Do you guys use H4 when on wet pavement?

[Gavin S.]

I am new to 4WD and was reading my owners manual and it suggests using H4 when it's raining.

 

[EDGE]

The V8 is always in 4H so yes

 

[sharp4runr]

I am new to 4WD and was reading my owners manual and it suggests using H4 when it's raining.

If you have the V6 (I do), then I switch when the rain is really heavy. If its just a light rain, I don't worry about leaving it in 2WD. The ATRAC/VSC/EBD/ABS will take care of you...

 

[TranceKrayz]

you can use H4 all the time. it can work like a full-time 4wd system if you don't want to have to keep shifting it. 2wd will give you better fuel econ. and some say it handles better in 2wd on dry pavement, but i have yet to notice it.

 

[<<<<]

Wet dry or snow, also any speed(4H in D and diff unlocked)...

 

[jharris2]

I use it if I feel the streets are slippery -- either a very light rain or really heavy rain. Light rain because it tends to make the oil rise and be very slippery until it washes off. Very heavy rains for obvious reasons.

Over the weekend, I tested the Revos in heavy rains on the freeway and the 4Runner ran like it was on tracks -- it was amazing.

 

[Gavin S.]

I should mention that my 4R is 3rd gen, does that

make a difference?

 

[servo_fan]

Since you have a 3rd gen you should probably not run 4H on pavement, even in the rain. Your tires should have all the grip they need even on wet pavement and as such running in 4H could result in binding, etc.

 

[pat161]

It is ok to use the 4hi in rain, key words with part time system are dry pavement, when it's raining the pavement isn't dry. The wet road conditions will be enough to allow some slippage between front and back. Also you are only going to bind up around corners when the tires are trying to spin at different speeds, stariaght shot down the road you could be in 4wd anytime w/ no problems. It seems like the 4th gen owners love pointing out the limitations of the 3rd gens, which they don't really understand.

 

[servo_fan]

I agree that 4H on dry pavement is obviously a no-no, but in my experience, (with my 3rd gen 4Runner), wet pavement caused by rain does not allow for enough slippage to be able to safely use 4H. I mentioned binding for the same reasons you did - it would be a very rare situation where you'd be driving in the rain and not need to make turns.

 

[pat161]

As he posted, the owners manual suggests 4hi on rainy roads. I personally never use 4wd unless I really need it, certainly never in the rain, only on wintry roads and off pavement. 4hi in the rain is not ideal but it does allow adequate slippage to prevent driveline damage.

 

[zach34]

I only throw it into 4WD when the precipitation is frozen.