Gear questions - Reducing wear on clutch

[pedkro]

Hey guys.

So have been driving around for a few days now and everything is great. However I have to say that i am uncomfortable with how much wear I have to impose on the clutch when exiting my parking garage (steep incline.) I guess thats what happens when you have a 120 hp engine in a 4000 lbs truck.

Anyways, I figure that shifting to 4HI wont accomplish anything to assist me, as you are just basically using "more" moving parts now, and load on clutch will actually increase. Its not like the tires are slipping in 2HI

However, shifting to 4LO is a good way to save my clutch?

Is it even a good idea to be shifting in and out of 4x4 in a high friction parking garage? I have definitely tried to figure this out through the manual and the forums, but I am having some difficulty convincing myself.

I have a 1990 with ADD.

 

[Barnaby]

If your clutch is fully engaged it shouldn't have any real wear from driving a steep incline. If it's slipping then you have other issues to work on.

 

[pedkro]

no slipping, you need to do a hill start to get out of the garage.

so my question is really:

if you put it in 4lo, will this reduce wear on clutch when doing a hill start. And can I actually do this in a dry parking garage. Confused about the characteristics of the drive train.

 

[fishrod]

So your car is parked on the angle? Or is it parked flat and you eventually come to the exit which has the steep incline?

2lo would probably save your clutch. As long as you drive in a straight line it shoudnt damage the rest of the drive train.

Would be a PITA having to do that everytime you leave your garage though.

 

[Nodd]

I'd think shifting in & out of 4WD every time you leave your garage is likely to cause more ware than a hill start in 2WD. Especially on a hard surface. Personally I wouldn't worry about it.

To answer your question though, will starting off in low range Vs high be easier on the clutch, I suppose it might.

Something like this might help though (& yes I'm kidding)...

 

[pedkro]

I'd think shifting in & out of 4WD every time you leave your garage is likely to cause more ware than a hill start in 2WD. Especially on a hard surface. Personally I wouldn't worry about it.

To answer your question though, will starting off in low range Vs high be easier on the clutch, I suppose it might.

Something like this might help though (& yes I'm kidding)...

HAHA
You guys are helpful.

There was an angry asian lady who attempted to use her car as a spring to get me to hurry my ass up (lost the clicker)

This all brings me to another question. If i engage 4 lo and then my car starts rolling backwards... bad? This depends on how it engages down there and i really have no idea.

oh, and my car is parked flat, its just the exit that has the gnarly incline (you are forced to stop as well because of how the gate works) think san francisco style hill here..

 

[Tornadom]

I would avoid operating any part of the 4wd on dry, high friction ground like concrete or asphalt. Since it doesn't sound like you are having an issue with traction, leave the 4wd alone. Honestly, the clutch is made to take some abuse and should be considered a replaceable item, similar to brake pads. You wouldn't start a thread saying: "I have to use my brakes a lot going down hill, should I engine brake in 4-lo instead?".

Use the parts for their intended purpose. In this case, use your clutch as a clutch. If you have an issue rolling backwards on the slope and find yourself applying more throttle, or riding the clutch a bit more than you like there is a simple solution: set your parking brake a few clicks to control roll-back, then as you engage the clutch and feel it start to lurch forward release the parking brake fully and drive away in one smooth, clutch preserving motion. Toyota was nice enough to give you a hand operated parking brake, which makes this worlds easier than in a vehicle with a foot operated E-brake.