Trail 4x4-HI driving?

[ar15kittykat]

This is my 1st 4Runner, so here are some stupid questions.

1. Can I hurt my transmission if I am in 4HI and driving on dry asphalt?
2. In 4HI, can I hurt transmission driving all out lIke 80mph plus on dry asphalt?

I just need to understand the limitations of 4Hi mode.

Thanks.

 

[H&KRunner]

too much sauce

 

[vicpick58]

There is no differential in the transfer case on these vehicles. You cannot drive on a dry hard surface road in 4 wheel drive!

It is just like a traditional 4x4. Not an all wheel drive vehicle.

It will damage the transfer case, not so much the transmission as you ask.

 

[STX4Runner]

Seems like this question has been coming up on the forum a lot lately. Scares the *#@% out of me sometimes wondering if the previous owner of mine drove in 4x4 on the pavement since it seems like no one understands real 4x4 anymore.

 

[Jeremy556]

This is my 1st 4Runner, so here are some stupid questions.

1. Can I hurt my transmission if I am in 4HI and driving on dry asphalt?
2. In 4HI, can I hurt transmission driving all out lIke 80mph plus on dry asphalt?

1. No
2. No

It's not good for the transfer case, though.

 

[eddiebx]

This should just be sticky'ed, I am getting tired of posting the link, lol:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/133871-using-part-time-4wd-dry-pavement-te-sr5.html

Well written explanation of our partime 4wd system by [MENTION=2798]JB.[/MENTION]

 

[ar15kittykat]

1. No
2. No

It's not good for the transfer case, though.

Ok, 4x4 Are not the the same as AWD like subarus, and posters above said I should not do it at all on dry asphalt. The reason why I am asking cause dealing w/ current ice in DFW right now, and I have been switching to 4HI when I hit ice and 2HI when when I hit dry asphalt, I am constantly switching back and forth every 5minutes cause I am afraid of damaging the transfer case... Hence I am asking the system limitations. And I don't drive 4x4HI 80mph on dry asphalt, was just checking if I can damage if I do...

 

[Bourbonator]

Read your manual to be sure, but I don't think you're supposed to switch to 4hi over 60mph.

 

[STX4Runner]

That's a reasonable question considering you're talking about ice. Just remember, 4x4 only helps you get going in ice and snow. It does nothing for helping you stop. If you in patchy ice conditions just stay in 2 wheel drive and drive slow unless you can't get going at first.

 

[eddiebx]

Ok, 4x4 Are not the the same as AWD like subarus, and posters above said I should not do it at all on dry asphalt. The reason why I am asking cause dealing w/ current ice in DFW right now, and I have been switching to 4HI when I hit ice and 2HI when when I hit dry asphalt, I am constantly switching back and forth every 5minutes cause I am afraid of damaging the transfer case... Hence I am asking the system limitations. And I don't drive 4x4HI 80mph on dry asphalt, was just checking if I can damage if I do...

It would be ideal for you to switch out of 4hi, if you're about to say...make a sharp 90 degree turn; but if you're just driving straight on the hwy I think it's probably fine to leave it in 4hi, unless there happens to be a sharp 90 degree turn on the highway at 80mph, lol.

Take a look at that thread I just posted above, it's really informative and you will understand exactly the dos and don'ts after reading it. I sure did!

And don't be too paranoid about damage, me being the hotshot that I am threw it into 4hi and drove all over town when I first got my 4runner (I had never owned a truck in my life, and just wanted to see how it felt). Yep that includes sharp turns, parallel parking, you name it all on a hot summer day on dry asphalt. Good news is, my transfer case survived

 

[ar15kittykat]

Read your manual to be sure, but I don't think you're supposed to switch to 4hi over 60mph.

I did read the manual and yes,i only switch under 50mph, and manual did say only use 4x4 in slippery conditions, hence I was constantly switching back n forth between 4HI and 2HI...

Thanks for link explanation and all the feedback.

 

[Jeremy556]

You don't want to make tight turns (think parking lot maneuvers) in 4hi on dry pavement because it will cause binding. Going straight and gentle turns at higher speeds is fine.

 

[Ducmonsta]

That's a reasonable question considering you're talking about ice. Just remember, 4x4 only helps you get going in ice and snow. It does nothing for helping you stop. If you in patchy ice conditions just stay in 2 wheel drive and drive slow unless you can't get going at first.

That is the most intelligent answer I've read in awhile.

 

[STX4Runner]

^^^Thanks Duc! Who would think a kid who grew up in South Texas and never drove on snow until college could give an intelligent answer about snow driving!

 

[jrob]

There sure is some sketchy info/presumptions in here.

It's just a transfer case, same as they've ever been. I don't run mine when I don't need to pavement or gravel, but there is no harm in running it on pavement. It's just extra gears turning. As mentioned you want to keep the full lock turns to a minimum but that's all low speed low load anyway.
In the situation you are talking about, patchy ice, I would absolutely run 4wd. You run more risk of damage taking it in and out at speed than just leaving it engaged.
Scenario,
In the situation of patchy ice especially in an urban area such as Ft worth there will naturally be acceleration and deceleration which should both be mild and gradual. If you begin accelerating even mildly on dry or wet pavement and transition onto an ice patch, there is a particularly large potential for loss of traction. If only the rear wheels are being powered at that moment there is a strong potential the rear will want to step out or even come around. 4wd greatly reduces or eliminates this hazard. If you are waiting until each time you encounter an ice patch to engage, it's probably too late.
Strongly advise you keep it engaged in icy conditions.

 

[KidVermicious]

and I have been switching to 4HI when I hit ice and 2HI when when I hit dry asphalt,

Don't do this. By screwing around with your 4wd you are a) preventing yourself from learning how to drive a vehicle on ice and b) distracting yourself from your prime directive, which is safely driving a vehicle on ice. See, you're using your 4wd as a crutch - it's not necessary. You are surrounded on a daily basis by front and rear wheel drive cars that are successfully managing to transition from icy to dry roads and back just fine - you can do it too. If you're having trouble keeping the truck pointed in a straight line, get better tires.

And for the record, nobody is likely to jack up their transfer case or differential gears by rolling for 10 feet on pavement. You could put your drivetrain in 4lo and go do cookies in a dry parking lot, and the worst you'll probably do is scrub the crap out of your tires. If you DO get in a situation where you absolutely must have 4wd to move safely around town, don't sweat the spots that might not be icy - just leave it in 4wd and roll right through. Try not to turn on dry pavement in 4wd if you can help it, but if it happens, it's not that big a deal, and it's definitely safer to stay in 4wd than be preoccupied with whether or not a given section of road is icy or dry.

 

[jrob]

Don't do this. By screwing around with your 4wd you are a) preventing yourself from learning how to drive a vehicle on ice and b) distracting yourself from your prime directive, which is safely driving a vehicle on ice. See, you're using your 4wd as a crutch - it's not necessary. You are surrounded on a daily basis by front and rear wheel drive cars that are successfully managing to transition from icy to dry roads and back just fine - you can do it too. If you're having trouble keeping the truck pointed in a straight line, get better tires.

I agree with you to an extent as far as not using 4wd when it isn't necessary.
But I wouldn't call it a crutch. It is a tool that the vehicle is equipped with. If conditions call for more traction that is literally right at your finger tips why not pull the lever?
agreed it is totally possible to keep it pointed in the right direction on ice or mixed surface, not even that hard with experience. But this question obviously wasn't born from experience.

 

[KidVermicious]

But I wouldn't call it a crutch. It is a tool that the vehicle is equipped with.

4wd can be a lot of things. Incredibly useful is one of those things. A crutch is another one of those things. There's certainly shades of gray between them, and I'm not saying that anybody who uses 4wd is a pansy. I own a 4Runner. I like my 4wd, and I definitely use it when the roads get nasty. I'm just saying that in the OP's case, it sounds like it's being used as a substitute for good driving skills, not as a supplement to good driving skills. For him, right now, I'd call it a crutch.

Besides, I've never been in Fort Worth in the winter, but I'll bet $5 and a case of beers that you and the OP have drastically different definitions of "icy road", Mr. I Live At 6500 Feet In The Rockies.

 

[jrob]

Actually 9k feet but who's counting
While the roads are consistently bad up here I have driven through north Texas a few times and encountered some pretty serious conditions.

Anyways Kid is right. Snow driving itself should be learned with all drivetrains. I've spent countless hours in empty parking lots "researching" vehicle dynamics in snow haha. 2wd doughnuts, 4wd doughnuts backward and forwards.
To answer the initial question though, pick 2wd or 4wd and stick with it and 4wd on pavement will not hurt a thing.
Drive safe!

 

[WODWorldWide]

The manual also says you should drive 10 miles per month with it engaged in order to keep everything lubed up. So I am assuming that those 10 miles don't always have to be in snow.