Is it okay to use 4WD Hi on dry pavement?

[sandcrawler]

Hi, new member here. Just bought a 2010 SR5 and the first thing I noticed is that the owner's manual is very vague about which road conditions you can use H4 on. I've always followed the generally accepted rule that you never use 4WD on dry pavement, and that seems to be the consensus in this thread.

So my question is, since the owner's manual says to drive in H4 at least 10 miles per month, is it safe to do so on a dirt road with mild curves? That seems like the only realistic option when it's not snowing or icy out.

you should get some kind of prize for resurrecting this ancient thread that is still totally relevant to your question. (no sarcasm).

dirt roads will be fine. you can use 4H on any surface that allows sufficient wheel-slip to prevent driveline bind. you can arguably even use it going straight ahead on pavement so long as you're not turning the wheel, but some would argue better to play it safe and not do that unless absolutely necessary.

welcome, and enjoy your new 4Runner.

 

[adaml]

Hi, new member here. Just bought a 2010 SR5 and the first thing I noticed is that the owner's manual is very vague about which road conditions you can use H4 on. I've always followed the generally accepted rule that you never use 4WD on dry pavement, and that seems to be the consensus in this thread.

So my question is, since the owner's manual says to drive in H4 at least 10 miles per month, is it safe to do so on a dirt road with mild curves? That seems like the only realistic option when it's not snowing or icy out.

When I drive to work in the morning, I have a stretch of road that is perfectly straight (a bridge) that's over a mile long. Traffic is shit so I'm normally going ~35 mph. I'll engage 4WD for that mile and just cruise in my lane. No sense of binding.

 

[MikeNH]

Hi, new member here. Just bought a 2010 SR5 and the first thing I noticed is that the owner's manual is very vague about which road conditions you can use H4 on. I've always followed the generally accepted rule that you never use 4WD on dry pavement, and that seems to be the consensus in this thread.

So my question is, since the owner's manual says to drive in H4 at least 10 miles per month, is it safe to do so on a dirt road with mild curves? That seems like the only realistic option when it's not snowing or icy out.

A dirt road will be fine as it isn't a "tractive" surface and it'll allow wheel slip in corners.

 

[catrains]

When I drive to work in the morning, I have a stretch of road that is perfectly straight (a bridge) that's over a mile long. Traffic is shit so I'm normally going ~35 mph. I'll engage 4WD for that mile and just cruise in my lane. No sense of binding.

driving on solid dry pavement will cause more stress and wear.

remember the tires are not exactly the same size. so on a surface that allows the slippage the wear is greatly reduced.

just use the 4 wd a few times a year when it rains out for a short distance to exercise it.

 

[Discovery]

Would you use 4wd high on this highway?

 

[RIjon]

Would you use 4wd high on this highway?

That looks like a nice dry powdery snow so I would not be using 4wd. Anything more slippery and with ice I certainly will and do.

4wd is not as fragile as some would let on. Just using the vehicle causes wear. Deal with it.
What's the point of having the features if you never use them out of fear of something going wrong ?

Try not to drive it in places and/or situations that cause bind and enjoy

 

[1engineer]

Would you use 4wd high on this highway?

Nope. Why would you need it? I drive on roads like that all the time in 2WD. What everyone fails to remember is 4WD is only useful for acceleration... not steering, not braking. VSC is what will keep you from losing it if, using the above picture as an example, you were making a lane change and started to fish tail. VSC works just as well in 2WD as 4WD. Now, there is an inherent "feeling" of safety when 4WD is engaged but the actual mechanics give you nothing.

 

[SierraMare]

Would you use 4wd high on this highway?

Yes. Why wouldn't you? I've seen roads like this to often have icy spots, and powering through those interlane snowy windrows is often a cause of loss of control. The key to using the 4WD is not being overconfident and traveling too fast. Otherwise it is simply another traction tool to help you drive safely. VSC also operates in 4High.

Can you do this in 2wd? Sure, but I'm always amazed by two things I observe in 4wd drivers: they either drive too fast for conditions, having an overconfidence in 4wd traction, or they don't use it when they should, fishtailing all over the place.

Here in Anchorage where we don't use salt I've been in 4WD most of the winter. I slip it out when the roads are clear, but that's been rare this year. I could simply rely on traction control to get me going from a stop at icy intersections and VSC for when I lose control, but I have 4WD - with VSC - so I use it. I'm good with the lower gas mileage from using such in the winter.

 

[ayeyothisiskyle]

I'm using 4hi here. I haven't gone faster than 35 and have slight binding when turning out of driveways and such. Should I just be in 2wd and use chains?

 

[e60ral]

I'm using 4hi here. I haven't gone faster than 35 and have slight binding when turning out of driveways and such. Should I just be in 2wd and use chains?

i think sled dogs are what you need

 

[Tlowe]

I'm using 4hi here. I haven't gone faster than 35 and have slight binding when turning out of driveways and such. Should I just be in 2wd and use chains?

Umm... I think you need helivac-ing out of that shit storm...

 

[humbertx2]

Yes. Why wouldn't you? I've seen roads like this to often have icy spots, and powering through those interlane snowy windrows is often a cause of loss of control. The key to using the 4WD is not being overconfident and traveling too fast. Otherwise it is simply another traction tool to help you drive safely. VSC also operates in 4High.

Can you do this in 2wd? Sure, but I'm always amazed by two things I observe in 4wd drivers: they either drive too fast for conditions, having an overconfidence in 4wd traction, or they don't use it when they should, fishtailing all over the place.

Here in Anchorage where we don't use salt I've been in 4WD most of the winter. I slip it out when the roads are clear, but that's been rare this year. I could simply rely on traction control to get me going from a stop at icy intersections and VSC for when I lose control, but I have 4WD - with VSC - so I use it. I'm good with the lower gas mileage from using such in the winter.

Yep, amen, this is why I bought a 4Runner, not a 2Runner.


2016 SR5P 4WD Super White
Bilstein 5100 @ .85
Nokian Rotiiva AT 265 70 17
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[socref516]

Hey guys, new to the forum. I am researching 4 runners in preparation for a future purchase and was wondering about the 4wd systems on the vehicles. In the SR5 versions, I see a knob just up from the gear shift that locks in 4hi and 4 low. However in the trail editions, there is a lever (like the old days) and the car runs in 2wd until you actually shift the lever. Are there any advantages/disadvantages to these systems? I grew up with locking hubs and 2wd until you needed it, then it was a manual shifter. all this new electronic crap scares the heck out of me, as I am of the mindset of "how much will it cost if the electronic sensor goes south"! Of course, that applies to all Ram products with knobs for transmissions, jeep products with fake gearshifts, etc. Thanks

 

[1engineer]

Hey guys, new to the forum. I am researching 4 runners in preparation for a future purchase and was wondering about the 4wd systems on the vehicles. In the SR5 versions, I see a knob just up from the gear shift that locks in 4hi and 4 low. However in the trail editions, there is a lever (like the old days) and the car runs in 2wd until you actually shift the lever. Are there any advantages/disadvantages to these systems? I grew up with locking hubs and 2wd until you needed it, then it was a manual shifter. all this new electronic crap scares the heck out of me, as I am of the mindset of "how much will it cost if the electronic sensor goes south"! Of course, that applies to all Ram products with knobs for transmissions, jeep products with fake gearshifts, etc. Thanks

Even the lever actuated ones have solenoids for the automatic disconnecting differential (ADD) so basically the lever does away with one switch, not all of them. Reliability and dependability is not something we have much of a problem with around here. Could they fail? Sure. Do they? Very seldom. You are shopping, I get that. Go to the Jeep or Dodge or Ford forums and see what dominates their forums. Here we talk about seats, plasti dip and beer because there is not much else to talk about.

 

[socref516]

Yeah I know. the wife has an RX and the daughter has a Rav4, so not really worried about dependability. I was just wondering what the difference was between the knob 4wd selector and the shift lever. Are they the same? But I am assuming the knob on the Limited is different as the Ltd has all wheel drive with 4hi and 4lo options and from what I have seen it is a different system all together. By the way, since you are the mod, have you seen anyone take a set of black cloth and change them to beige leather? Just wondering how that looks, as I am kind of against black seats due to the heat here in GA.

 

[1engineer]

Yeah I know. the wife has an RX and the daughter has a Rav4, so not really worried about dependability. I was just wondering what the difference was between the knob 4wd selector and the shift lever. Are they the same? But I am assuming the knob on the Limited is different as the Ltd has all wheel drive with 4hi and 4lo options and from what I have seen it is a different system all together. By the way, since you are the mod, have you seen anyone take a set of black cloth and change them to beige leather? Just wondering how that looks, as I am kind of against black seats due to the heat here in GA.

You know those links I told you to read in the other thread? All your 4WD answers are there.

Many people have changed their seat covers. Leather, cloth, Neoprene, etc in all colors.

Go to the toyota.com site and build one with beige leather. That's how it will look.