"exercising" 2014 part time 4wd in ca?

[buddeelee]

Hi Everyone,

I just purchased a 2014 SR5 and I read in the owners manual last night that you should use the 4wd (hi4) at least 10 miles a month to keep everything in working order. I understand that you probably shouldn't use the 4WD on pavement because there is no center diff on the SR5 (or TE for that matter), but what if I just went straight?

Can you use the 4wd mode as long as you're driving on long straight pavement (no turning...)? and does it really have to be 10 miles?

Do I also need to periodically use the Lo4 mode?

I live in CA so dirt roads are not the easiest to come by, but I still want to keep my 4runner in great shape! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[VoodooTitan]

There are a lot of places east of LA, south of LA, or even in LA you can exercise the 4x4. It is recommended to do this though.

The reason for engaging the 4x4 system is to keep everything lubricated and from malfunctioning down the road, even though the likelihood of that happening isn't very common. Think of it a preventive maintenance. Better to do it than not.

 

[3wbdriver]

I'm thinking running it in 4wd on dry pavement would not be good. Think of it this way. It gives you an excuse to find some dirt within an hour's drive of you to plan for 1 weekend a month! Or can you drive on a beach near you? The 4lo stuff lubes the same components as 4hi, so that's not problem. Their point is you need to put it in 4wd periodically to keep everything lubed. Even if it's just running down a dirt road in a national park.

 

[VoodooTitan]

stupid question of the day

I'm thinking running it in 4wd on dry pavement would not be good. Think of it this way. It gives you an excuse to find some dirt within an hour's drive of you to plan for 1 weekend a month! Or can you drive on a beach near you? The 4lo stuff lubes the same components as 4hi, so that's not problem. Their point is you need to put it in 4wd periodically to keep everything lubed. Even if it's just running down a dirt road in a national park.

Is there an instance in which you could safely operate the 4x4 on flat pavement?

 

[2014 Warthog]

Is there an instance in which you could safely operate the 4x4 on flat pavement?

As long as you are driving straight it's ok. Changing lanes is ok. Making a right or left turn at a signal is not so hot. It wont instantly destroy anything unless it was 90% broken already.

Just don't shift in and out of it above 50. If I know I'm going to be going on a straight road for a couple miles I'll occasionally just flip it on, then off again before I need to turn. No big deal!

ALTHOUGH, since you have a 4x4, you should go find some back country dirt at least once a month anyway!! Get this book Backcountry Adventures: Southern California: Peter Massey, Jeanne Wilson: 9781930193048: Amazon.com: Books

 

[1engineer]

Dry pavement and part time 4WD is no problem, provided you don't make "parking lot" turns for any long duration. Engaging your 4WD while driving on dry pavement roads is not going to hurt anything. Even driving on roads with curves is fine. I wouldn't drive around in 4WD doing doughnuts on a dry parking lot nor would I drive through a city where 90 degree turns are the norm though. A normal, two lane or 4 lane highway is fine.

 

[VoodooTitan]

Dry pavement and part time 4WD is no problem, provided you don't make "parking lot" turns for any long duration. Engaging your 4WD while driving on dry pavement roads is not going to hurt anything. Even driving on roads with curves is fine. I wouldn't drive around in 4WD doing doughnuts on a dry parking lot nor would I drive through a city where 90 degree turns are the norm though. A normal, two lane or 4 lane highway is fine.

Thank god. I just swallowed my shame and PM'd you. Because when I drove to Colorado we used 4H to get through Missouri when it started to snow. I panicked and was like, aw man... but that's a relief to hear. At the time I figured better safe than sorry. Didn't want to hit black ice or a snow storm. We pulled out of a park that we stopped at to let the dogs out to do their buisness and when I was pulling out of the parking lot I noticed the struggle from the steering when the wheel was turned too far.

 

[1engineer]

Thank god. I just swallowed my shame and PM'd you. Because when I drove to Colorado we used 4H to get through Missouri when it started to snow. I panicked and was like, aw man... but that's a relief to hear. At the time I figured better safe than sorry. Didn't want to hit black ice or a snow storm. We pulled out of a park that we stopped at to let the dogs out to do their buisness and when I was pulling out of the parking lot I noticed the struggle from the steering when the wheel was turned too far.

No problem man. You think the coefficient of adhesion (the multiplier used in calculations for vehicle traction) is much different from the rocks in Moab versus dry pavement? It's not. The guys use 4WD there right? You didn't damage it and there are no worries.

 

[DigableKid]

I live in CA so dirt roads are not the easiest to come by, but I still want to keep my 4runner in great shape! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Where in L.A. do you live?

 

[3wbdriver]

Well hush my mouth and color me jaded. I was taught long ago not to use 4wd on dry pavement because it puts the transfer case in a bind. I even remember occasionally needing to reverse a few feet if I forgot before I could shift it out of 4wd because of the bind on the shift linkage. Live and learn.

 

[buddeelee]

Where in L.A. do you live?

I live in the San Fernando Valley, North LA county.

I'm thinking about checking out Hungry Valley SVRA this weekend (about an hour away in Gorman).

When I don't have time to head to the dirt, I guess I'll just turn it on for a bit on the pavement straights.

Thanks for the advice everyone!

 

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I live in the San Fernando Valley, North LA county.

I'm thinking about checking out Hungry Valley SVRA this weekend (about an hour away in Gorman).

When I don't have time to head to the dirt, I guess I'll just turn it on for a bit on the pavement straights.

Thanks for the advice everyone!

I just did Hungry Valley this weekend.. definately make a trip up there and goof around.