Distance/Time in 4WD??

[mtnbiker49]

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.

If you are hydroplaning, the first thing you do is let off the accelerator. 4wd will not help with that. Point being, if you are having to use 4wd on road during rain in order to be “safe”, then you are driving too fast for conditions.

I’d rather buy a 4x4 that was never engaged than one that was used on road.

 

[Engineer]

I’d rather buy a 4x4 that was never engaged than one that was used on road.

I wouldn't

 

[CF_Machete]

If you are hydroplaning, the first thing you do is let off the accelerator. 4wd will not help with that. Point being, if you are having to use 4wd on road during rain in order to be “safe”, then you are driving too fast for conditions.

I’d rather buy a 4x4 that was never engaged than one that was used on road.

How to handle hydroplaneing is not the issue point. The same vehicle will preform better in 4wd.

Whats your logic to not using 4wd? All I've seen are oppinions. Your differentials will still slip in moderate turns.

 

[4_YOTA]

As recommended in the 4runner owner manual

Four-wheel drive usage frequency:
You should drive in four-wheel drive for at least 10 miles (16 km) each month.
This will assure that the front drive components are lubricated

 

[nb rob]

I had mine in 4hi for days on the trans Labrador trail, and again last winter during a blizzard that lasted for days. I use it whenever I want, and I will be happy to replace parts if required.

But it’s a Toyota, so I haven’t had to.

There are loads of videos of guys chirping up rocks in 4lo in Moab. Driving on wet pavement isn’t going to break anything. Hell, I could do donuts until I’m dizzy on wet pavement and the only thing on my mind will be ujoints needing some love sooner than later.

 

[MTN4RNR]

A good set of tires will help a lot more than 4wd in rainy conditions. That being said, you won't break anything driving in the rain in 4wd. You'll just need to replace your already worn tires sooner.

 

[LandCruiser]

If there's a blizzard, I'll leave 4x4 on during my 20 mile commute to work which includes highway driving up to 55mph. I think last year there was a week I didn't turn it off.

 

[pDubs]

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.

This doesn't make any sense. You start hydroplaning, you let off the gas.

Tires are 100% the only factor that you can change that will affect how this scenario goes. Being in 4wd will do absolutely nothing.

 

[jhguth]

How to handle hydroplaneing is not the issue point. The same vehicle will preform better in 4wd.

Whats your logic to not using 4wd? All I've seen are oppinions. Your differentials will still slip in moderate turns.

Its locked front to rear, which means you're scrubbing tires anytime you turn (which actually means less grip, not more)

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[Decipher]

As recommended in the 4runner owner manual



Four-wheel drive usage frequency:

You should drive in four-wheel drive for at least 10 miles (16 km) each month.

This will assure that the front drive components are lubricated

Great post. I’m willing to bet a majority of people don’t do that, myself included prior to reading this.

Also, make sure you’re properly maintaining your driveline and fluids.


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[JayceeP]

I’m not aware of a top speed in 4H????? As mentioned, just avoid dry pavement and sharp turns if you are on a non-slippery surface (also in the manual).

As for engaging 4wd the owners manual clearly states either 50mph or 62 mph depending on whether you have the dial or the lever. I have full-time 4wd in my limited so not a problem but I much prefer locking the center-dif when the roads are covered in snow which would be the same as when you manually engage 4wd from 2wd. Way better control and feel.

See page 235: https://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om-s/OM35B46U/pdf/OM35B46U.pdf

 

[MrGainzz]

I’m not aware of a top speed in 4H????? As mentioned, just avoid dry pavement and sharp turns if you are on a non-slippery surface (also in the manual).



As for engaging 4wd the owners manual clearly states either 50mph or 62 mph depending on whether you have the dial or the lever. I have full-time 4wd in my limited so not a problem but I much prefer locking the center-dif when the roads are covered in snow which would be the same as when you manually engage 4wd from 2wd. Way better control and feel.



See page 235: https://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om-s/OM35B46U/pdf/OM35B46U.pdf

Do you always engage H4L when there’s ice on the roads? I’ve noticed my Ltd is never able to be completely stopped when there’s a bit of ice mixed with snow on the roads and ABS always kicks in which makes me nervous because I almost hit the car in front of me and I have winter tires on.
I wonder if H4L would help with the traction.


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[4_YOTA]

I never read in the owners manual any mention to top speed with 4H, there's a maximum engagement speed but not top speed.

Regardless of that, if you need 4H you should't be driving at very high speed

 

[Megalodon]

This doesn't make any sense. You start hydroplaning, you let off the gas.

Tires are 100% the only factor that you can change that will affect how this scenario goes. Being in 4wd will do absolutely nothing.

Bingo. How does having power to the front wheels help hydroplaning in rain? Unless you’re accelerating awd/fwd/rwd doesn’t matter.

I live in Denver area and kick 4x4 on when there’s snow on the road until I get on the highway or a situation I know I won’t be stopping and starting.

Part time 4x4 in the rain is dumb and probably more dangerous by giving people a false sense of confidence because they don’t understand their car and the road conditions.

 

[CF_Machete]

Its locked front to rear, which means you're scrubbing tires anytime you turn (which actually means less grip, not more)

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no, that would be lockers.

coming out of a hydro plane or sliding situation, power in your front wheels will pull you in the right direction faster and with more control than rear wheel drive only.

 

[mtnbiker49]

All I can say is WOW. I'm glad I was taught correctly and can safely drive my vehicle.

 

[jhguth]

no, that would be lockers.

coming out of a hydro plane or sliding situation, power in your front wheels will pull you in the right direction faster and with more control than rear wheel drive only.

no.

4wd locks the front and rear, there is no center differential. when you turn each wheel follows a different arc - so all 4 wheels have a different speed. when you are locked front to rear that means that you are going to have wheels scrubbing, and on wet pavement that means less traction not more. your tires shouldn't have any problem with traction on wet pavement, if you have a traction issue on wet pavement you need new/better tires. the limited has a center differential when it is in standard AWD mode, otherwise 4wd locks the front and rear together. The limited in 4WD mode (not AWD) operates the same as the other models in 4WD, that function is often described as "part-time 4WD" where as the limited in AWD mode is often described as "full-time 4WD"

 

[Runn4est]

no.

4wd locks the front and rear, there is no center differential. when you turn each wheel follows a different arc - so all 4 wheels have a different speed. when you are locked front to rear that means that you are going to have wheels scrubbing, and on wet pavement that means less traction not more. your tires shouldn't have any problem with traction on wet pavement, if you have a traction issue on wet pavement you need new/better tires. the limited has a center differential when it is in standard AWD mode, otherwise 4wd locks the front and rear together. The limited in 4WD mode (not AWD) operates the same as the other models in 4WD, that function is often described as "part-time 4WD" where as the limited in AWD mode is often described as "full-time 4WD"

H4L and L4L sends 50/50 power front and rear. The front and rear diffs themselves are still open unless you have the rear e locker.

 

[JayceeP]

Do you always engage H4L when there’s ice on the roads? I’ve noticed my Ltd is never able to be completely stopped when there’s a bit of ice mixed with snow on the roads and ABS always kicks in which makes me nervous because I almost hit the car in front of me and I have winter tires on.
I wonder if H4L would help with the traction.


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Not always but I do it a lot. It will add no benefit to stopping but it will help with driving. I am not an expert but, basically when you are NOT in H4L i.e. H4H power will get sent to the wheels that have less traction which can actually be counter productive. H4L is 50/50 power front to back obviously because the diff is locked. It turns the 4Runner into a snow tank if you have good winter tires.

My understanding is H4L would be the same as when you manually engage 4wd from 2wd. This was the set up in my Jeep Wrangler and it felt so good in the snow vs the 4Runner. Once I understood H4L in the 4Runner it gave me the same comfort.

 

[jaywhy66]

No limit if you need it

30 miles in 6 inches of snow in 4Lo