4wd newbie

[tophamhatt]

I have for many years driven a Subaru and thus had no need to know about 4wd. Of course I was also limited in where I could go. So I bought a '99 T4R Limited. It is my daily driver but I plan to take it up to the mountains for some moderate off-roading. I would appreciate any tips on the proper use of the 4wd system. Also, is it OK to use 4wd hi setting (just pushing the 4wd button in) on pavement? Are there any cautions about pavement driving in 4wd?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mr. Dabadina]

not recommended to engage 4wd on dry pavement. You can engage it but you don't want to turn the wheel. It is also recommended that you engage 4wd occasionaly (i was told 10 miles per month). This keeps all things nice and lubed. Others will chime in here but for a VERY BROAD way to answer your qustion, if your wheelin in mud 4hi, sand 4hi, rocks 4lo. Hope this helps and welcome to the site. Also this topic has been discussed before so a quick search would result in this-CLICK ME

 

[tophamhatt]

How about wet pavement?

What if the pavement is wet? It rains a lot here in Oregon in the winter. Is it harmful to drive in 4wd hi open (button pushed in and just the 4 green lights on) when it's raining?

 

[trd_4runnin]

I suppose it's debatable on whether or not its harmful on wet pavement. It is not as harmful as on dry pavement, but anytime you use your 4WD, no matter under what circumstances, you are putting wear on the 4WD components. Do you really want to put excess wear on something that you might need in the future, when you really don't need to. IMO you will not need 4WD in the rain if you have a decent set of tires. Just leave it in 2WD and take off a little slower from those green lights.

 

[J.A.]

On a 1999 Limited it is perfectly safe to use the multi-mode push buttone 4WD on dry ground. The 99 Ltd's have a center diff which allows this. Pulling the transfer case lever back to lock the center diff is where you need to be careful on dry pavement.

 

[trd_4runnin]

Word, I was unsure which year they went to the multi-mode transfer case.

 

[4runny]

Can you turn the 4X4 on will driving?
Like if your on the freeway and all of a sudden a big storm hits. Can you turn the 4X4 on without stoping?

 

[Ohio4R]

Im pretty sure you can just let off the gas and put it in 4Hi, and it should go in.

 

[JustAnotherT4R]

yes, but you would have to slow down under 30mph for it to engage 4X4.

 

[trd_4runnin]

yes, but you would have to slow down under 30mph for it to engage 4X4.

I know the shift-on-the-fly 4WD system found on the limiteds can be engaged up to 60 mph. Not that I would necessarily try that, but that is what the manual states. 40-50 would be fine though.

 

[tophamhatt]

Thanks for the replies. Now that I know that my Limited has the ability to drive in 4wd on pavement (with the pushbutton only), can anyone point me to a site that has specs on the torque distribution in the various 4wd modes? I'm just curious as to how the system works.