T4R G4 4WD Driving habbits

magnumfan

magnumfan

New member
Hey folks just asking a question

I own a V6 4WD G4 T4R

Just wondering if I am by myself or if others drive the same way I do.

I am almost at 36,000 miles

I often use my gears Drive 4 and Drive 3 to slow down before lights or stop signs - the local dealer telling me recently that I have much more breaks left than other T4R owners, so I know that pulling back thru the gears slowing the car at the lights saves breaks... and

I live very close to snow/Ice and I often slip back and forth between 2WH and 4WH depending on the air temperature and weather conditions - I often slip back and forth at 60 odd MPH - I just kick the T4R into neutral and change from 2WD to 4WD or back to 2WD

Just wondering if other owners do the same

The T4R seams like it is designed to do it, it does it so easily

thoughts comments?

Joe
 
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:iagree:
Ditto for everything you've said for living in this area. I love driving sticks and using the engine to help out. That is why I posted how happy I was that when I press the brake going down steeper grades, I can feel the engine torque change as the tranny has shifted on its own. There are a couple of places I tap the gear shift out of 5th over to 4th, esp. on really sharp turns where I don't want to hit the brakes incase there is ice.
My dad taught me this when teaching me to drive both automatics and the stick shift. He said though to remember it's cheaper to replace the brakes than the engine, so watch the RPM's, but it teaches you to really know your car & it's limits. That and you should be a driver, and not a lump of potatoes behind the wheel!! :driving:
 
so....i have found

Methodical said:
I personally don't recommend shifting between N and D while at high speed.
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that the only way I can get the T4R to go from 4WD Hi to 2WD Hi or visa versa is to slip into neutral

anyone, any thoughts

it seams to work well and the dealer is ok with it

Joe
 
Re: so....i have found

magnumfan said:
that the only way I can get the T4R to go from 4WD Hi to 2WD Hi or visa versa is to slip into neutral

anyone, any thoughts

it SEEMS to work well and the dealer is ok with it

Joe
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Of course you have to slip into neutral, but why do you do it at 60mph? Although I don't know whether or not it is bad for the truck, under what circumstances would you have to go into 4wd at 60mph anyway.:confused: I guess i don't live in a very snowy area, but i would try and put it into 4wd that morning rather than when you start picking up speed.
 
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I'm full time 4WD but I'm on the shifter a lot and I have a lot of brake pad left at 43K miles. Around town I'm rarely in 5th and am in 3rd a lot -- and even 2nd -- if I anticipate that some instant acceleration may be needed soon and don't want the delay of a downshift. I also use 3rd on onramps/offramps for acceleration/deceleration. I'm not sure trading tranny wear for brake wear (if that's a valid metaphor) is worth it, but it would be impossible for me to just put it in 5th -- or even 4th -- and just leave it there.
 
Re: so....i have found

magnumfan said:
that the only way I can get the T4R to go from 4WD Hi to 2WD Hi or visa versa is to slip into neutral

anyone, any thoughts

it seams to work well and the dealer is ok with it

Joe
Click to expand...

I switch between 4WD and 2WD in Drive...
 
Re: Re: so....i have found

keylay31 said:
I switch between 4WD and 2WD in Drive...
Click to expand...

Sometimes i can too, but its not 100% reliable

to get it to always switch when i absolutely want it to, its into neutral, foot off the gas, coast some and it switches

if I do so while driving in gear, its not a guarantee it will switch

maybe its just my car?

joe
 
Re: Re: Re: so....i have found

magnumfan said:
Sometimes i can too, but its not 100% reliable

to get it to always switch when i absolutely want it to, its into neutral, foot off the gas, coast some and it switches

if I do so while driving in gear, its not a guarantee it will switch

maybe its just my car?

joe
Click to expand...

Sounds like something is wrong. If your going under 62 ( i think thats the number), it should always work
 
Joe, what do you mean by G4?

I pretty much only keep mine in 3D. I have been putting it in neutral when I'm stopped at red lights...I think that saves gas.

My truck always switches from 2hi to 4hi in drive. Sometimes it will take awhile though. I've done the neutral change but only around 30mph. Whenever I'm at freeway speeds its almost instantaneous.
 
I usually switch to 4wd while in drive going about 30-45mph in a straight line, and ive never had a problem. I thought it says in the manual to only switch to 4wd while going 55mph or less.
 
I've always done my switching between 2wd and 4wd while in D (under 62mph/100kph). Always seems to engage or disengage within 100 yards or so. I'll continue to do it like that unless you're saying it's instant when you shift it to neutral first. It's when sitting still a couple of times that I've engaged 4hi and it's made a weird scrunch sound so I make it a point to be moving where it shifts like butter.
 
97hb said:
Brakes are way cheaper than a tranny. Just a thought.
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:iagree:
I only use the tranny to slow the vehicle down (downshifting) in an emergency. I'll gladly spend an afternoon and a few bucks replacing brake parts than spending a couple thousand on a new tranny.
 
To summarize every correct thing that's been said,

- Transmissions are more expensive than brakes, so use more brake to slow down.

- 4WD can be engaged while at speed slower than 62MPH (as stated in the manual). I can get mine to go in no problem. If you can't, then you have a problem with the 4WD system. Only put it in neutral (while stopped, mind you) if going into 4LO.

- Please read the manual.
 
Go get a manual and call it a day. Save your tranny the added wear by using the brakes that were designed to stop the 4R on a dime (at least the SE enlarged brakes).

But then again, we dont have snow here. :bigok:
 
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