4WD question - Binding?

[seancgn68]

With pending snow tonight, I decided to to switch my '05 V6 into 4 wheel drive last night to make sure all the gears were good and lubed as it had been about a month since I last ran in 4WD.

I switched back to 2WD after I pulled into my development on the straight away, but ran out of road before it had completely shifted back. When I went to make the turn at the end of the road, it almost felt like I was trying to step on the gas and the brake at the same time.

I stopped and backed up straight about 25 feet, and then tried again and the 4WD light stopped blinking, and everything seemed fine. I know you are supposed to go straight until shifting is complete, but I am curious as to the technical explanation as to why.

Can anyone explain to me what exactly happened here?

 

[hoss]

straight as an arrow

never heard of driving straight until engagement or disengagment of 4wd system. where did you hear this?
In 4wd the truck will appear a bit sluggish at low speeds
hence the brake gas feeling. just read you manual for operating instructions, and remember under 65 mph (80kmh) to switch into or out of 4wd.

 

[seancgn68]

Re: straight as an arrow

never heard of driving straight until engagement or disengagment of 4wd system. where did you hear this?
In 4wd the truck will appear a bit sluggish at low speeds
hence the brake gas feeling. just read you manual for operating instructions, and remember under 65 mph (80kmh) to switch into or out of 4wd.

I believe it says it in the manual, or I read it somewhere else here.

 

[BenSD]

Re: straight as an arrow

never heard of driving straight until engagement or disengagment of 4wd system. where did you hear this?
In 4wd the truck will appear a bit sluggish at low speeds
hence the brake gas feeling. just read you manual for operating instructions, and remember under 65 mph (80kmh) to switch into or out of 4wd.

It's in the manual. I shift from 2WD to 4WD and back to 2WD on a daily basis to help backup a steep driveway. When you switch from one to the other, you need to drive straight. Also, you have to let go of the gas pedal, then press it again to engage the change. For example, if I'm on the freeway and forget that I'm in 4WD when I really want to be in 2WD, I have to go over to the slow lane, drop below 62MPH, switch the switch, let go of the gas for a brief moment, then press it again and it will switch over.

If I'm at a red light and I turn the knob to switch into or out of 4WD, sometimes it will change while I'm sitting at the light before even moving. You can hear/feel it switch. It's a clunking sound. I've also found that if it does not seem to want to switch, you can shift into neutral, then back to drive, and it will switch.

 

[tcpoob]

Re: Re: straight as an arrow

actually, you should be able to switch from 4wd to 2wd at any speed. you are only required to go under about 62 mph while activating 4wd, or the computer beeps to warn you.

 

[BenSD]

Re: Re: Re: straight as an arrow

actually, you should be able to switch from 4wd to 2wd at any speed. you are only required to go under about 62 mph while activating 4wd, or the computer beeps to warn you.

Isn't that what I just said? That's why I have to switch to the slow lane so I can drop below 62MPH. Otherwise I can't switch while on the freeway because I am over that speed. It's not often that I switch while on the freeway, just when I forget to do so while still on the surface streets.

 

[Scrappy125]

With my other trucks, I never used 4WD without there being snow on the road or being offroad. In my Jeep actually, I wouldn't use the 4X4 if the snow was cleared, or if I could see blacktop. With the 4runner, can I engage the 4wd on dry pavement, or on the highway? It doesn't seem correct

 

[BenSD]

With my other trucks, I never used 4WD without there being snow on the road or being offroad. In my Jeep actually, I wouldn't use the 4X4 if the snow was cleared, or if I could see blacktop. With the 4runner, can I engage the 4wd on dry pavement, or on the highway? It doesn't seem correct

You can use 4Hi any time you want --- hard pavement or loose sand. Either way it's just fine. The system the V6 uses is the same as what the V8 uses in terms of 4WD, but you can just disable the 4WD on the V6 model. Now if you lock the center diff, that's another story. That should not be done on pavement.

 

[ToolmanJohn]

Yes, any time any surface 4WD

With my other trucks, I never used 4WD without there being snow on the road or being offroad. In my Jeep actually, I wouldn't use the 4X4 if the snow was cleared, or if I could see blacktop. With the 4runner, can I engage the 4wd on dry pavement, or on the highway? It doesn't seem correct

Since the 4runner has a torsen center differential , and open differentials front and rear, it can be driven on any surface while in 4WD. The wheels can trun at different speeds if neccesary to prevent binding.

Just don't lock the center differential unless the surface would allow some slip. You would bind while turning on a dry surface with good traction otherwise.

If you want, just leave it on 4WD all the time and forget about it, just like the owners of the V8 4WD (although they have no choice there).

 

[Scrappy125]

Ben and John,
Thanks for helping to clear that up. It's much appreciated.
We're gettin 4-6" of snow tonight, and I haven't had 4X4 in four years. Giddyup

 

[tcpoob]

Re: Re: Re: Re: straight as an arrow

no. 4wd hi --> 2wd can be done at *any* reasonable speed (even > 62mph) safely. you do not need to switch to slow lanes first to deactivate 4wd hi.

Isn't that what I just said? That's why I have to switch to the slow lane so I can drop below 62MPH. Otherwise I can't switch while on the freeway because I am over that speed. It's not often that I switch while on the freeway, just when I forget to do so while still on the surface streets.

 

[BenSD]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: straight as an arrow

no. 4wd hi --> 2wd can be done at *any* reasonable speed (even > 62mph) safely. you do not need to switch to slow lanes first to deactivate 4wd hi.

I'll have to try that. I thought the manual stated that the limit is 62MPH either way.

 

[sharp4runr]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: straight as an arrow

no. 4wd hi --> 2wd can be done at *any* reasonable speed (even > 62mph) safely. you do not need to switch to slow lanes first to deactivate 4wd hi.

The manual specifically says to be below 62MPH. I would listen to the manual as I wouldn't want to unnecessarily break anything.

Also I don't think you have to lift off the accelerator to complete the mode switch.

Also there is a cheat sheet on how to switch modes on your sunvisor for the driver.

 

[BenSD]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: straight as an arrow

The manual specifically says to be below 62MPH. I would listen to the manual as I wouldn't want to unnecessarily break anything.

Also I don't think you have to lift off the accelerator to complete the mode switch.

You may not have to, but I notice that as soon as I do that, it changes modes. If I just keep my foot on the gas, it will continue to blink at me for quite a while.

 

[Solice]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: straight as an arrow

The manual specifically says to be below 62MPH. I would listen to the manual as I wouldn't want to unnecessarily break anything.

Also I don't think you have to lift off the accelerator to complete the mode switch.

Also there is a cheat sheet on how to switch modes on your sunvisor for the driver.

Yeah I think tcpoob is right. My manual says switching from 2wd to 4wd must be done under 62mph but it can be switched from 4wd to 2wd at any speed. I've never tried switching out at a higher speed though. Usually when I'm in 4wd I'm not driving above 40 or 50.

 

[tcpoob]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: straight as an arrow

thanks solice, i knew at least someone would check out the manual besides me. Or is it diff (in manual) btw '04 and '05, since we both have '05 and sharp4runr has '04.

i switch from 4hi to rwd several times while in 70+mph, no prob at all. don't be afraid.

Yeah I think tcpoob is right. My manual says switching from 2wd to 4wd must be done under 62mph but it can be switched from 4wd to 2wd at any speed. I've never tried switching out at a higher speed though. Usually when I'm in 4wd I'm not driving above 40 or 50.

 

[Scrappy125]

I have been using the 4 wheel drive feature more lately with all the snow/slush we've been getting in the Philly area. I probably would have used it half the time I did if I hadn't read this thread. It's nice to know for sure that I can put it into 4 hi anytime I want (>62mph) and not damage anything.

Thanks again guys.:biggrin2:

 

[Solice]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: straight as an arrow

thanks solice, i knew at least someone would check out the manual besides me. Or is it diff (in manual) btw '04 and '05, since we both have '05 and sharp4runr has '04.

i switch from 4hi to rwd several times while in 70+mph, no prob at all. don't be afraid.

The 4wd system didn't change from 04 to 05 but they may have changed the manual around a little bit. I'm not sure .

 

[seancgn68]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: straight as an arrow

You may not have to, but I notice that as soon as I do that, it changes modes. If I just keep my foot on the gas, it will continue to blink at me for quite a while.

Interesting... I tried this in the last snow, and it does seem to shift into 4WD faster if you let of the gas for a second or two. It will still switch if you don't, but I tried it both ways, and everytime I let off the gas, it shifted almost immediately.

 

[live4thrillz]

my shifting technique

Sometimes it takes 10-15 seconds to engage, sometimes only a couple. **I've found that if I go about 30-45MPH and let off the gas then turn the switch and coast it'll engage quickest and without any clunk. (Downhill coast with a little braking seems to work well too)** If I'm on the gas or slightly turning it'll take longer and sometimes clunk. Also, when disengaging while on the gas it'll usually clunk. Just my experience...