As snow is soft, so stronger underbody protection is not required. But if you plan to do some rock crawl type of stuff, then it might help. Ironman & ARB has underbody protection for fortuner in India. 6. Front and rear under run will come out on the first impact. They are pasted on the bumper by 3M tape. If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask.

Thanks..

Ya this year it hasn't snowed much. There was a good spell of snow around 23rd jan. Before that, most of the Himachal was dry.

4x4tourer, Any forecast for some snowfall in mid Feb, if it snows we will come to your favourite snow play ground, Narkanda

It might snow on 7-9th feb as per forecast. But the amount of snow predicted is not much as of now. Lets see.

manual

Thanks Raj Patil

I have driven without chains in snowy conditions but not such extreme conditions . Any 4wd suv does good in snowy conditions but as the snow increases going gets difficult without chains.

I used Dieselpower anti-gel imported from usa. Tire pressure was around 30 with and without chains. Engine oil was toyota synthetic 5w40. Gear oil was stock. Temp was not that low as the drive was during day time.

4x4tourer it's helpful. Thanks

I keep at 32 psi. I find recommended 29psi a bit low for these tyres. And regarding the steering issue, I have faced this issue myself in many heavy suv's in India, irrespective of the tire type. The thing is that roads need to be inclined towards left to let the rain water drain itself. But in India I think they are a bit more inclined then required. So heavy cars tend to turn left on their own, even when the alignment is correct. So there is constant steering correction applied, which makes the steering turned a bit towards right to drive in straight line. Just my opinion. And sry for replying late.

Manual

Thanks. Got the chains from US. Now some websites are also selling chains in India. Kindly do a google search.

stock

Thanks..

Hello, thanks for the appreciation. I got the chains from US.

No, I think it has reduced a bit.

4x4tourer thanks for the info.

I think it can.

yes 4x4. I got the chains from US.

sandeep meelu manual

sandeep meelu manual h bhai

Manual M pickupp jayda bantaaa h

Yes , Endeavour is good too. But I prefer 4wd with lockable centre diff & manual transmission.

Jan 2018