4WD vs AWD Question

[kasch_hunter]

Based on the comments by other drivers it seems that those of us in the Rockies encounter different ice and snow driving conditions than ice and snow conditions in other parts of the Country. Some of the comments here suggest that 4WD should be used sparingly or that there is some reason to be cautious about when it is used. I don't really understand that. At the end of the day there is no harm in running in 4WD if you think it makes your driving safer. I do not wait until I start to "fishtail" or experience some other adverse response as a precondition to engaging 4WD. After 40 plus years of driving on ice and snow I have obtained enough experience to know when 4WD will work/help so I use it.

 

[csw2001]

Technical explanation - why driving on dry pavement in 4WD is ok

I found the very excellent write up on this topic:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/133871-using-part-time-4wd-dry-pavement-te-sr5.html

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Since the limited has full time 4wd, do you still need to lock the center diff for 10 miles a month? I figure it’s a good idea to switch it and also 4lo regularly but is there a need to drive with the diff locked to lube it?

I do not and did not on my old 4th gen with full time 4wd. The Limited does not have the front axle disconnect like the other 4runners. I am not positive but I think that is what they are trying to lubricate in the 10 mile drive. When you shift a limited into low it locks up the center diff the same as going into H4L. In my opinion shifting to low now and then and driving a short distance accomplishes the same thing.

 

[scanny]

I've had plenty of AWD vehicles, but this is my first 4WD vehicle (2017 Off Road).

I was a little taken aback when I first drove in 4Hi and went to put it back in 2WD and had the lever refuse to go back into 2WD. Also with the different behavior in turning into things like driveways and feeling the decreased turning radius. I finally figured out that this is normal behavior and got accustomed to some of the quirks of 4WD (read the forum).

A question I have is it it OK to use 4Hi in the "in between times"?

I consider these to be, not off road driving, but driving on the highway in slippery conditions (rain or wet road with possibility of freezing conditions). Not running through snow on the road, but wet, or possibly freezing conditions where black ice is a possibility, but not a surety.

I mentioned this to a service rep while I was having a rattle checked and he was horrified that I might be using 4Hi in these types of conditions as 4Hi was "only for off road use".

Driving up to the mountains (CA Sierra Nevada), I don't want to be stuck in 2WD while all the Audis, Subies, and everyone else is in AWD. The conditions can quickly change when going from sea level to 7,000 ft.

(I know I can read the manual but wanted to get responses from the forum)

If you run a search, this was discussed in details a few times already. From my experience you should not use 4Hi on dry pavement unless you driving straight line. If you forget switch to 2Hi, you'll remember it when you start making tights turns, you trucks will behave as if hand brake is engaged.
I turn on 4Hi every time I'm off the pavements (gravel and dirt roads) or on snow/slush covered roads (including patches of snow) or in heavy rain. If it just wet roads I turn on 4 hi only when I need to do my 10 miles a month or when I anticipate big puddles or other slippery stuff ahead. As per mountain roads I'd say that if it's wet it's safe to drive in 4Hi, wet roads as slippery as gravel roads. if you feel too much resistance when you turn it's probably too dry to use 4Hi.