Is this normal - 4WD question

[NPTITim]

2 weeks ago I purchased a 2010 4Runner, SR5. Before that I was driving a 3rd generation T4R for a long time. Today we had heavy rains in my area so I put it in 4WD (hi) for added security. When I went to pull in to the parking lot I felt like my turning radius had doubled and as I turned the wheel the car essentially slowed down to virtually a complete stop.

I had read about not making tight turns on dry pavement while in 4WD but this was super noticeable, I couldn't get into the parking spot without taking a few tries at it and it felt like the car didn't want to accelerate when the wheel was turned even less that maximally and I didn't want to push it. My 3rd gen never exhibited any of these symptoms, I was wondering if this was normal behavior or not? Thanks for any insight you can provide.

 

[bimrunner]

not a good idea to be making sharp turns in a part time 4wd. Rain doesn't need 4wd anyhow. Just use 2wd and be safe.

 

[eddiebx]

2 weeks ago I purchased a 2010 4Runner, SR5. Before that I was driving a 3rd generation T4R for a long time. Today we had heavy rains in my area so I put it in 4WD (hi) for added security. When I went to pull in to the parking lot I felt like my turning radius had doubled and as I turned the wheel the car essentially slowed down to virtually a complete stop.

I had read about not making tight turns on dry pavement while in 4WD but this was super noticeable, I couldn't get into the parking spot without taking a few tries at it and it felt like the car didn't want to accelerate when the wheel was turned even less that maximally and I didn't want to push it. My 3rd gen never exhibited any of these symptoms, I was wondering if this was normal behavior or not? Thanks for any insight you can provide.

On the SR5 and the TE this is normal because there is no center differential, you probably want to avoid doing tight parallel parking maneuvers in 4hi, lol. I learned this the hard way just like you, tires chirping around tight turns and all that good stuff

Check out this thread by [MENTION=2798]JB.[/MENTION] which is pretty informative about this topic: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/133871-using-part-time-4wd-dry-pavement-te-sr5.html