What Not to Do...

[racedirt1]

You can go into 4 low on pavement(even with center diff. lock on) just drive straight. I'm talking about 20 ft. or so at about 5 mph. Make sure your stuff works before you buy it
. Don't be alarmed if it doesn't go into 4wd instantly, it can take a few feet to engage.

I would engage 4wd in 4 high, then hit the center diff. lock to make sure it works. Then put into neutral and engage 4wd low and then put into drive and low,low at slow speed. Make sure it all works. On dry pavement you may have to put it into neutral then back to drive to help engage.

 

[Maritimer]

You guys are awesome. Now I'm getting places--I understand how to use the 4WD, and when, and how to check it without hurting things, and how to know when I'm using it without hurting things.

I guess the CR-V spoiled me in a bad way--as in it did everything but really isn't designed for performance. Before that there was no 4WD or AWD in my life, so it was just D and point.

It was actually confusing for me, especially since the 3rd generation actually changed from year-to-year.

 

[Maritimer]

Make sure your stuff works before you buy it.

Should there be some kind of warning lights if the 4WD system isn't functioning properly? And, I'll be the third owner, so let's say the first guy drove around town with the center locked on 4WD low every day--how ****ed would things be, how much would it cost, and would I know this immediately?

 

[Mr. Leary]

?????

really???? LOL are you joking or serious?

Completely serious. See below...

When the center diff is locked (4hi or 4lo), you'll feel it binding a little bit when making a tight turn in a parking lot. In general, letting it bind up isn't a good idea, that's why they were saying earlier not to drive in 4x4 on the pavement. But, letting it bind just for a second just to make sure the 4x4 is working is a good idea so you don't have to wonder if you made a bad deal the whole way home.

You mentioned earlier about leaving it in AWD mode all the time like your CR-V is. This is not a good idea because you will put unnecessary wear on several components and your mpgs will go to shit. The '01 4runner's 4x4 design isn't intended to be "full-time" like the CR-V's, but rather it's to be used in situations like patchy ice - when you have good traction 95% of the time, but a few rough spots here and there. Here's a little summary of when to use what:

Dry or wet road - 2WD
Wet slick road, gravel, or patchy snow/ice - 4hi unlocked
Packed snow/ice, dirt/mud, or deep gravel - 4hi locked
Deep snow or mud, steep dirt/snowy/muddy hills, rock obstacles, etc.. - 4lo locked

x2.


OP. You will see an indicator light come on when you engage 4wd. make sure this comes on, and make sure it goes of whe you shift back into 2wd. If it does not immediately disengage, try putting it briefly in reverse. This is also normal, due to the ADD actuator operation.

If the vehicle has a center diff lock, you can test it by putting it in 4lo in a gravel parking lot. It should spin the tires a little during sharp turns when locked, and that should stop when the diff is unlocked.

 

[jsmarine]

don't do this. YouTube - SUV rollover with surfboards

 

[Maritimer]

don't do this. YouTube - SUV rollover with surfboards

I can hardly stand watching that. What were they thinking? Not you was it? LOL.

Just the salt water issue was enough to make me cringe.

 

[Maritimer]

Hey, we got home in one piece. Got a nice mud road to test out the 4WD. It works great. Love the ride in general. Three hours behind the wheel was nothing but fun.