can i leave my V6 sport in 4HI all the time?

[Jacobzky]

just use it on a regular basis, might as well.
but is it ok? any consequences?

is acelleration better with the 4HI engaged?

 

[mikestang]

Well, the v8's are always in 4Hi, so I doubt it would hurt anything... but since you can switch on the fly up to 55mph, why?

 

[Jacobzky]

good follow up question.

my freeway speeds goes up to 90 at times but normally between 70-80mph. just a little curoius if there is any consequences running at these speeds with 4HI. that is why i asked. only thing i know it eats a little more gas.

 

[Thai]

good follow up question.

my freeway speeds goes up to 90 at times but normally between 70-80mph. just a little curoius if there is any consequences running at these speeds with 4HI. that is why i asked. only thing i know it eats a little more gas.

The old Infiniti QX4 had issues with running "Auto 4wd" at high speed. But, back to your question, i have not heard of any issue regarding this. When i had my '02 4runner (with the same 4wd system as you), i ran 4HI often at highway speed.

 

[Offroader]

Unless you have a V8 with full time 4WD, it's not a good idea to use 4H on paved roads.

4H is designed to be used on unpaved roads.

It's okay to use it in a straight line, but as long as you turn, wear and tear happens on paved roads, since the wheels cannot slip.

 

[Baba Booey]

Unless you have a V8 with full time 4WD, it's not a good idea to use 4H on paved roads.

4H is designed to be used on unpaved roads.

It's okay to use it in a straight line, but as long as you turn, wear and tear happens on paved roads, since the wheels cannot slip.

The "Multi-Mode" 4WD system used in the V6 4Runner is nearly identical to the full-time system used in the V8 except that it is 2WD selectable. The same Torsen center differential that enables the V8 to be used full-time is also used on the V6.

My understanding is that the V6 can be driven in the exact same way that the V8 can be driven in 4WD, which is full-time at all speeds, even on dry, paved roads.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Why do you want it on all the time? It just sucks more gas.

 

[Offroader]

The "Multi-Mode" 4WD system used in the V6 4Runner is nearly identical to the full-time system used in the V8 except that it is 2WD selectable. The same Torsen center differential that enables the V8 to be used full-time is also used on the V6.

My understanding is that the V6 can be driven in the exact same way that the V8 can be driven in 4WD, which is full-time at all speeds, even on dry, paved roads.

Okey, you're right, my bare-bones diesel 4Runner doesn't have a Torsen center differential, so I can't use 4WD on paved roads.

Since the manual recommends 12 kilometers a month in 4WD mode, I engage it on rainy days.

Yes, you can drive at any speed on 4H, but, at least in my case, the transfer between 2H and 4H can't be done above 100 kph.

 

[Baba Booey]

Yes, you can drive at any speed on 4H, but, at least in my case, the transfer between 2H and 4H can't be done above 100 kph.

That's a great point to remember. I am nearly certain that my owner's manual says not to switch into 4WD above 62 mph, which is equal to 100 kph.

 

[OUTRNNR]

A member called Sharp4runr has a spreadsheet that keeps track of his fuel mileage painstakingly in a spreadsheet. He reported not too long ago that he wanted to see if leaving it in 4WD made a large difference. By the looks of his spreadsheet, he did 4 tanks in 4WD in his V6 and averaged 16.964 mpg. His average for his entire spreadsheet is 16.986 mpg. So I don't think you're really going to see much of a fuel mileage difference simply by having the front wheels engaged. Remember too, that the engine sends most of the torque to the rear wheels when the center dif is unlocked, which will reduce the effect of the driving the front wheels even more.

 

[Baba Booey]

Remember too, that the engine sends most of the torque to the rear wheels when the center dif is unlocked, which will reduce the effect of the driving the front wheels even more.

Another good point to remember here. Although you can use the V6 as a full-time 4WD, be certain that you do not lock the center differential while driving on a dry surface.

It may be only my imagination, but I believe the 4Runner feels slightly lighter on its feet when I drive it in 2WD versus 4WD on the highway. In addition, I seem to notice a very slight feeling of wheel and/or drivetrain "vibration" (for lack of a better term) when driving in 4WD that I do not notice while in 2WD. It isn't enough to be concerned with at all, and I am not even sure if it's real or imagined.

 

[Jacobzky]

Why do you want it on all the time? It just sucks more gas.

Not that i want to leave it engaged all the time, i am just really curious about "what if". and one time i forgot to switch back to 2HI.

 

[boston_kevin]

I run every 3rd tank in 4Hi which equates to roughly 390 miles out of every 1250 miles regardless of road conditions. No worries leaving it in 4Hi all the time, but you will see a slight loss of MPG (less than 1 mpg in my case). Just be sure to switch into or out of 4WD at speeds under 62 mph (I only switch at speeds under 50) and don't hit that center diff lock.

Baba Booey - I totally agree with you about it feeling a little more nimble in 2WD mode.

 

[Fred MaN]

Another good point to remember here. Although you can use the V6 as a full-time 4WD, be certain that you do not lock the center differential while driving on a dry surface.

It may be only my imagination, but I believe the 4Runner feels slightly lighter on its feet when I drive it in 2WD versus 4WD on the highway. In addition, I seem to notice a very slight feeling of wheel and/or drivetrain "vibration" (for lack of a better term) when driving in 4WD that I do not notice while in 2WD. It isn't enough to be concerned with at all, and I am not even sure if it's real or imagined.

It was rainning quite good here in the Northeast today and I left her in 4WD no dif lock mode and you are right about the slight vibration in the wheel and the stearing seems like it gets tighter on mine as well.

 

[GMZ]

It is completely safe to leave it in 4H. The manual says so, although this doesnt make it gospel! I dont have the page info handy, but its in the 4wd section. Both 2H and 4H can be used on dry paved roads. I feel the same feelings in the steering as the others, I think its just tq feedback (my own term ) from the front wheels when they have some of the engine torque applied. I havent driven more than say 100 mi on 4H so I cant really comment on the mpg issue, but others have. I have been tracking my mpg since the first tank also, yes I have OCD!! I have averaged 20.2 mpg actual calculated mpg (60%hwy/40%city)in the 6 tanks Ive ran through my 4R.

 

[Uneek]

It may be only my imagination, but I believe the 4Runner feels slightly lighter on its feet when I drive it in 2WD versus 4WD on the highway. In addition, I seem to notice a very slight feeling of wheel and/or drivetrain "vibration" (for lack of a better term) when driving in 4WD that I do not notice while in 2WD. It isn't enough to be concerned with at all, and I am not even sure if it's real or imagined.

It's not you... the steering feels heavier and stiffer when it's in 4H. I can definately tell when it's in 4H vs. 2H. I don't recall noticing the heavy feeling when I test drove a V8 4WD.

 

[Fro-Runner]

OF COURSE you CAN leave your V-6 4Runner in 4-HI all the time. I put my truck in 4hi in November and then back to 2hi in March every year. The rainy season is from Nov-Feb here in southern Califunky!

 

[Iron Clad Lou]

I believe the manual also states you should run it in 4H at least 10miles a month...it rides nice is 4H!

 

[sharp4runr]

As OUTRNNR mentioned, I tracked my mileage in 2WD and 4Hi and saw no considerable difference one way or another. You can see my results in my signature. I can definitely tell when 4WD is engaged versus 2WD and to be honest I prefer 2WD for everyday driving. Like mentioned above, it is suggested to put it in 4WD at least 10 miles a month and I believe to switch to 4LO every 6 months or so. I guess it just keeps things lubricated...

 

[HAfrica13]

UNEEK: It's not you... the steering feels heavier and stiffer when it's in 4H. I can definately tell when it's in 4H vs. 2H. I don't recall noticing the heavy feeling when I test drove a V8 4WD.

The V8 feels the same way as the V6 in 4hi. My sister has an 03 V8 so when i drive her car i deffinately notice the heavy handling compared to the nimble 2hi on my 05 V6.