Any benefit of 4WD shifter over knob?

[scott78945]

I currently have a 2011 SR5 and am looking at the 2014 Trails. I love the look of the great accent on the front and back, reminds me of my 2005 Sport Edition. My SR5 has the shifter for 4WD and frankly I don't care for it much. I find it hard to engage at times and would prefer the knob. However, the TE only seem to have the manual shifter. Is there a benefit of having the shifter over the knob? Or is it for looks?

 

[vicpick58]

I don't really know how the knob works, but assume there is some kind of electric motor or solenoids involved. (that could fail)

The manual shifter would be direct linkage.

 

[philsey]

With the shifter you get 5 more hp, and 10 more lbft of tq., plus your testosterone level will rise, and your man boobs will shrink.

OTOH, with the knob you'd be missing out on the annoying buzz if you store your sunglasses in that rubber boot.

 

[STX4Runner]

The trail edition lever is a direct linkage. It's awesome that 2013 there are still auto makers giving us actual 4x4 levers. It's so much more fun to pull back on that lever when you hit the trail. And IMAO it's cooler looking and cooler when you have friends in the car to use a lever to engage 4x4 rather than a knob that could be for the air conditioning. Other than that, the trail edition and SR5 are the same, as both have ADD (automatic differential disconnect), which is a solenoid that engages a collar on one of the half shafts when you switch to 4x4.

 

[cdthiker]

its all about the AwEsomE factor.....

 

[03_4x4Runner]

If you are a old timer like me there is nothing more natural than pulling back the lever of road when 4x4 is needed. Having driven my old Jeep Wrangler for 11 years is just seems natural. I have never really grown to like the rotary dial on my 03. I like the mechanical feel and no need to worry about a shift motor failing although as stated it still has the front axle disconnect.

 

[scott78945]

Thanks guys for the info. I don't know much about a vehicle, mechanically, and I had had problems with my shifter on my 2011 so I was reluctant on getting another one. When I first got mine and put it into 4WD it went all wacky. My dashboard lit up like a X-mas tree and I couldn't get the engine to even engage. I was bucking and had to eventually be towed from a parking lot. I couldn't get it back into 4WD or even 2WD. Ever since then it just doesn't feel right.

I am actually taking it into the shop in a few weeks to have them look it over. It engages correctly and goes into 4WD but when backing up or slowing down to park into a parking space the engine feels as if it has no power and it bucks a little. Very odd and never had this problem with my 2005 that had the knob.

 

[Intruder]

It engages correctly and goes into 4WD but when backing up or slowing down to park into a parking space the engine feels as if it has no power and it bucks a little.

You shouldn't be using 4wd in a parking lot where you're making really sharp turns unless it's extremely slippery. The bucking is normal if in 4wd with traction and making a sharp turn.

 

[scott78945]

You shouldn't be using 4wd in a parking lot where you're making really sharp turns unless it's extremely slippery. The bucking is normal if in 4wd with traction and making a sharp turn.

I would have it in 4WD while going down the road from the gym and stopping at the grocery store. I never had to take it out of 4WD in my old one. So your saying this is normal? I have never experienced this. Am I supposed to disengage the 4WD and then engage it again when leaving? Many times the parking lot isn't plowed late at night so I have to drive through it and don't want to slide into a parked car...should I just take traction off?

 

[STX4Runner]

You're 2005 had a center differential in the transfer case which allowed you to be in 4x4 on dry pavement. Your 2011 does not have this center differential since it's an SR5. You should only use 4x4 on snowy roads or parking lots. When you come to roads with no snow, shift back to 2wd. I hope you haven't damaged anything with all of this parking lot driving. Toyota should really explain this when they sell these things as it seems like a lot of people don't understand part time 4x4 is for offroad or snow only. Not all the time and not rainy roads.

 

[joneseyyy]

Toyota should really explain this when they sell these things as it seems like a lot of people don't understand part time 4x4 is for offroad or snow only. Not all the time and not rainy roads.

I am pretty sure the owners manual provides instructions on how/when to use 4wd. Entertaining that people spend so much $$$ on a vehicle but won't spend an hour or 2 with the manual to understand how to safely operate the vehicle as designed.

 

[DRbyrd]

4x4 Instructions

All Toyota 4x4's from 2003 up have the 4x4 usage instructions printed on a card placed in a plastic window on the back side of the driver's visor. Drop the the visor down and remove the card. It's placed there by Toyota for quick reference.

 

[STX4Runner]

I agree [MENTION=51030]joneseyyy[/MENTION]. I am constantly amazed at how many people want to use 4x4 in rain and think its necessary or will make driving safer. In my opinion 4x4 in rain = useless, 4x4 in snow is helpful, but only if its pretty deep. People need to realize 4x4 only helps get going from a stop in snow. It does not help you slow down, which is the important thing. It kinda scares me that I bought my TE used. I hope the previous owner didn't do stupid stuff like use 4x4 in rain or on pavement. But it was Toyota certified and I have had no issues with it, so I guess its fine.

 

[scott78945]

I have never used 4X4 in rainy weather...unsure where that came from. Apparently I didn't understand the manual that well then. However, it does state that you should engage your 4WD system on a monthly basis, rain or shine, to ensure that the gears stay lubricated. So I do do this. I guess I got used to the V8 in my 2005 with no having to move the 4WD knob at all as it was all time.

 

[STX4Runner]

Sorry, I wasn't saying you were using it in the rain. I think i got off on a rant about other people. But with these part time systems don't use it on pavement unless you are moving in a straight line, and even then not for long. You best bet to try and follow the reccomended 10 miles per month is go find a dirt road and do it there.

 

[cbielat]

After reading this thread, it got me thinking about an experience another customer at a dealer had told me while I overheard his conversation with a tech. I don't know how much or if it would translate into the 4x4 knob selector if this instance were to ever happen. Although this guy's issue was with his climate control knob, I started to think if it could happen with the 4x4 know selector.

One of his climate control knobs in a newer Camry or Carolla and popped off somehow. One would think a simple fix for the solution was to just put a new knob on, but in this instance, that was not feasible. He needed a whole new knob unit including what was behind the knob. This was a $1500 fix! It just made me think that if somehow the 4x4 knob selector ever did break, I'm sure the cost of fixing it would be more than $1500. I think I like the manual 4x4 gear selector.

 

[Bouts]

I definitely prefer the manual shift lever for the 4x4 engagement. One of the other posts referred to the solenoids etc used for the electrical system to engage with a knob, GM has has a long record of problems with their systems. Failures of the solenoids, and the "4x4 service" warning lights coming on in the dash. My 2005 Avalanche was just starting that, expensive fix if you go to the dealer, works out to about $1000 for diagnoses, labor and parts. With the lever it's a mechanical linkage, no fuss no muss! Also, with that bucking etc the OP described, four wheel drive engaged + sharp turns + plus traction on all corners, so little or no wheel slippage = exactly that result. Like the others said, engage it when you need it in the deep snow, low traction circumstances (not rain) then disengage when it's onto pavement or back into a good traction situation.

 

[ZO6_Vette]

I thought that the Shift Lever was also just a switch and did not have linkage to the transfer case.

 

[Jeremy556]

I thought that the Shift Lever was also just a switch and did not have linkage to the transfer case.

It is a direct connection the transfer case.
Both systems do use a front differential disconnect, which is electronically actuated and has been known to fail.