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

[adoihcj]

My '03 Explorer manual said to only use 4WD Hi when driving on slippery surfaces (I guess that includes rain). Was wondering if the 4R is different because the manual says to drive at least 5-10 miles a month in 4WD Hi to keep the system well-oiled. Just wanted to know if this could harm the transfer case if you do it too often?

 

[jessandjamie]

4wd hi locked on dry pavement is not good. It will bind and could cause problems if done to often. As far as the 5-10 miles try and find a dirt road. Some may say it should be okay as long as your going straight. Not gonna happen for 5-10 miles and even changing lanes can cause it to bind.

 

[adoihcj]

4wd hi locked on dry pavement is not good. It will bind and could cause problems if done to often. As far as the 5-10 miles try and find a dirt road. Some may say it should be okay as long as your going straight. Not gonna happen for 5-10 miles and even changing lanes can cause it to bind.

Does bind mean that it kind of "jerks" when you come to a stop? This happened in my Explorer once when I was in 4WD Hi (pressed the button by accident).

 

[jessandjamie]

Yeah it kind of pops/jerks when it gets bound up. Because the back wheels are spinning at a different speed than the front. So something has to give. Its usually the tires that do on the pavement. Also why its hard to turn also. Also makes it difficult to disengage and makes a pop/jerk feel when that happens

 

[martini]

Binding due to the center differential being locked (if you have a center diff) is only when turning. It feels like the wheels lock up almost if you're going slow enough and trying to turn.

What year 4Runner are you wondering about? I used to have a 99 which didn't have a center differential so it is not good to use it in 4WD on pavement, but my 07 is fine to use on pavement since I have a center differential (as long as it's not locked).

 

[sandcrawler]

i believe he's asking about his brand new 2010 SR5 with the part-time 4WD (non-Torsen) transfer case system. does rain qualify as low-traction? i wouldn't think so…

 

[Clemsonfan15]

I have a '98 that has the selectable 4wd. I put it in 4wd drive a least a few times a month on dry pavement. As long as you don't turn I don't think it will hurt it.

 

[adoihcj]

i believe he's asking about his brand new 2010 SR5 with the part-time 4WD (non-Torsen) transfer case system. does rain qualify as low-traction? i wouldn't think so…

Yes 2010 SR5.

 

[JB.]

My '03 Explorer manual said to only use 4WD Hi when driving on slippery surfaces (I guess that includes rain). Was wondering if the 4R is different because the manual says to drive at least 5-10 miles a month in 4WD Hi to keep the system well-oiled. Just wanted to know if this could harm the transfer case if you do it too often?

Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to do it if I had part-time 4WD but i'm the minority. The viral internet rule is to never do it.

On the other hand, if worry over using 4WD high on pavement prevents you from using the system regularly for lubrication, that's a risk of different sort.

If you decide to use it this way once a month or so, just avoid combinations of slow speed and sharp turns. As wheel speed increases, so does the ability to turn the steering wheel. At residential speed a mild turn using about 1/2 steering wheel revolution is not a big deal if done occasionally, imo.

 

[eskimochaos]

Your all wrong. Using 4hi with the center diff UNLOCKED is completely fine. NOTHING will bind, you can do figure eight's all day long because the center diff allows the front a rear wheels to spin at different rates.

 

[eskimochaos]

4wd hi locked on dry pavement is not good. It will bind and could cause problems if done to often. As far as the 5-10 miles try and find a dirt road. Some may say it should be okay as long as your going straight. Not gonna happen for 5-10 miles and even changing lanes can cause it to bind.

changing lanes cannot cause it to bind. There is little to no action in the wheel when doing this.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Your all wrong. Using 4hi with the center diff UNLOCKED is completely fine. NOTHING will bind, you can do figure eight's all day long because the center diff allows the front a rear wheels to spin at different rates.

The 5th Gen allows you to lock and unlock the center diff?

 

[eskimochaos]

The 5th Gen allows you to lock and unlock the center diff?

According to the Toyota website the SR5 w/ 4wd has a lockable center diff thus you can unlock it.

The 4th gen had the same feature.

 

[alaskaman]

Driving your 4Runner in 4Hi (which means you have the V6) is acceptable below 60 MPH. You can also go into 4WD and out of it below 60 MPH. Often we run in 4Hi as while the road is "dry" patches of ice especially in the morning can surprise you.

Never run on dry pavement with the differential in the locked position.

 

[eskimochaos]

Driving your 4Runner in 4Hi (which means you have the V6) is acceptable below 60 MPH. You can also go into 4WD and out of it below 60 MPH. Often we run in 4Hi as while the road is "dry" patches of ice especially in the morning can surprise you.

Never run on dry pavement with the differential in the locked position.

Im pretty sure after engaged and there is no limit in 4wd - that makes no sense. I know that you can engage it at up to 62mph but no where does it say you cant exceed 60. the V8's have full time 4wd and there is no speed limit......

 

[sandcrawler]

Your all wrong. Using 4hi with the center diff UNLOCKED is completely fine. NOTHING will bind, you can do figure eight's all day long because the center diff allows the front a rear wheels to spin at different rates.

yeah, but there's no center differential on the 2010 SR5 or Trail Edition.
but please prove me wrong—i'd love to be.

 

[alaskaman]

I agree it is possible however the V6 Multi mode is not the same as the AWD. For myself I try to limit it and more importantly at least for me if I am hitting 70 and I need to be in 4Hi I am going to fast for conditions.

 

[J.A.]

Your all wrong. Using 4hi with the center diff UNLOCKED is completely fine. NOTHING will bind, you can do figure eight's all day long because the center diff allows the front a rear wheels to spin at different rates.

The 2010 SR5 and TE cannot be run unlocked as it is a part time (no center diff) system.

 

[eskimochaos]

yeah, but there's no center differential on the 2010 SR5 or Trail Edition.
but please prove me wrong—i'd love to be.

If theres 4lo, there's a transfer case....toyota.com.......

 

[Clemsonfan15]

The 2010 SR5 and TE cannot be run unlocked as it is a part time (no center diff) system.

That's what I thought.

I don't think there is a speed limit per say for 4wd.

To engage you have to be under like 60 or 62.