We've had some really odd weather lately in the SE from snow to ice, etc. I've been using my 4wd more often, but I'm not sure I'm using it the right way after reading other posts on the net. I want to get the most out of it and for it to help me when I need it!

A few questions for you all and I may be off a little with the wording...

1. I engage 4wd HI when below 60mph (turn the nob to the right once), wait for it to finish blinking and finally after a while it connects and shows the green picture on the dash. I'm in 4wd I assume or is this AWD like the V8's?

2. If I want to use 4wd LOW I assume I'm going to need to use this only if I'm off road and not running in drive, maybe using 3rd or lower gears? I've never had to use 4wd LOW since the day I've bought the 4Runner in '05 off the lot... I know, I know...

3. The button the the left of the steering appears to stop the 4WD when running in 4wd HI, correct? It places an X over the green 4wd symbol on the dash.

4. If I'm in a situation where I need 4WD and I've not engaged it, but I'm stuck how can I engage 4WD to get me out of the snow?

5. At what point can I turn VSC off?

Thanks for the help.

Rick

When you switch to 4WD HI you are in all-wheel-drive. That means all wheels are driven, and none are locked to each other, any wheel can spin independently. In that mode any one wheel on ice can spin alone while the other wheels not on ice do not spin. Traction control will use the brakes to get all the wheels going.

When you press the button to the left of the steering column, you are locking the center differential, which locks the front and rear driveshafts together. In this mode at least one front and one rear wheel will be driven, for more traction. Stability control and traction control turn off in this mode, mostly, but not completely.

As you mentioned, 4WD LO is for low-speed, high torque use.

If you get stuck you should be able to switch to 4WD with the switch. You might need to get at least one wheel spinning slowly for the gears to engage.

....

Is this the same on my 07 Sport Edition? I thought you were supposed to avoid 4 hi when on dry pavement, especially making tight turns. Is that the case only if you have the VSC off (essentially locking the differential)?

You can take tight turns in 4 hi with the VSC on?

You can drive as normal on any surface in 4HI, but don't lock the diff on dry roads (unless you're driving in a straight line). That will cause binding and very unpleasant sounds when turning.

So again, correct me if I'm wrong here, but I just want to confirm. I switch from 2 HI to 4 HI and its like have an all wheel drive SUV (like my wife's Volvo XC90). I can turn the wheel all the way to the right or left, take a tight turn, and it will not hurt anything? Even on dry pavement? Just doesnt sound right to me.

I turn the VSC off which essentially locks the differential, putting it in true 4wd? Is this different on the 5th generations? I thought I read in the 5th generation board you couldnt take tight turns in 4wd hi.


I thought I was fairly familiar with 4wd, but I guess not!

Yes, that's correct. You can drive all day long on dry pavement and make all the sharp turns you want. You will not hurt anything nor cause any damage. That's because we have a center differential that allows you to drive in 4HI without binding the drivetrain.

You have it backwards...if you lock the differential, then the VSC is disabled. When you lock the differential, you should not drive on dry pavement because you can bind the drivetrain on turns.

All 4th gen 4Runners have a lockable center differential. The 5th gen Limited has basically the same set-up as the 4th gen, so they can drive in 4HI on dry pavement too. The other 5th gen trims (Trail & SR5) don't have a center differential, but instead have a normal transfer case, so they cannot drive on dry pavement in 4HI.

This is a good thread. Has a "4wd and your new 4runner" type of feel.



4. If I'm in a situation where I need 4WD and I've not engaged it, but I'm stuck how can I engage 4WD to get me out of the snow?

not really answering your question, but I can tell you i have gotten stuck in 4hi before, switched to 4lo and hit that lock the differential button, and i was out of a really big mud puddle.