Question re. 4WD Low

[JohnL]

I'm hoping someone out there can help me. My 2012 Limited got stuck in the snow backing out of the driveway this morning, so I put it in 4WD low and tried to blast my way out. Surprisingly, I couldn't do it (even with my Blizzak snow tires!). Neighbor who was watching came over, said only my front driver's side and rear passenger side wheels were turning. So I shifted into 4 WD high and all four wheels started turning.

Any ideas on why this happened? Anyone else experience this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[eddiebx]

I'm hoping someone out there can help me. My 2012 Limited got stuck in the snow backing out of the driveway this morning, so I put it in 4WD low and tried to blast my way out. Surprisingly, I couldn't do it (even with my Blizzak snow tires!). Neighbor who was watching came over, said only my front driver's side and rear passenger side wheels were turning. So I shifted into 4 WD high and all four wheels started turning.

Any ideas on why this happened? Anyone else experience this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

That is normal, you have front and rear open differentials so the power will go straight to the wheel with least resistance...is your LE is equipped with ATRAC (look on the overhead console by the map lights)? Try this, when you are in 4lo, turn on ATRAC and slowly try to push through, see if that works.

PS: your neighbor was probably secretly laughing at you in his head :tape:

 

[adam2562]

Yea, you need to turn on ATRAC and you'll be golden.

 

[JohnL]

Guess I needed to educate myself a little about ATRAC, sounds like that would have done it. And you're right about the neighbor - subaru owner.

Thanks for your help!

 

[JohnJerk]

First step in this situation is to lock the center diff, then go to ATRAC if needed. Center diff would have given you one back wheel turning also.

 

[eddiebx]

Guess I needed to educate myself a little about ATRAC, sounds like that would have done it. And you're right about the neighbor - subaru owner.

Thanks for your help!

I've posted this before, but here you go:

 

[JohnL]

Been reading up on ATRAC since posting this AM but had not seen the video. Thanks Eddie!

Also learned where the windshield wiper de-ice button is! :thumb:

 

[jmarthsr]

Well looks like I learned something today about my new '14 TE

 

[Bicepus Maximus]

A-TRAC will definitely help, but the reason why you got going in 4H and spun in 4L is because you have much more torque in 4L, which doesn't really work in snow, and mud for that matter.

You want low torque to not spin the wheels in that situation. Stay in 4H and start in a higher gear. Not sure if that's possible in the 4R - haven't got mine yet. I have a manual FJ. It works really well in snow and mud.

 

[Intruder]

You want low torque to not spin the wheels in that situation. Stay in 4H and start in a higher gear. Not sure if that's possible in the 4R - haven't got mine yet. I have a manual FJ. It works really well in snow and mud.

The closest you can really get is to pop it into sport mode and set it to 3rd or 4th gear.