New to all time 4wd ? 2012 limited

[MpJustice]

We had some sleet ice down here in texas today brought up a 4wd ? For me. The 2012 limited is all time 4wd but if there is ice on bridges and some spots on road can I use 4wd high without any rain falling just somewhat wet roads?

I was switching between the two I was afraid to let it in high to long.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

 

[jbstrd]

We had some sleet ice down here in texas today brought up a 4wd ? For me. The 2012 limited is all time 4wd but if there is ice on bridges and some spots on road can I use 4wd high without any rain falling just somewhat wet roads?

I was switching between the two I was afraid to let it in high to long.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

You will be fine on straight stretches, but as soon as you start turning and there is not enough slip in the surface to allow your front tires to move at the same speed as your rears, it will start binding. I would personally not drive on pavement that is just wet. If there is a good bit of ice or snow, go for it, but just wet ground still provides too much traction.

 

[rebelbowtie]

You will be fine on straight stretches, but as soon as you start turning and there is not enough slip in the surface to allow your front tires to move at the same speed as your rears, it will start binding. I would personally not drive on pavement that is just wet. If there is a good bit of ice or snow, go for it, but just wet ground still provides too much traction.

Isn't the Limited model AWD with the Torsen center diff like all 4th Gen 4Runners?

 

[M1911]

You will be fine on straight stretches, but as soon as you start turning and there is not enough slip in the surface to allow your front tires to move at the same speed as your rears, it will start binding.

No, it won't.

What you are describing is a part-time 4WD system. The SR5 and Trail Edition have a part-time system. In a part-time system, when you put it in 4WD, the front and rear driveshafts turn at the same speed. Since the rear wheels take a shorter path around a corner, the rear driveshaft wants to turn at a lower speed than the front driveshaft. Offroad that is fine, as the tires just slip. On the road, it can bind.

But the OP has a Limited. The Limited has a fulltime 4WD system. He can put it in 4WD and leave it there on dry pavement forever without any damage to the system. The Limited has a Torsen limited slip center differential. That center diff allows the front and rear driveshafts to turn at different speeds.

As long as he does not lock the center diff, he can leave it 4WD all the time. Locking the center diff makes the front and rear driveshafts turn at the same speed, just like a part-time system. You should only lock the center diff when on soft surfaces (for example, dirt or sand) or when only traveling straight.

 

[MpJustice]

No, it won't.

What you are describing is a part-time 4WD system. The SR5 and Trail Edition have a part-time system. In a part-time system, when you put it in 4WD, the front and rear driveshafts turn at the same speed. Since the rear wheels take a shorter path around a corner, the rear driveshaft wants to turn at a lower speed than the front driveshaft. Offroad that is fine, as the tires just slip. On the road, it can bind.

But the OP has a Limited. The Limited has a fulltime 4WD system. He can put it in 4WD and leave it there on dry pavement forever without any damage to the system. The Limited has a Torsen limited slip center differential. That center diff allows the front and rear driveshafts to turn at different speeds.

As long as he does not lock the center diff, he can leave it 4WD all the time. Locking the center diff makes the front and rear driveshafts turn at the same speed, just like a part-time system. You should only lock the center diff when on soft surfaces (for example, dirt or sand) or when only traveling straight.

Great post! It is the limited and I was switching from the all time which is what it is on for normal everyday driving to the H4l when approaching bridges or when I saw others slowing. Although the way I understand when I shift to h4l it does lock the center diff. I was in it for a short time I hope no damage was done.

I am sure a bit overkill but it does not ice here often. Like I said it was not slipping often though.

 

[rebelbowtie]

Great post! It is the limited and I was switching from the all time which is what it is on for normal everyday driving to the H4l when approaching bridges or when I saw others slowing. I am sure a bit overkill but it does not ice here often. Like I said it was not slipping often though.

I'm really confuse on what you're saying here. You are saying you are driving along the road in AWD which would be 4HI with the center diff unlocked. You then lock the center diff when you drive over a bridge? That makes no sense, you're already on 4wd no need to lock the center diff unless you are off the road.

 

[Curt Sauve]

Great post! It is the limited and I was switching from the all time which is what it is on for normal everyday driving to the H4l when approaching bridges or when I saw others slowing. Although the way I understand when I shift to h4l it does lock the center diff. I was in it for a short time I hope no damage was done.

I am sure a bit overkill but it does not ice here often. Like I said it was not slipping often though.

Don't lock the center diff unless you are in deep snow, going off road, or are already stuck, dry pavement with icy patches is what AWD was designed for.

 

[MpJustice]

I'm really confuse on what you're saying here. You are saying you are driving along the road in AWD which would be 4HI with the center diff unlocked. You then lock the center diff when you drive over a bridge? That makes no sense, you're already on 4wd no need to lock the center diff unless you are off the road.

I guess I am a bit confused myself. Having read the om I believed h4l to be for road conditions such as heavy rain snow ice at any speed. Switching into h4l automatically locks the center dif. I realize now this was overkill. I hope no damage was done. Speeds never exceeded 40 and roads were straight

 

[jbstrd]

No, it won't.

What you are describing is a part-time 4WD system. The SR5 and Trail Edition have a part-time system. In a part-time system, when you put it in 4WD, the front and rear driveshafts turn at the same speed. Since the rear wheels take a shorter path around a corner, the rear driveshaft wants to turn at a lower speed than the front driveshaft. Offroad that is fine, as the tires just slip. On the road, it can bind.

But the OP has a Limited. The Limited has a fulltime 4WD system. He can put it in 4WD and leave it there on dry pavement forever without any damage to the system. The Limited has a Torsen limited slip center differential. That center diff allows the front and rear driveshafts to turn at different speeds.

As long as he does not lock the center diff, he can leave it 4WD all the time. Locking the center diff makes the front and rear driveshafts turn at the same speed, just like a part-time system. You should only lock the center diff when on soft surfaces (for example, dirt or sand) or when only traveling straight.

Great post! It is the limited and I was switching from the all time which is what it is on for normal everyday driving to the H4l when approaching bridges or when I saw others slowing. Although the way I understand when I shift to h4l it does lock the center diff. I was in it for a short time I hope no damage was done.

I am sure a bit overkill but it does not ice here often. Like I said it was not slipping often though.

M1911, this is why I was describing the Part Time 4WD scenario. The OP is talking about locking the center diff, therefore causing it to act like Part Time (50/50 power transfer).

 

[JB.]

Switching into h4l automatically locks the center dif. I realize now this was overkill. I hope no damage was done. Speeds never exceeded 40 and roads were straight

Nothing to worry about having locked the center diff, but there's almost never a paved road situation where it would be necessary. The truck will handle better -- slick or dry -- with it unlocked so might as well leave it there and enjoy.

 

[simonj]

Folks,

There is some back and forth here that is leading to confusion.

The Limited is ALWAYS 4wd. You don't "put" it into 4wd.

There are 3 settings - all of which are 4wd:

H4F - 4wd, open centre diff - every day driving.
H4L - 4wd, locked diff - poor/slippery conditions, you'll get binding on dry pavement.
L4L - 4wd, locked diff - shorter gearing for off-roading conditions.