Switch to neutral when shifting to 4x4?

[Bobbyg123]

Hey guys,

I'm one week into my new 2007 V6runner and I'm curious if it's best to shift into Neutral when switching from H2 to H4 mode?

Thanks in advance.

 

[alpha]

The 4R is shift-on-the-fly in terms of the multi-mode switch. Only time you need to switch to neutral is when you are shifting for H4 to L4.

But from H2 to H4, you can do it as long as you are under, I think, 62 mph.

This is in the owner's manual, and the little cheat card on the driver's side visor.

 

[007Runner]

If you mean 2wheel drive into 4wheel hi, you do not need to shift into neutral. Stay in drive and do it while coasting. I feel it is best to take your foot off the gas pedal and make the change. The reason I say this is because when the gears mesh together they will not be doing it under load so they will meet gently. I also feel this is the best way to lock the center differential for the same reason. 4wheel low, you want to come to a complete stop shift into neutral then make the change.

 

[rx900]

And I presume the V8 is different in shifting? I know the GX and 4R 4wd shifters are different, but what I notice is that I have to put the GX in neutral before shifting it.

 

[007Runner]

And I presume the V8 is different in shifting? I know the GX and 4R 4wd shifters are different, but what I notice is that I have to put the GX in neutral before shifting it.

You have me confused, the current Toyota 4Runner V8, and Lexus GX 470 are in permanent 4wheel drive mode. You only need to shift into neutral to get to low range 4WD.

 

[rx900]

I guess. See I don't go offroading and never really need these 4wd nor have any knowledge about them! I know the V8 is fulltime 4wd, but jst out of curiosity, how do you do a smog test on these? do they have machines that make all 4 wheels spin?

 

[toto]

In Illinois, the emissions test is done by plugging into the OBD II port. If the computer is happy, you pass the test. No analysis of actual exhaust gases, so no dyno.

 

[007Runner]

In NY the emissions test is done the same way. Plug into the car's computer for a few min and the test is over. No exhaust gas check is done either.

 

[jharris2]

The 4R is shift-on-the-fly in terms of the multi-mode switch. Only time you need to switch to neutral is when you are shifting for H4 to L4.

But from H2 to H4, you can do it as long as you are under, I think, 62 mph.

This is in the owner's manual, and the little cheat card on the driver's side visor.

And it can shift from 4Hi to 2WD at any speed.

 

[Uneek]

And I presume the V8 is different in shifting? I know the GX and 4R 4wd shifters are different, but what I notice is that I have to put the GX in neutral before shifting it.

If I recall the GX shifter for the transfer case is H, N and L, correct? I would guess it's similar to the V8 4WD 4Runners, where you need to be at a complete stop to shift from H to L. The V8 4WD 4Runners doesn't have the 2H on the selector knob since it's a full time 4WD.

 

[xUSNavy]

I guess. See I don't go offroading and never really need these 4wd nor have any knowledge about them! I know the V8 is fulltime 4wd, but jst out of curiosity, how do you do a smog test on these? do they have machines that make all 4 wheels spin?

In CA, which has the most strict emission laws, the latest smog test requires the vehicle to be placed on a dyno during the test. However, if the vehicle is AWD or permanent 4wd such as the case with the V8 4runner, those vehicles will be smogged via tailpipe test only. On a side note, a new vehicle does not require smog for the first 4 years.

 

[boston_kevin]

All states which require a dyno to test smog will have a 4-wheel (actually a 4 roller) system which allows the front and rear wheels to spin. There has been many debates about these systems (and whether the test is really more acurate and the saftey), but many states still require a dyno (MA and CA are two I know of).

As far as shifting, 2H to 4H requires you be under 62 mph and travelling (more or less) in a straight line. To shift into 4L (normally not used unless off-roading) you have to shift into Neutral first and stop, then shift into 4L.

 

[pipspeak]

I'm one week into my new 2007 V6runner and I'm curious if it's best to shift into Neutral when switching from H2 to H4 mode?

It takes a while to get the hang of, and in fact is the most unreliable PITA 4wd shifting system I've encountered (in my limited experience). Make sure you're traveling in a straight line, turn the knob, take your foot off the gas, then gently accelerate again. That should do it.

However... I have had problems in the past with the 4wd not engaging and it's a pain if you're unable to maintain a straight line or accelerate. In some cases it has not engaged and I was unable to stop before a sharp corner and the rear wheels locked up on me as soon as I went round the bend. Ouch.

It's also really dumb not being able to engage 4wd when stationary. I've often parked on a slope in 2wd, it's rained or snowed, and I want to start in 4wd. No can do, at least not in my truck. The lights just keep blinking and it won't engage.

 

[jharris2]

Re: Re: Switch to neutral when shifting to 4x4?

It takes a while to get the hang of, and in fact is the most unreliable PITA 4wd shifting system I've encountered (in my limited experience). Make sure you're traveling in a straight line, turn the knob, take your foot off the gas, then gently accelerate again. That should do it.

However... I have had problems in the past with the 4wd not engaging and it's a pain if you're unable to maintain a straight line or accelerate. In some cases it has not engaged and I was unable to stop before a sharp corner and the rear wheels locked up on me as soon as I went round the bend. Ouch.

One of the benefits I have seen after changing to Mobil 1 in the differentials and transfer case is that it seems to change into and out of 4Hi much faster. In the last couple of weeks, it has changed into 4Hi in as little as 4 seconds.

Definitely, it changes faster when traveling in a straight line and not under load.

 

[PMac]

Re: Re: Switch to neutral when shifting to 4x4?

It's also really dumb not being able to engage 4wd when stationary. I've often parked on a slope in 2wd, it's rained or snowed, and I want to start in 4wd. No can do, at least not in my truck. The lights just keep blinking and it won't engage.

Actually you can switch to 4wd when stationary - most of the time. It doesn't always work, but shift to neutral, then turn the knob to 4wd from 2wd (while stationary).

Give it a try.

 

[Fro-Runner]

Hey guys,

I'm one week into my new 2007 V6runner and I'm curious if it's best to shift into Neutral when switching from H2 to H4 mode?

Thanks in advance.

Naw man, just do as the Toyota commercial says and keep "Moving Forward"! I reach down and switch my knob from H2 to H4, let off the accelerator, allow the dash light to flash about 3-5 times rapidly until it remains a steady green and then I reapply the gas pedal. All of the above was done just two days ago on a busy California interstate at about 60 mph and no other motorist knew what I had dome.
I just open moon roof and switched back to H2 today to enjoy the 80+ degree temps we are having here nowadays. I love my select-a-mode V6!:driving: <--- moving forward!

 

[MicaBlue03]

My experience agrees with that of PMac. 2WD to 4Hi shift is successful most of the time while stopped, but occasionally fails. I suspect that if you wanted to do the shift while stopped and failed you could just shift or rock the vehicle a little and try again.

This approach might be be nice in situations like the one mentioned by pipspeak, though I havent tried it enough to know the percentages of success/failure. I've never *needed* to shift while stopped and so I just did a little experimentation.