About to purchase Trail: Am I making a big mistake?

[garlic4runner]

thank you

I find it difficult to get offroading each month to satisfy the ten mile month Toyota wants me to drive while in 4H. What I do is just pop into 4H on most straightaways on the highway and keep it under 35mph or so. Is that okay?

 

[JB.]

thank you

I find it difficult to get offroading each month to satisfy the ten mile month Toyota wants me to drive while in 4H. What I do is just pop into 4H on most straightaways on the highway and keep it under 35mph or so. Is that okay?

Yes, and it doesn't have to be perfectly straight. My rule of thumb is to try to keep the steering wheel at 1/2 turn or less. It's the extremes that are to really be avoided. High speed, long periods. Low speed, full lock turn on the steering wheel. As mentioned, at the milder end of the spectrum, it's mostly tires and mpg that suffer. In between is, well, in between. Don't do it unnecessarily, but if there's a reason, don't sweat it too much.

 

[Kent10]

Yes, and it doesn't have to be perfectly straight. My rule of thumb is to try to keep the steering wheel at 1/2 turn or less. It's the extremes that are to really be avoided. High speed, long periods. Low speed, full lock turn on the steering wheel. As mentioned, at the milder end of the spectrum, it's mostly tires and mpg that suffer. In between is, well, in between. Don't do it unnecessarily, but if there's a reason, don't sweat it too much.

I have also been driving on straight paved roads to satisfy the monthly 4 wheel drive recommendation. What I do is go into 4 wheel drive at lower speeds as suggested in the manual but then I have been driving on straight highways at 75-80mph for a few miles. Is this the high speed that is not recommended. I didn't see anything in the 4runner manual regarding this but if others are suggesting it is a bad idea, then I will do it at slower speeds. Thanks, Kent

 

[JB.]

What I do is go into 4 wheel drive at lower speeds as suggested in the manual but then I have been driving on straight highways at 75-80mph for a few miles. Is this the high speed that is not recommended.

No, it is the combination of high speed, long duration. The stresses going straight are tiny (assuming matched tires, etc) but with the power necessary to maintain high speed, combined with long duration, there can be excessive heat buildup in the diffs and transfer case.

 

[Kent10]

No, it is the combination of high speed, long duration. The stresses going straight are tiny (assuming matched tires, etc) but with the power necessary to maintain high speed, combined with long duration, there can be excessive heat buildup in the diffs and transfer case.

Great. Thanks, JB

 

[Cosmichrist]

Quick look at the Toyota website, no Shorrline Blue in TE in 2012?

I just picked up a 2012 Shoreline Blue. almost went with a white Sr5, but I wanted a truck feel and the TE gave that to me. Lol, Now it sits in my driveway, I'm sad about every mile I put on it. I love the truck so far. Coming from an Xterra, I like both, it's hard for me to pick a winner.

 

[kbaum11]

I just picked up a 2012 Shoreline Blue. almost went with a white Sr5, but I wanted a truck feel and the TE gave that to me. Lol, Now it sits in my driveway, I'm sad about every mile I put on it. I love the truck so far. Coming from an Xterra, I like both, it's hard for me to pick a winner.

Good, best color in my opinion.

 

[garlic4runner]

I just picked up a 2012 Shoreline Blue. almost went with a white Sr5, but I wanted a truck feel and the TE gave that to me. Lol, Now it sits in my driveway, I'm sad about every mile I put on it. I love the truck so far. Coming from an Xterra, I like both, it's hard for me to pick a winner.

mazeltov! when's the bris? :hatsoff:

 

[mtbnole]

I just picked up a 2012 Shoreline Blue. almost went with a white Sr5, but I wanted a truck feel and the TE gave that to me. Lol, Now it sits in my driveway, I'm sad about every mile I put on it. I love the truck so far. Coming from an Xterra, I like both, it's hard for me to pick a winner.

i came from an 07 Xterra, i miss it sometimes!

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

Since the OP made this thread to get "mental approval" of his decision, and has since bought an 11 TE, this thread is now here for future researchers and people that are interested in learning.
This will help.
4WD Simplified Version 4.0

 

[MarkSamurai5]

okay, so AWD is not 4WD I can see that. I guess this is why you can use it on dry roads.

Is it alright if I drive the Trail in rain with 4wd activated? Or am I harming the vehicle?

I think it's best to use 4WD in a snowstorm when driving on the road.