Can I use H4 on street road?

[CatchMoreFish]

I bought a 2007 4Runner recently. I did test drives in two dealerships. Both sales told (warmed) me that I should never drive it with H4 on dry road surface. They said it will damage the transmission. I can only use it on ice/snow road. Is this true?

I was reading the driver manual. It says I can drive it on city road with H4 on. And, most important, I should use it occassionaly to get it lubricated. Am I wrong? How about that 'central differencial lock' switch?

Thanks for your input to the nb.

 

[Baba Booey]

You can drive your 4Runner in 4H for as long as you want - even permanently - on the highway. Just be sure to NOT lock the differential on-road and follow the other instructions regarding shifting into and out of 4H.

 

[CatchMoreFish]

You can drive your 4Runner in 4H for as long as you want - even permanently - on the highway. Just be sure to NOT lock the differential on-road and follow the other instructions regarding shifting into and out of 4H.

'Not lock the differential' - does it mean don't press that button?

 

[Baba Booey]

Yes. Do NOT press the center diff lock button when on-road. When in 4H with the center diff unlocked, you will see a green-colored indicator light on the instrument panel. If you lock the center diff, a yellow-colored indicator light will also appear in your instrument cluster just below the green one.

You do NOT want the center diff locked when on-road; therefore, only the green indicator light should appear.

I think one of the best things to do would be to wait for some snow or find some rain-soaked, wet leaf-covered dirt road and spend some time getting comfortable with your 4WD system. Be sure to go over the instructions carefully (e.g. switching to 4LO only while stopped and tranny in neutral, DAC system, etc.).

 

[sharp4runr]

Also you want to drive in 4WD at least 10 miles a month to keep things lubricated. Also you want to switch to 4LO every 6 months again for the same reasons. It's all in the manual, I suggest reading it to get all the info.

 

[spud72]

I bought a 2007 4Runner recently. I did test drives in two dealerships. Both sales told (warmed) me that I should never drive it with H4 on dry road surface.

I know salespeople get trashed all the time, but that pisses me off. At least know your product. It's not like Toyota sales people have to memorize 500 different vehicles. Come on.

 

[TechWrench]

I bought a 2007 4Runner recently. I did test drives in two dealerships. Both sales told (warmed) me that I should never drive it with H4 on dry road surface. They said it will damage the transmission. I can only use it on ice/snow road. Is this true?

I was reading the driver manual. It says I can drive it on city road with H4 on. And, most important, I should use it occassionaly to get it lubricated. Am I wrong? How about that 'central differencial lock' switch?

Thanks for your input to the nb.

As others have said, no problem using 4H on pavement. But, I believe the differential lock only works when in 4L, not 4H. Check your manual.

 

[sharp4runr]

You can still lock the center diff in 4H.

 

[TechWrench]

You can still lock the center diff in 4H.

Your right, I stand corrected:bowdown:

I guess I should read the manual more myself.........:biggrin2:

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Is driving with the center diff locked in 4hi the same as me driving with my truck in 4hi? You don't want to be in real 4wd mode on dry pavement but the mode that is like AWD is ok.

My mom's '99 has the multi mode auto and she never uses it in the dry (mostly overkill) but she uses the part time 4wd for wet pavement and snow;I don't think she ever uses true 4wd anymore unless the snow is really deep.

 

[jharris2]

Also you want to switch to 4LO every 6 months again for the same reasons.

I didn't know that ... and I read the manual (or some of it).

 

[tonybaloney]

I didn't know that ... and I read the manual (or some of it).

i also didn't see this. can anyone confirm?

 

[sharp4runr]

Sorry, my statement about switching to 4LO was NOT in the manual. I spoke to a tech at the dealership and he mentioned doing it as a precaution. He mentioned it when I asked him about driving in H4 every month. I guess my brain just combined those two statements to be in the manual.

I figure it's good preventive maintenance especially since I don't normally go into 4LO. I think I've used it only a few times. Once when I got the truck just to try it out and another when we all went out to Rausch Creek.

 

[Speedy Gomez]

You can drive your 4Runner in 4H for as long as you want - even permanently - on the highway.

So guys, is this true? I could leave the 4H engaged permanently and drive at any speed I want? :suspicious:

 

[KidVermicious]

So guys, is this true? I could leave the 4H engaged permanently and drive at any speed I want? :suspicious:

No, not you. Everyone else can. You're not allowed to use 4wd at all until you spend at least another two years on the board welcoming noobs and posting irrelevant JPGs you found on Google image search.

 

[Speedy Gomez]

No, not you. Everyone else can. You're not allowed to use 4wd at all until you spend at least another two years on the board welcoming noobs and posting irrelevant JPGs you found on Google image search.

 

[Martinjmpr]

So guys, is this true? I could leave the 4H engaged permanently and drive at any speed I want? :suspicious:

Your signature says you have a 2014. If that's true then no, you don't have a center diff so if you put it in 4wd on a dry paved road you can damage the drivetrain.

All 4WD 4th gen 4runners have the center diff. In the 5th gen the only ones that have it are the Limiteds. All other 5th gens have a conventional 4wd transfer case like Toyota had prior to 1999.

 

[Lolrax]

So guys, is this true? I could leave the 4H engaged permanently and drive at any speed I want? :suspicious:

Not on a 5th gen SR5, they went cheap on the 4WD system for the 5th gen (except for limited) so you have a system that can still bind on dry pavement.

 

[Speedy Gomez]

Having read the manual from cover to cover and not finding the answers regarding 4HI driving, I decided to call Toyota customer service late today to clarify. Here are the answers I got from Toyota:

(1) What is the maximum speed to drive in 4HI?
It is ok to drive at the posted speed limit in 4HI (including highway speeds).

(2) Is it ok to steer the vehicle while in 4HI?
It is ok to steer the vehicle.

(3) Is it ok to drive the in 4HI in dry concrete/asphalt?
It is ok, but it is advised to drive in 4Hi in wet or snowy conditions on concrete

I asked if I can be referred to a manual or document, or even emailed the answers. Toyota said no, but the details of my call are logged.