Distance/Time in 4WD??

[VT4RunnerSR5]

Hey everyone

So if you live in the Northeast, like I do, you got slammed by a snow storm last night and this morning. On my, what is usually 45 minute commute on the highway into work, but today took closer to an hour and a half, I was curious how long, either time or distance, people have driven in 4WD. I had mine on for about 20 miles this morning, in the 40-45 MPH range.

The 4runner was a beast on the highway, always impressed how it handles in awful weather.

 

[progress4m]

During this year trip to Moab, I drove around 200 miles on trials in 4WD; I would say half of that distance was in 4WD low.

 

[IASTATE01]

The short answer... you are fine.

Running in 4wd will create a bit of heat, cause some additional wear, and use more gas. None of these are a big deal. My 14 limited is full time 4wd and I pulled a trailer from IA to NH this summer.

The things to remember is don't do it all the time and don't try to do tight turns with it in 4wd. This causes binding and puts a lot more force on parts than anything else you have done.

My old '95 F-150 had manual hubs on the front and during snowy parts of the winter I would leave the hubs locked so that I could instantly have traction if required.... like every stop sign! Doing this meant all driveline parts were turning all the time, the only missing was connection in the transfer case. No problems!

Also, you live in a beautiful place. We were up in Burlington, VT last weekend.

Hey everyone

So if you live in the Northeast, like I do, you got slammed by a snow storm last night and this morning. On my, what is usually 45 minute commute on the highway into work, but today took closer to an hour and a half, I was curious how long, either time or distance, people have driven in 4WD. I had mine on for about 20 miles this morning, in the 40-45 MPH range.

The 4runner was a beast on the highway, always impressed how it handles in awful weather.

 

[Crusifix]

This poses a question that I have had in my mind, because I have seen differing answers in the owners manuals over the years...or no answer at all. What is the top speed we can maintain in 4H?

 

[jhguth]

there isn't one, just a max speed to engage 4wd

 

[scanny]

Longest I drove in 4WD is probably about 8 hrs when trail apperead to be in worse condition then we expected. Longest distance was when I drove for over 300 miles to Quebec during snow storm, could be close to 8 hrs as well. Fastest speed in 4WD was over 60mph.

 

[VT4RunnerSR5]

Longest I drove in 4WD is probably about 8 hrs when trail apperead to be in worse condition then we expected. Longest distance was when I drove for over 300 miles to Quebec during snow storm, could be close to 8 hrs as well. Fastest speed in 4WD was over 60mph.

That's awesome! Love seeing stories like this!

I should mention that I wasn't concerned about the distance or speed for my trip this morning, just starting a discussion on this snowy, nobody in the office, Friday.

 

[thennen]

This poses a question that I have had in my mind, because I have seen differing answers in the owners manuals over the years...or no answer at all. What is the top speed we can maintain in 4H?

55mph according to what I have read.

 

[Crusifix]

55mph according to what I have read.

That is the baseline that I have come across as well.

 

[mtnbiker49]

No issues with length of time in 4wd, though I still switch to 2wd when parking for the night. Just don't use 4wd on bare or wet pavement.

 

[thennen]

That is the baseline that I have come across as well.

Kinda makes sense.

 

[IanB]

The short answer... you are fine.

Running in 4wd will create a bit of heat, cause some additional wear, and use more gas. None of these are a big deal. My 14 limited is full time 4wd and I pulled a trailer from IA to NH this summer.

The things to remember is don't do it all the time and don't try to do tight turns with it in 4wd. This causes binding and puts a lot more force on parts than anything else you have done.

Another Ltd. owner here, and I just wanted to point out that what Toyota calls "Full Time 4WD" = AWD which is the normal operating mode on the Ltd. trim trucks, then you have the option to turn the dial to the H4L mode which locks the center differential, putting you into 4x4 like what the OP is talking about.

The comments about tight turns and binding drivelines only applies to 4x4 operation. You don't want to operate in high traction conditions in 4x4 for these reason. This might be obvious to some, but it really seems to confuse others so I just wanted to put it out there.

 

[catrains]

driving on wet solid pavement is not a problem for a long trip.
the problem on wear with it in 4WD is , using it on solid dry pavement and tires must be rotated and all the same size and wear... rotation as mentioned in manual , as a very frequent maintenance..

check tire air pressures also ..

 

[MTN4RNR]

This poses a question that I have had in my mind, because I have seen differing answers in the owners manuals over the years...or no answer at all. What is the top speed we can maintain in 4H?

55mph according to what I have read.

55mph is the maximum engagement speed recommended. Once engaged, you're good to go. Earlier this year I held steady 70+ mph in 4HI crossing the Black Rock Playa for about 35 miles because it had rained about 4 days before we got there. Going slow was not an option.

 

[MrGainzz]

You just made me decide not to trade in my Ltd for a trd since winter is 8-9 months in my city and we just had a storm this morning.
My ltd feels like a tank on the roads with Nokian winter tires.


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[dlongoria3880]

14 HRS from Ouray, Co to Amarillo, Tx during a snow storm. Max speed was 60Mph. Average speed around 40Mph.

This past Monday drove my 4Runner instead of my company provided Silverado. Snow and ice the whole way, a one hour trip took two and a half hours. 4WD the whole way max speed 45Mph.

 

[mtnbiker49]

driving on wet solid pavement is not a problem for a long trip.
the problem on wear with it in 4WD is , using it on solid dry pavement and tires must be rotated and all the same size and wear... rotation as mentioned in manual , as a very frequent maintenance..

check tire air pressures also ..

That's not sound advice. You don't use 4x4 for rainy conditions and especially not for a long trip. Not sure why people have this big issue with turning a knob. Road turning snowy: turn the knob to 4 high. No more snow: turn knob to 2wd.

If you cannot do that, get a limited and have AWD that can be driven in any conditions.

 

[catrains]

That's not sound advice. You don't use 4x4 for rainy conditions and especially not for a long trip. Not sure why people have this big issue with turning a knob. Road turning snowy: turn the knob to 4 high. No more snow: turn knob to 2wd.

If you cannot do that, get a limited and have AWD that can be driven in any conditions.

depends on what road your on ... and how hard the rain is falling ..

no need to use 4WD in a light rain on flat roads. some roads with heavy rain you will need better traction so 4WD.

If the road surface condition requires 4wd why would some drive at high speeds not too good.

no problem with these on wet/snow surfaces in 4wd.
Not good advice , that's your opinion .. many have had , no issues using 4wd on wet/snow covered road.
Because these vehicles do require 4wd to be operated periodically,I do put the vehicle in 4wd when it rains out .. then what I noticed is , it pops into 4wd much much faster than when the vehicle was new.. but I exercise the 4WD in rain only for a mile or so ... engagement now works faster.. some say this should be done every month or so ..

AWD is not to my liking ...

 

[Redsoxx1918]

Hey everyone



So if you live in the Northeast, like I do, you got slammed by a snow storm last night and this morning. On my, what is usually 45 minute commute on the highway into work, but today took closer to an hour and a half, I was curious how long, either time or distance, people have driven in 4WD. I had mine on for about 20 miles this morning, in the 40-45 MPH range.



The 4runner was a beast on the highway, always impressed how it handles in awful weather.

I’m from the northeast as well. I work the 3-11pm shift and we had at least 6” on the ground when I got out of work and it was still coming down hard. Everyone at work was complaining and was worried about the drive home. I was all excited like a kid on Christmas and looking forward to the drive. I like a good foot or more. It makes driving the 4Runner fun. That thing is like a tank in the snow.


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[CF_Machete]

That's not sound advice. You don't use 4x4 for rainy conditions and especially not for a long trip. Not sure why people have this big issue with turning a knob. Road turning snowy: turn the knob to 4 high. No more snow: turn knob to 2wd.

If you cannot do that, get a limited and have AWD that can be driven in any conditions.

That is garbage. If you hydroplane in 4-wheel drive, you will be able to right yourself much faster and not slip out. Try that in two-wheel drive and you're probably in for a ride that you did not intend. Additionally, you want to cycle through 4 wheel drive monthly to keep everything lubed up. I throw it in 4-wheel when it rains, approximately 15 minutes per month.

We're talking about four wheel drive here, not a locking differential, which you should not engage On Pavement unless you're Crossing a flooded Road or heading up or down an icy Hill as a last resort.