I was just wondering how often you use 4wheel drive? I have a 2007 Limited V6. I was driving on the highway the other day and it was raining really hard and very windy. I was hydroplaning a bit when I hit puddles and I was getting blown around by the wind. I was thinking that maybe I should put it in 4H next time for more traction but I don't want to wear anything out by leaving in in 4H for long periods on the highway.
How often do you use 4Wheel Drive?
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Colemanfu
New member
Yea - I would have slowed down and put it in 4wd. Not sure what a Runners max speed should be when in 4wd? When I do use it on the road I never go very fast - 35-40 tops. Now off in the sand where you have more wheel spin I fly in 4wd.
Could be old school thinking (back from when my folks had a CJ) but I run 4wd once a month to keep things lubed and to make sure every thing is working right. May not be as important with modern rigs?
Could be old school thinking (back from when my folks had a CJ) but I run 4wd once a month to keep things lubed and to make sure every thing is working right. May not be as important with modern rigs?
You wont wear out anything, you could leave it in 4HI forever like the V8s are and be just fine.
The max speed for engagement of 4HI from 2HI is 60-some mph, however once in 4HI there is no speed limit or road condition restriction due to the center diff being unlocked. You could drive it off the lot in 4HI and never put it back into 2HI and be just fine...
Agree for the most part, however there were times when 2 tires on one side of the fwd/aft axis were losing traction so being in 4HI did effectively increase my power transfer to the ground.
Tooltime19
New member
The first thing is to slow down for sure but!!! Using 4high on slippery wet roads is ok as long as the roads are trully very wet. 4 high will help with hydroplaining. Let me explain; Hydroplaining does happen like the above poster mentioned by the tires skimming across the top of the water. However, when you are in 4high and you hydroplain due to an unforseen puddle, you will essantially have 4 tires pulling versus only the rears. What that equates to is you will be able to regain forward grip just a bit sooner when in 4high. But its always safest to use caution,slow down, look far ahead and keep good tires on you rig. Hope this helps.
The first thing is to slow down for sure but!!! Using 4high on slippery wet roads is ok as long as the roads are trully very wet. 4 high will help with hydroplaining. Let me explain; Hydroplaining does happen like the above poster mentioned by the tires skimming across the top of the water. However, when you are in 4high and you hydroplain due to an unforseen puddle, you will essantially have 4 tires pulling versus only the rears. What that equates to is you will be able to regain forward grip just a bit sooner when in 4high. But its always safest to use caution,slow down, look far ahead and keep good tires on you rig. Hope this helps.
In the 4th Gen you can use 4HI/4LO (center diff unlocked) on ANY road conditions, soaking wet or bone dry.
Tooltime19
New member
Quick question on a side note; Doesnt the center diff lock, unlock at speeds over 20mph? I think the rear locker does. I forget those stats sometimes. Alzheimers!!!
Nope, there is a button like this that manually locks it. The only 4th Gen with a factory rear locker is the 09 TE if memory serves.
I don't think 4WD will help with hydro-planing. Could lead to false sense of security, suggest slowing down for conditions. I put mine in 4WD about once a month just to give it a routine workout. Sometimes during winter conditions while going skiing, I would travel 300 miles in 4WD.
Tooltime19
New member
GMZ; my 08 SR-5 has a button next to the locker button which i would consider something like 2wd lock. Ive tried it and its pretty cool. It actually isnt a true locker, but more or less like a torque sensing diffy, switching power from left to right in 2wd. I bought my truck used with no manual, so Im finding these things out by trial and error and reading on here. Iv had it for about a year.
snhrph
New member
:iagree: - hydroplaning is caused by excessive speed, not the drive-wheel configuration. So, SLOW DOWN!!! :headslap:
That being said, I keep my 4Runner in 4WD all the time. There is no excess tear on the truck - the 4th Generation was built to allow use of 4WD mode at all conditions.
That being said, I keep my 4Runner in 4WD all the time. There is no excess tear on the truck - the 4th Generation was built to allow use of 4WD mode at all conditions.
martini
New member
I actually read the entire manual when I got my 2007. It does say to use 4H once a month for at least 10 miles. This will keep things lubricated and also beep the actuators from freezing up. I typically will also put it in 4L and lock the center diff once a month to make sure nothing freezes up on me.
i think you guys are confusing alot of the 4wd systems together
part-time
full-time
AWD
and so on
heres a link with a video that does an interesting test on 4/AWD systems i think its a subaru commercial lol about 10 min long plus the read.
What is the difference between full time four wheel drive, all wheel drive versus automaticall wheel drive
BUT as already stated hydroplaning has nothing to do with 4wd or AWD. YOU ARE GOING TOO FAST FOR YOUR PARTICULAR TIRES/ROAD CONDITIONS slow down.
z
part-time
full-time
AWD
and so on
heres a link with a video that does an interesting test on 4/AWD systems i think its a subaru commercial lol about 10 min long plus the read.
What is the difference between full time four wheel drive, all wheel drive versus automaticall wheel drive
BUT as already stated hydroplaning has nothing to do with 4wd or AWD. YOU ARE GOING TOO FAST FOR YOUR PARTICULAR TIRES/ROAD CONDITIONS slow down.
z
2003-4x4runner
New member
once a month
I use the 4 wheel drive at least one a month for 10 miles as recomended by the user manual.
I use the 4 wheel drive at least one a month for 10 miles as recomended by the user manual.
Ilovesnow
New member
I actually use 4wd often. I figured that I bought a 4wd vehicle, so I might as well use it! A good set of tires will probably be more beneficial to you based on what you have described, but you can use 4H any time you want to, even on the highway, as long as you have the center diff unlocked (see other threads regarding locking/unlocking the center diff).
I use the 4wd around here when it rains in the summertime. I notice minimal differences in gas mileage when I use 4wd, even for long periods of time. Living in Illinois in the winter, I may leave the 4wd on for a week or longer depending on the road conditions, and I have never noticed a big drop in fuel economy.
If you haven't tried it before, I would suggest testing 4L and the center diff lock. If you are on paved roads, find a long, straight stretch of road just to give the system some exercise and make sure that nothing is frozen.
Regarding tires, there is a lot of reading material on this forum.... you probably don't have the Dunlop's since you have the Limited, but swapping tires has been by far the biggest improvement I have done to my 4R.
CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
I use 4hi all the time for the OP's described conditions. It just feels better...
Another thought is, depending on your tires, raising the pressure can help significantly. This formula is for knots but you get the idea The square root of the tire pressure multiplied by 9 gives you approximate speed at which you'll hydroplane. If you have 44psi max tires then running 38-40psi can be a great help.
:cheers:
Another thought is, depending on your tires, raising the pressure can help significantly. This formula is for knots but you get the idea
The square root of the tire pressure multiplied by 9 gives you approximate speed at which you'll hydroplane. If you have 44psi max tires then running 38-40psi can be a great help.:cheers:
kinnakeettom
New member
daily, fishing on the beach
