Engaging 4wd H

[banker1]

I'm usually driving when engaging 4WD H (in a straight line under 40 mph) as that is what I was told to do from the dealer...

Can I engage 4WD H from a parking spot without moving the car? The reason I ask is I think we are getting some snow up north (car is at the tain station, didn't have heat last night at my place so stayed at the parents house, that's a different story all together). I didn't engage 4WD before parking and am hoping I can engage it without driving around... hope I'm making sense.

 

[p nut]

You can engage it in park or driving around. Sometimes, it won't go into 4WD right away and driving forward or backward helps to put it in 4WD. But I put mine in 4WD from a standstill all the time. Just make sure the green light stays lit and you're in 4WD.

Also, you can go up to 62MPH when switching to 4WD, not 40MPH.

 

[Methodical]

i sometimes get a grinding when engaging at speed... is that normal?

 

[p nut]

No. I never get a grinding sound. What year 4Runner do you have? Is yours a push-button 4WD?

 

[Methodical]

an 04 v6.

ive only had it a couple months. I recently changed the transaxle fluid and it looked great. Does anyone know how the differential is brought up to speed when engaging 4x4? Because when in 2wheel, it doesn't move. So something has to bring it up to speed...

 

[rgcary]

Thoughts on your transfer case:

I just change both differential fluids and the transfer case with 75w-90 mobil 1 gear fluid. I bought the 05 4runner limited v6 4wd w/only 2000 miles on it. The fluid in the transfer case was about 1qt low from the factory. I was amazed and have been driving around like that for 34,000 miles. Might want to check yours.

 

[4by4th]

I have a V6 04 and have never heard any sound at all while changing in or out of 4 WD.

 

[jharris2]

i sometimes get a grinding when engaging at speed... is that normal?

You might get a noise or some jerking if you try to engage 4WD while the steering wheel is turned. If the steering wheel is straight (even if moving) then I've never had any noise while engaging 4WD.