I am sorry iam asking a question that has been asked many times. i did my homework and read a lot, in fact i have been reading through this forum since more than a week. Those great people in this forum who have the knowledge and experience and are willing to spend the time and energy helping us (newbies) are awesome... and they ROCK !!!!

Here is my problem: First of all i never drove a 4x4 car before... LOL. at this time i am driving a Lincoln Town Car. I moved to Chicago and the winter here is very tough, I have kids and i really want something safe for them. after searching and looking at many car options i fall in love with the T4R... I LOVE THIS CAR.... so.... I want to buy a new SR5 with third row seating (i have 3 kids),... and to be honest,,, my primary use for this car is going to be in or around the city,,, i might go off-road once in a blue moon. the reason i want T4R is basically because i like it, it looks great and performs well,, also i need a big car for 7 people (i dont want a VAN) and this is the best mid-size SUV i found... . I was reading through this forum and many experts do not recommend the SR5 for a city like Chicago as it is not full-time 4WD. well, i wish i can afford the Limited,,,,, but the fact is: I CANNOT ~ . and I am very afraid to get a SR5 and end up damaging the drivetrain because i dont use it properly.... Knowing me: it is very possible that i put it on 4x4 to get out of the snow in the drive way and then forget it on the DRY pavement,,,,, and end up turning into the parking lot!!!! ~ how bad is that????

also some experts on this forum recommend driving on 4x4 for 10 miles each month (on a straight street), and others say we should NEVER use the 4x4 on the pavement whether wet or dry......
i am confused!!!!
anyone here using SR5 for the city usage only?
i really like T4R and i dont want to end up getting a Honda Pilot just because it is affordable Full-Time AWD (with all my respect to Honda, it is another good SUV.... I just prefer T4R)

please help;;;;

is the SR5 good for Chicago?
how to use the part-time 4X4 without causing problems???
any hints/help/advise will be highly appreciated...

I live near Chicago. I just bought a new SR5. It will be great for our area. You only use the 4WD in snow if all do is drive in the Chicago area. It is easy to put the car into 4WD. It requires a simple shift down. Hey, these are very well built vehicles. If you want a T4R do not sweat it.

yes my friend..... thank you for your reply...I want a T4R.... and all i can afford is the SR5. but i am afraid the part-time 4X4 will cause problems, becaue i forget to dis-engage it on the Pavement!!!

You will be just fine. Stop worrying about it and engage 4 wheel drive when you need it and disengage it when you don't. If you happen to not disengage it for what ever reason on dry pavement no harm or foul, any sharp turns you make you will notice it binding up and you will just reach down and disengage it. Driving in 4 wheel drive on the SR5 on dry pavement wont hurt anything as long as you aren't doing something stupid like doing repeated figure 8's in a dry parking lot even though you can clearly feel the drive train bind up.

So chill out, buy the SR5, use your brain while driving it, and you will live happily ever after :-)

You won't be able to forget. The vehicle handles MUCH differently on dry pavement in 4WD. In case you're wondering, I speak from experience...

I like your reply, man!!!! thanks a million!!!!
so i dont really need the complications, lower MPG, extra potential maintenance associated with Full-time 4WD...... right? i think i will need the 4WD 2 or 3 months of the year only..... and not even every day of these months....

you ROCK !!! I will try to use my brain while driving !!!

Thank you. i didnt know that. as i said, i never drove a 4x4 before ... so the chances that i forget it engaged are minimum... and it will be 100% ok to drive the 10 miles (per the OM) every month on the dry pavement.... right?

No problem :-) As you said you said you could only afford the SR5. The SR5 is a fully capable machine for any driving you will see in Chicago. You don't "need" anything more.

Yep just follow the basic recommendations in the manual. Don't do sharp turns and don't drive at highway speeds. Give a sharp turn on pavement, or better yet on dirt, a try sometime and you will immediately feel why you probably want to avoid it in the future even if it was good for the vehicle :-)

I really really doubt that you will do any damage whatsoever with a few miles here and there in 4 wheel drive on dry pavement even with some sharp turns thrown in by accident. Think about it, could any auto maker out there bring a vehicle to market with a drive train so fragile that you could do permanent damage within a few miles of dry pavement driving and normal parking lot maneuvers? I think not...

I think the main issue is that some mental giant out there with enough money to purchase a new 4runner but lacking any common sense whatsoever would pop er into 4wheel drive and just leave it there all the time thinking that if 2wd is good then 4wd must be better. Something would likely eventually break and they would expect Toyota to foot the bill for their stupidity.

: Thank you very much. you make a lot of sense, the SR5 is a good car and i should be fine driving around Chicago. I appreciate your help. I think i will get one within the next few weeks.... I will get a Blizzard Pearl with 3rd row, running boards and remote engine start.

Have fun :-) I love mine!

SO up to what speed can I drive in 4H on snow covered road?

good question!!!! I hope one of the experts will answer !!!! personally i would not exceed 40 miles on a snow covered road !!!

If you do buy a 4Runner, it would prove very beneficial for you to become familiar with the owner's manual.

Good luck in your decision.

another question: my area (Chicago) has the "Third Row Set" optional package. According to Toyota website this package includes "hands-free phone capability and music streaming via Bluetooth®" does that mean i can just grab my phone and pair into the Bluetooth? or i will need to buy "Blu Logic® Hands-free System" accessory?