Should you use 4wd (locked center diff) on wet pavement?
- Thread starter Pyral
- Start date
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sounds like you have a limited or a 2001 2002. I can say for me that i have to drive all the time in 4wd this time of year and dont switch out for the brief dry pavement I do see. I also have to use my rear locker at least one time every other week just to get home.....but hey...im in alaska....snowing today and minus 35
i still debate in my head if the 2001 I had last winter...with its center locker was any better than my j shift....but the 2001 was smoother when it ran from snow to drive pavement and I did not notice any binding that you may be making reference to
i still debate in my head if the 2001 I had last winter...with its center locker was any better than my j shift....but the 2001 was smoother when it ran from snow to drive pavement and I did not notice any binding that you may be making reference to
Pyral
Member
No I have a base model J-shifter. I have a transfer case that splits power 50/50 with potential to binding, which is the equivalent of locking your center diff if you had a limited with multimode. When I lived in snowy WA, shifting into 4WD was a no brainer (and I was safe from binding on snow)
If you need the extra traction of 4wd when the road is wet (not icy or snowy) then you need better tires or better driving skills.
St Runner
Member
I use 4wd on wet roads all the time but only for the steep hairpin corners where i know i will be spinning tires. Shift in before the corner and take it out after you go through. if it is wet there is play to keep from binding. There is a reason 75% of the vehicles on this island are 4wd or all wheel drive and its not because everybody goes offroading
Depends how good your tires are and how much it is raining. I use 4wd (SR5 without center diff) when it's raining heavy with my KO2s which are in their twilight years. Although they have been pretty crappy in wet conditions since the beginning to be honest. If you feel it slipping turn it on, if you feel it binding turn it off. Turn it off before going in a parking lot or making tight turns obviously.
phattyduck
Elite Member
No reason to use 4WD on (normal) wet roads. Why would you do that? If you are spinning tires in regular wet weather, you need better tires or you need to slow down.
You are supposed to drive in 4WD once a month for a bit to keep all the actuators 'exercised' - but you can do that anytime while driving straight.
-Charlie
You are supposed to drive in 4WD once a month for a bit to keep all the actuators 'exercised' - but you can do that anytime while driving straight.
-Charlie
Ripper238
Senior Member
Well ill be sure not to buy a used 4runner from you guys. lol
I only use 4WD when on loose surfaces like when I off road or in the snow. I also put it in Neutral at a complete stop before shifting into 4WD, otherwise its 2wd and tires that are good in the rain.
I only use 4WD when on loose surfaces like when I off road or in the snow. I also put it in Neutral at a complete stop before shifting into 4WD, otherwise its 2wd and tires that are good in the rain.
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Use it or lose it man, need to exercise the diff to keep it nice and lubey. The problem is when I forget to turn it off again :yo:
What's you're reasoning for putting it in neutral first? You can shift on the fly up to 50mph (I think some models are lowers) although it probably doesn't feel or sound that great with the diff fluid change intervals you see on the service history of most used 4runners. I'll stop if I can or at least keep the wheels straight ahead but I shift in to 4HI at 30+mph almost daily for dirt roads. Might not have as much washboards if more people did. You can feel the difference in shifting right after a fluid change, super smooth. I've done the shifter bushings/seat/gasket etc too though.
Shitty tires or great tires if the rear wheels are spinning in 2wd it is likely safe to put in 4wd.
If your rear tires are not spinning there is no need for 4wd and there is enough traction to possibly cause binding if ran in 4wd.
Is it any wonder why the mfgs come out with traction control awd etc etc.
Same goes for tires if it is above 40degrees F and I can accelerate, stop turn I likely dont need winter tires.
If below freezing with snow on the ground and I cannot accelerate, stop or turn I might need winter tires, If the tires are bald I might just need new tires.
If below freezing with snow and ice on the ground and I still cannot do any of the above with a set of new Blizzak DVM-2 winter tires its time for tire chains.
If your rear tires are not spinning there is no need for 4wd and there is enough traction to possibly cause binding if ran in 4wd.
Is it any wonder why the mfgs come out with traction control awd etc etc.
Same goes for tires if it is above 40degrees F and I can accelerate, stop turn I likely dont need winter tires.
If below freezing with snow on the ground and I cannot accelerate, stop or turn I might need winter tires, If the tires are bald I might just need new tires.
If below freezing with snow and ice on the ground and I still cannot do any of the above with a set of new Blizzak DVM-2 winter tires its time for tire chains.
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Ripper238
Senior Member
Ill put it in 4WD every month or so to keep it all working. But not on pavement.
I put it in neutral first so I don't blow up my 4WD. lol
Putting it in 4L while moving/in drive is a no no, always neutral first for 4L. 4H you can at higher speeds but I have yet to need to do it while moving.
Endlessblockades
Senior Member
I bought my 2000 off an odd bird who said he used 4WD "once, to tow a boat" in 20 years of ownership!. Luckily, for the approx 2 years I've owned it, 4WD still works great - knock on wood. I changed all the fluids when I bought it. I would never use 4WD on asphalt, except in snow. I use 4H and 4L weekly, off-road. If you have a j-shift version with the 4WD button you can engage 4Hi at speeds up to 65 MPH(?) -I forget, but I have a habit of slowing way down because I'm not racing through dirt....
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Yes for clarity I meant 4H. Always neutral first for 4L. Being able to shift while moving is nice on the interstate keeping pace with traffic but it starts snowing or when it's patchy or intermittently plowed and stuff like that. Not sure how useful it would be with a center diff though.
