Need 4x4 shifting help

B

Bobbyg123

New member
Hey guys,

I picked up my 4runner on Dec 31st and it's the first 4x4 I've owned. Here in Seattle, we've been hit with a pretty severe snow/ice storm and I'm still unsure how (and when) to shift into the various 4x4 modes. Can some of you experienced owners chime in here?

4x4 high - I use this mode in all "slick" driving conditions, including heavy rain. When I shift from 4x2 H to 4x4 H, I make sure my speed is under 40MPH. Is there anything else I need to do?

4x4 low - I shifted into this mode for the first time yesterday. I was decending down a steep and twisty road that was completely iced over. I shifted from 4x4 H to 4x4 L at a moving speed of approximately 10-15MPH while I was in the 2L gear. I then used the hill decent switch and it handled the grade flawlessly. Did I do anything wrong in shifting to 4x4L while still moving? The engine/tranny didn't react badly, so I hope I'm OK.

Any feedback on when to use these modes and how to properly switch into them would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
 
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Bobbyg123 said:

4x4 low - I shifted into this mode for the first time yesterday. I was decending down a steep and twisty road that was completely iced over. I shifted from 4x4 H to 4x4 L at a moving speed of approximately 10-15MPH while I was in the 2L gear. I then used the hill decent switch and it handled the grade flawlessly. Did I do anything wrong in shifting to 4x4L while still moving? The engine/tranny didn't react badly, so I hope I'm OK.

Any feedback on when to use these modes and how to properly switch into them would be greatly appreciated.
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I don't believe you were really in 4LO. When shifting in 4LO, you have to be stopped and in neutral and then shift into 4LO. Otherwise the 4LO light will blink continously and then your truck will start beeping. Look at your driver's sun visor for tips into shifting into different modes.
 
Bobbyg123 said:

4x4 high - I use this mode in all "slick" driving conditions, including heavy rain. When I shift from 4x2 H to 4x4 H, I make sure my speed is under 40MPH. Is there anything else I need to do?
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Just keep it under 62 mph, perferably not in a tight turn or under heavy accleration.



4x4 low - I shifted into this mode for the first time yesterday. I was decending down a steep and twisty road that was completely iced over. I shifted from 4x4 H to 4x4 L at a moving speed of approximately 10-15MPH while I was in the 2L gear. I then used the hill decent switch and it handled the grade flawlessly. Did I do anything wrong in shifting to 4x4L while still moving? The engine/tranny didn't react badly, so I hope I'm OK.

Any feedback on when to use these modes and how to properly switch into them would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

You cannot switch into 4Lo from a moving gear. You need to be in Neutral in order to switch from 4H to 4L. Once you are in 4Lo, your max speed in 2nd will be less than 10 mph. Someone posted a max speed in 5th gear in 4Lo of almost 30 mph.
 
My impression is that when a 4th gen V6 is in 4HI its the same as the V8's stock drivetrain, meaning that you can drive it in any condition. 4HI with the locked center dif (4HI Lock) is the mode in which you want to avoid driving in high traction conditions.

If I had a V6 I'd drive around in 4HI whenever the roads weren't perfectly dry...
 
OUTRNNR said:
My impression is that when a 4th gen V6 is in 4HI its the same as the V8's stock drivetrain, meaning that you can drive it in any condition. 4HI with the locked center dif (4HI Lock) is the mode in which you want to avoid driving in high traction conditions.

If I had a V6 I'd drive around in 4HI whenever the roads weren't perfectly dry...
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I have the V6 and most winters (this is the exception so far) I drive in 4H from the end of November through April.
 
Learning a lot

This unusual Seattle snow/ice storm has given me a great opportunity to learn about my 4runner. Since my initial post I've learned:

1) I wasn't in 4L when I thought I was. You need to be stopped and in Neutral to engage 4L.

2) What's really pathetic is that I hadn't been correctly shifting from D into 2nd gear low. I was wondering why my 4runner wasn't compression slowing while in 2nd gear. Well, like the idiot I am, I didn't bump the shifter to the right. I was driving in 2nd gear. :mad: Once I shifted into 2L, I had all the control I needed to get down the icy hills.

I feel very confident in my 4runner now and I've only had it for 2 weeks. I learned a long time ago through years of driving manual transmission vehicles that you NEED TO BE IN THE PROPER LOW GEAR to handle snow and ice. This is also true with the 4runner. You can keep your rig in 4x4H in just about all snowy conditions and be fine. When traction is really bad and/or you're going down a steep grade, switch gears to 2L and you'll safely crawl down the hill.

Love this truck.
 
Jonas said:
Someone out there with more knowledge may need to chime in on this one:

I know that using 4WD on dry pavement is a big "no-no"
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Actually, the 4th gen can be run in 4WD mode full time. You just can't lock the center differential on dry pavement.
 
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