2WD/4WD doesn't affect Gas Mileage Dramatically

[thmastr]

wow it is great to find people who are into actually driving the vehicles they own! and into education and proper techniques!

 

[hlsess]

Just back from looking at an '06 4WD with 58,000 miles- looks brand new- it's at toyota getting checked out- service guy said 4WD will get 1 - 2 less gas mileage per gallon so i am not sure what to think.

 

[FourEyedWilly]

Hey, can the 4th gen be retrofitted with manual locking hubs up front? My silly little brain be thinkin if the front half shafts are disconnected, then you might get better MPG. Just a goofy thought to consider.

 

[Nuke]

Assuming you do, I'd think you'd never hit the break even point (based on cost to install vs fuel savings).

I always considered the 1-2 MPG difference between the 2WD and 4WD models as the accepted norm (norm does NOT = set in stone, concrete, yada-yada).

 

[JB.]

Are you that fearful or inept that you feel the need? 4WD is for those occasions when conditions are such that your driving skills need some assistance. I prefer to drive my cars; not let them drive me.

You have all ABS functions disconnected along with power steering, I presume. When are you dropping in the manual transmission?

 

[wakeboardwhan]

Sorry to re-resurrect a thread but ever since I bought my car and even more so when I put my 20" wheels on with much wider 285 tires I have noticed that my 05 4Runner would pull with any deformities in the road. Today i decided to put it in 4WD to get my monthly 4WD time in (don't do much wheeling anymore with the 20s). I noticed a huge improvement in stability. No longer does the car not pull side to side (I've noticed that with all 4th Gen 4runners and newer tacomas) but it drives straight as an arrow in strong wind and on any surface of road. To me its not the "I dont feel comfortable driving In 2wd because i dont trust myself" but I feel like the driving experience is improved greatly by not constantly fighting to keep my car from going straight.

To add to it, my traction control stops me all the time, not once has it interfered with me in 4wd.

 

[JB.]

Sorry to re-resurrect a thread but ever since I bought my car and even more so when I put my 20" wheels on with much wider 285 tires I have noticed that my 05 4Runner would pull with any deformities in the road. Today i decided to put it in 4WD to get my monthly 4WD time in (don't do much wheeling anymore with the 20s). I noticed a huge improvement in stability. No longer does the car not pull side to side (I've noticed that with all 4th Gen 4runners and newer tacomas) but it drives straight as an arrow in strong wind and on any surface of road. To me its not the "I dont feel comfortable driving In 2wd because i dont trust myself" but I feel like the driving experience is improved greatly by not constantly fighting to keep my car from going straight.

To add to it, my traction control stops me all the time, not once has it interfered with me in 4wd.

Tempting to leave it that way all the time, isn't it? If you need an excuse, just tell yourself you need to perform your own mileage experiment.

If you're feeling really adventurous, you could investigate the transmission pan temperature thing as described here.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/86286-whats-max-speed-when-driving-4x4-mode-v6-2.html

 

[TambourineMan]

I find that 4wd usually handles better in snow