Part Time 4WD question, how dry is “dry pavement”

[Batang.Gapo]

what color did you get?
And yes, I live in GTA, Mississauga to be exact.

I ordered Classic Silver, Magnetic Grey was my second option. Delivery date is next week. I will post pictures shortly after I get my new toy :wink2:

I live close by, Oakville.

 

[BradleyB]

Good to know. I'm actually still waiting to pull the trigger on a 4runner and have been curious about issues people are having so far...

If I am not mistaken, Harper is referring to this one:

(T-SB-0175-10)Front Differential Growl/Rumble Noise ......
Some 2010 model year part-time 4WD 4Runner vehicles may exhibit a growl or rumble noise from the front differential assembly when the vehicle is in motion in 2WD.

My understanding is that this TSB covered early models of the 2010 only and has long since been corrected in production. If there's an additional TSB that covers 4runner diffs, it would be helpful to learn more about it.

Brad

 

[thejollyroger25]

4WD on Pavement

I just bought a 2013 4Runner Trail Edition with KDSS and it's great. It gets amazing traction on muddy roads even from a standstill on inclines. My manual also says to drive 10 miles per month in 4WD. I was bummed when I read these forums that say you can't drive on pavement or that you have to be very careful and only drive on straight roads.

So I called the main Toyota customer line and asked the representative. The representative conferred with a technician who said you can use 4 high on pavement without any problems but don't use 4 Low. I understand the transfer case argument and I think I will probably avoid taking turns in 4 high on dry pavement but it doesn't seem like the Toyota company feels it is a big deal. Some people on the forum say that Toyota doesn't even understand how their own vehicles work but I find that hard to believe.

 

[Greg_Canada]

I just bought a 2013 4Runner Trail Edition with KDSS and it's great. It gets amazing traction on muddy roads even from a standstill on inclines. My manual also says to drive 10 miles per month in 4WD. I was bummed when I read these forums that say you can't drive on pavement or that you have to be very careful and only drive on straight roads.

So I called the main Toyota customer line and asked the representative. The representative conferred with a technician who said you can use 4 high on pavement without any problems but don't use 4 Low. I understand the transfer case argument and I think I will probably avoid taking turns in 4 high on dry pavement but it doesn't seem like the Toyota company feels it is a big deal. Some people on the forum say that Toyota doesn't even understand how their own vehicles work but I find that hard to believe.

1. Please, do not drive in 4wd on dry pavement.
2. Why do you need to drive in 4wd on dry pavement? Is there gas, tire and maintenance money burning a hole in your pocket? Are you having a rift with mother nature?

BTW, you can dry it just fine on dry pavement in a straight line, say you are pulling someone out of a ditch and need the extra traction. You don't have to put it in 4x4, just because you can. And the tech at the dealer is an idiot.

 

[eddiebx]

1. Please, do not drive in 4wd on dry pavement.
2. Why do you need to drive in 4wd on dry pavement? Is there gas, tire and maintenance money burning a hole in your pocket? Are you having a rift with mother nature?

BTW, you can dry it just fine on dry pavement in a straight line, say you are pulling someone out of a ditch and need the extra traction. You don't have to put it in 4x4, just because you can. And the tech at the dealer is an idiot.

Did you miss the part about where he wants to follow manufacturer's directions and put it in 4WD once a month to keep the drivetrain lubed up? No all of us are in a region where we have the option of anything else other than dry pavement month after month and year round...give the guy a break he was just asking an honest question.

 

[JB.]

thejollyroger25,

You'll be whipsawed back and forth if you seek a definitive answer to this as the opinions run the gamut from "you'll experience instant thermo-nuclear meltdown" to "drive it that way any time you want".

Imo, the latter is a little closer to the truth but like most truths the answer probably lies closer to the middle.

See if this thread gives you some helpful perspective.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...time-4wd-dry-pavement-te-sr5.html#post1283166

 

[LandCruiser]

So, the problem with turning on dry pavement comes out of differentials. On gravel, snow, ice, wet pavement, etc. when the center and rear diffs are locked the front end and back end are spinning at the same rate, as are the back wheels. Off road, or on slippery surfaces, the tires slip on whatever surface you're on, but on pavement the tires are GRIPPING and you're binding up the diffs--and potentially damaging them.

I'm pretty sure that the Trail or SR5 doesn't have a center diff, and you have to lock the rear diff manually in low range... So without a center or rear diff locked, you're not binding up anything. You may be putting wear on 4WD components, but who cares.

So, based on all of this, I don't think it's a big deal, but I just turn on my 4H in downpours and off road, anyway.

Or get a Limited.

 

[Ghost Runner]

No problem in 4x4

I never make enough time for this great site. Good to have some time today to browse some new and old threads.

Re part time discussion. It always seems the "full time fans" are very quick to classify the part time systems on the trail and sr5 as being unreliable. That is just silly. Don't forget Tacoma and tundra are all crushing in part time too, with very few problems. People are quick to warn "don't drive over 55" and be sure it's really slippery - personally I think your fine to use 4x more often that you might think. If its icy, at all your fine to use 4x, and yes you can drive 75+mph no problem. Of course somebody will post how 4x4 is useless at this speed...really have these people driven on icy roads there whole life? This is crazy...engine braking with 4x4 and stability improve in severe conditions especially without a centre diff. Think about this; the Subaru wrx sti has a lockable centre diff for enhanced high speed stability...that's right, high speed use. The rally peops like the high speed stability of a locked centre. Now of course to avoid confusing our newbs, keep in mind the Toyota part time systems have no centre diff at all rather a transfer case meaning in 4x4 the centre is essentially locked.

I suspect I use 4x4 a lot more than typical owners. I've got just over 50k on my TE and I've learned to love the pt system. I'll put it in on ant loose, snowy or icy surface. I also really enjoy the 2wd option for drifting on gravel and having plenty of oversteer.

On the understeer/oversteer note: I honestly can't sense significant understeer on the highway - I agree with another member from Edmonton who commented on this. The truck handles amazing in 4x. The vdsc has been engineered very well for both real 4x4 conditions and tamer, "ski hill day" drives.

Some anecdotes: i had a 91 pre-Tacoma with part time. That truck is still crushing bad roads with years of part 4x4 use on highways, off road etc - never one problem, ever in 0ver 250000 km. I love seeing the new owner enjoying that beauty. My friend who lives in northern BC essentially leves his Tacoma in 4x4 all winter, obviously being lazy and not understanding driveline bind up etc - I think it's still remarkable he's one this for more than 5 years with absolutely zero issue. Same thing with two tundra owners I know -one guy drives between Saskatchewan and BC regularly and he just leaves the tundra in 4x all the time regularly going over 80 mph. So where are all these broken down part one systems from all the Canadians that dive in 4x often? Not sure they do break as easily, as gets said on the form.

Do I like full time systems? Heck ya, my wife has a subaru. Do I like part time systems? He'll yes, love it!!!!!

I want to use my truck. If I put some wear on the drivetrain over 300k, that's fine because the seats will be getting worn by then too. Additionally full time systems do wear over time as well. Your truck will never be brand new, forever.

Don't be afraid trail and sr5 owners; your runner can handle being in 4x4! I'm not suggesting cruising on dry pavement but I'm urging you to have more confidence with the robustness of the system. If its icy or gravel or whatever slippery surface, don't be afraid to pull that lever!

Slow to engage? I've herd that brought up a few times. You get to know how and when 4x will engage. I can engage it in a second, every time. Might take a bit of practice letting upon gas just before pulling lever.

Happy trails and hello old friends I've met here!

Btw I also sense more power from our engine as the km add up. Also less sulphur smell under heavy throttle

 

[M1911]

I'm pretty sure that the Trail or SR5 doesn't have a center diff, and you have to lock the rear diff manually in low range... So without a center or rear diff locked, you're not binding up anything. You may be putting wear on 4WD components, but who cares.
.

The center diff is NOT the source of the problem.

When you turn a corner, the rear diff takes a shorter path around the corner than the front diff. As a result, the rear driveshaft must turn fewer rotations than the front driveshaft.

It is a center diff that allows front and rear driveshafts to turn at different speeds. The 5th gen limited has a center diff, so as long as you leave it unlocked, you can use 4wd on dry pavement.

In contrast, the 5th gen SR5 and TE don't have a center diff. What that means is that when you put an SR5 or TE in 4WD, the front and rear driveshafts turn at the same speed - there is no center diff to let the front and rear diff turn at different speeds. As a result, if you put it in 4WD and turn on dry pavement, you will be putting stress on the system. How much stress and whether that will cause damage is up for debate.

 

[Greg_Canada]

I never make enough time for this great site. Good to have some time today to browse some new and old threads.

Re part time discussion. It always seems the "full time fans" are very quick to classify the part time systems on the trail and sr5 as being unreliable. That is just silly. Don't forget Tacoma and tundra are all crushing in part time too, with very few problems. People are quick to warn "don't drive over 55" and be sure it's really slippery - personally I think your fine to use 4x more often that you might think. If its icy, at all your fine to use 4x, and yes you can drive 75+mph no problem. Of course somebody will post how 4x4 is useless at this speed...really have these people driven on icy roads there whole life? This is crazy...engine braking with 4x4 and stability improve in severe conditions especially without a centre diff. Think about this; the Subaru wrx sti has a lockable centre diff for enhanced high speed stability...that's right, high speed use. The rally peops like the high speed stability of a locked centre. Now of course to avoid confusing our newbs, keep in mind the Toyota part time systems have no centre diff at all rather a transfer case meaning in 4x4 the centre is essentially locked.

I suspect I use 4x4 a lot more than typical owners. I've got just over 50k on my TE and I've learned to love the pt system. I'll put it in on ant loose, snowy or icy surface. I also really enjoy the 2wd option for drifting on gravel and having plenty of oversteer.

On the understeer/oversteer note: I honestly can't sense significant understeer on the highway - I agree with another member from Edmonton who commented on this. The truck handles amazing in 4x. The vdsc has been engineered very well for both real 4x4 conditions and tamer, "ski hill day" drives.

Some anecdotes: i had a 91 pre-Tacoma with part time. That truck is still crushing bad roads with years of part 4x4 use on highways, off road etc - never one problem, ever in 0ver 250000 km. I love seeing the new owner enjoying that beauty. My friend who lives in northern BC essentially leves his Tacoma in 4x4 all winter, obviously being lazy and not understanding driveline bind up etc - I think it's still remarkable he's one this for more than 5 years with absolutely zero issue. Same thing with two tundra owners I know -one guy drives between Saskatchewan and BC regularly and he just leaves the tundra in 4x all the time regularly going over 80 mph. So where are all these broken down part one systems from all the Canadians that dive in 4x often? Not sure they do break as easily, as gets said on the form.

Do I like full time systems? Heck ya, my wife has a subaru. Do I like part time systems? He'll yes, love it!!!!!

I want to use my truck. If I put some wear on the drivetrain over 300k, that's fine because the seats will be getting worn by then too. Additionally full time systems do wear over time as well. Your truck will never be brand new, forever.

Don't be afraid trail and sr5 owners; your runner can handle being in 4x4! I'm not suggesting cruising on dry pavement but I'm urging you to have more confidence with the robustness of the system. If its icy or gravel or whatever slippery surface, don't be afraid to pull that lever!

Slow to engage? I've herd that brought up a few times. You get to know how and when 4x will engage. I can engage it in a second, every time. Might take a bit of practice letting upon gas just before pulling lever.

Happy trails and hello old friends I've met here!

Btw I also sense more power from our engine as the km add up. Also less sulphur smell under heavy throttle

Seems reasonable. When you / your buddies run the part time system all the time, is it on slippery surfaces? (icey / gravel / rain / etc?) or middle of summer sunshine?