SnowRunner is one of the most realistic off-road simulations out there. It features a wide range of vehicles that all have strengths when it comes to hauling goods and exploring dangerous terrain. Upgrading tires and suspension is very important; however, many players overlook the effect that proper shifting can have on a journey.
Gearboxes are where players can find all of their vehicles driving functions. There are tons of options for players to use during the campaign, and each one has a specific purpose. This can be pretty confusing to newcomers to the series. Here’s an overview of all major Gearbox functions in SnowRunner.
Rear Wheel Drive and All Wheel Drive in SnowRunner
The first vehicle function that players need to understand is the difference between Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) and All-Wheel Drive (AWD). RWD simply means that the back wheels are the only ones getting power from the engine. AWD means that all the wheels are receiving power and thus none of them are just loose wheels to be pushed around.
AWD will be the preferred mode to travel in by players. This is because heavy mud and snow can prevent all of the tires from gaining perfect traction. If the truck is RWD and the rear wheels get stuck, players will have to call in other vehicles to help out. When AWD is activated, the front wheels may have enough power to pull the car out of the situation.
Low Gear in SnowRunner
Low Gear (L) lowers the overall output of a vehicle so that it is less than that of the engine. This allows the breaks to have to do less work to control the speed of the car and prevents loss of traction on tricky roads. In SnowRunner, players must navigate through mud, snow, inclines, and jagged roads. Low Gear is helpful for all these conditions because it keeps the car moving slowly without heavy input from the player.
When on a treacherous and steep path, Scout vehicles can easily roll over and stall. This is a big problem, especially when playing with a controller. One tap of the gas can send a truck speeding over the edge. Shifting into Low Gear can prevent this occurrence by allowing players to fully depress the gas button without worrying about the truck moving with too much force. Jagged rocks are a kill in this regard, so use Low Gear whenever they are encountered. When going up or down narrow paths, Low Gear will keep the vehicle moving steadily without overdoing it to the point where control is lost.
Low Gear is also helpful in thick mud or snow. Stopping the flow of motion is a good way to allow gravity to pull a truck into the depths. When traversing mud and snow, players will need to keep their trucks moving at a reasonable speed without any jerking motions that would sink them deeper. Low Gear keeps the torque power of the engine without sending all that power to the rotation of the tires. While many players would assume going faster will help them get out of mud, the opposite is true. Slow down and let the tires work their way through. Speed equals loss of traction.
Low Plus (L+) and Low Minus (L-) are gears found in Advanced Gearboxes. These simply allow the player to have a wider range of speeds while remaining in full control of their traction. L+ will provide a smooth burst of energy to the tires, which can be helpful on inclines with sudden steep ascents. L- is helpful when descending. Shift between L, L-, and L+ as often as needed when climbing or descending dangerous paths.
High Gear in SnowRunner
High Gear (H) is one of the least used gears in SnowRunner yet is very helpful when it can be utilized. High Gear puts the vehicle in its most energy-efficient state but can only be used on smooth flat roads. In real cars, higher gears allow the wheels to be turned closer to the same rate that the engine is turning. This uses less energy and allows the driver to hit higher speeds. In SnowRunner, High Gear allows the player to save on precious fuel as long as they can maintain a reasonable speed. This is a lifesaver near the end of long trips hauling large materials.
Stalling is possible when shifting into High Gear, so be careful. This gear can only be used when the vehicle is moving at full capacity already, otherwise, the wheels will begin to spasm and the truck will lose speed. Mastering when to use High Gear can be tricky but doing so will save a lot of trips to the gas station for players.
Differential Lock in SnowRunner
Differential Lock (Diff Lock) is a must in large off-road trucks. When a truck is stuck in the mud, many players will notice how some of the wheels spin while others remain still. In real cars, this is because driving wheels need to be able to move at different speeds during turns. In muddy or snowy environments, this can be a problem because the mud is preventing the wheels from turning at their full speed. One wheel will end up spinning quickly, while the other will succumb to forces of the mud and slow down.
Differential Lock forces both sides of the axle to turn at the same time regardless of outside forces. This will allow players to regain traction in most situations. Diff Lock can only be activated when in Low Gear. Trucks like the International Paystar 5070 are extremely valuable to new players and should be saved up for and purchased as soon as possible. The Paystar is equipped with AWD and Diff Lock without the need for upgrades of any kind. This will eliminate the need for players to use Scout vehicles and spotters during long journeys. Trucks can still get stuck with all this enabled, using these all at once can make a hauler as close to a Scout as possible.
SnowRunner is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
