When do you switch from H to L on the 4x4 switch??

[Trdsupranick]

Hey all:

I have an 04 t4r and obviously it is all wheel drive. When am I supposed to use the switch?? What kind of driving conditions would I have to be driving on to make the switch??

I also wonder when I drive under normal city or highway am I always supposed to have it in (D) drive or move the shifter from the d position to the left where is says (4)??

I am curious because I never have switched my high low thing and I always drive in D.

Thanks !!

 

[Even Steven]

The only time you want to go into 4-low is when you need the extra gearing. In other words, never on the street.

 

[toto]

As for the 4 vs. D decision, "D" is the typical setting. Using "4" disables the overdrive gear. On previous generations, there was an "overdrive off" button; now there's a "4" gear setting instead.

 

[Falls]

Like said 4lo is when you need gearing , off road , stuck , pulling something out , ect....

FYI: You have full time 4 wheel drive , not all wheel drive. ( hence the multi-mode transfer case ).

 

[Casper]

as others have said...when you really need some seriously grip. otherwise, even with my street performance tires I have yet to get into a situation where I really needed 4lo.

I do however run in 4lo on my street in my neighborhood to excercise the transfer case. We are supposed to run in 4lo a minimum of 10miles a year to keep everything lubed and operating.

 

[ALt4r]

When my dad was testing an 03 4runner he asked if he should use 4 or D. The guy at the dealer selling the car to us said " it doesn't matter, there's not a difference" and i just smiled.

 

[Trdsupranick]

thanks for quick responses although maybe I am a dummy. I still dont understand about when i should use 4 or d on the shifter. should i drive in the d position or the 4. What does each work better with.

As far as the H and L switch when you engage it is there any direction should i take. What i mean is do i have to be moving to turn the switch to change it from high to low?? or can i just change it and off i go??

to reply to the guy that said he runs his t4r at least 10 miles a year to lube and move the transfer case parts is that needed or is it dangerous to really drive it on street for a few miles?? i want to properly take care of the 4x4 system. I just had them lube everything at dealership for its 60k mile service is that good enough?

I would just like to know how to use the 4x4 system properly.

Thanks guys!

 

[Even Steven]

thanks for quick responses although maybe I am a dummy. I still dont understand about when i should use 4 or d on the shifter. should i drive in the d position or the 4. What does each work better with.



Under normal circumstances, you should drive in regular drive (D), which will give you the best fuel economy because your transmission will shift into overdrive. If you find that you're transmission is kicking down a gear excessively because you're driving in the mountains, or maybe towing something, then turn off the overdrive by moving the shift lever to 4. This locks out the overdrive gear and stops the transmission from hunting for the proper gear. It also lowers your fuel economy. I believe your owner's manual offers an even more detailed description of when to use each gear.



As far as the H and L switch when you engage it is there any direction should i take. What i mean is do i have to be moving to turn the switch to change it from high to low?? or can i just change it and off i go??



Again, read your owner's manual on this. Your 4Runner won't let you do anything that will harm the 4wd system....it will beep and protest like crazy if you try to do something you shouldn't.... But keep in mind that you are changing your gear multiplication when you switch to 4wd LOW, so you should be stopped with the transmission in neutral before making the switch.



to reply to the guy that said he runs his t4r at least 10 miles a year to lube and move the transfer case parts is that needed or is it dangerous to really drive it on street for a few miles?? i want to properly take care of the 4x4 system. I just had them lube everything at dealership for its 60k mile service is that good enough?



Since you have the V8, your 4Runner is always in 4wd. If you want to "keep everything lubed" by switching to 4wd low or locking the center differential, then I would suggest that you don't do so while driving on the street in traffic. Instead, find yourself a nice big parking lot and drive STRAIGHT with everything engaged if you're on blacktop. Personally, I don't think you need to drive anywhere near 10 miles though...a few times back and forth in a large parking lot should be enough to keep the mechanicals moving around down there.



I would just like to know how to use the 4x4 system properly.

Thanks guys!

 

[alaskaman]

when I am cruising from 40 mph up or on fairly brisk freeway traffic I keep the 4Runner in "4" for quick accelerations from 50 to 70 mph. when I am on the freeway or driving without that much traffic I keep it in "D".

 

[Casper]

Even,

the owners manual states that you should run the vehicle in 4lo a specific amount each year (either 5 or 10...i chose the later on a guess). It is stated in the manual.

 

[Even Steven]

Even,

the owners manual states that you should run the vehicle in 4lo a specific amount each year (either 5 or 10...i chose the later on a guess). It is stated in the manual.

Okay, there's nothing wrong with doing as you suggested. I just think it's overkill, even if it is in the manual. Unless you drive offroad a lot, where do you find 10 miles to drive in 4LO?

 

[Trdsupranick]

Hey guys thanks for the info that helps me out a bunch .. much appreciated.....!!! Thanks tons for the write up EVEN STEVEN!

I am in ohio and when it snows and roads are completly covered do you guys switch to 4low?? WHat is the fastest speed you can go in 4 low?? or is the regular all time 4 wheel good enough?? To me when we had 6 inches couple weeks ago the 4 wheel high seemed just fine.

 

[Trdsupranick]

locking the center differential what does that mean??? is that the button on the left of the steering wheel that has an X??

GUYS DONT MAKE FUN OF ME!!! lol.. i dont know a whole lot about vehicles......

does anyone use that button much when are you supposed to use that??

 

[Even Steven]

WHat is the fastest speed you can go in 4 low?? or is the regular all time 4 wheel good enough?? To me when we had 6 inches couple weeks ago the 4 wheel high seemed just fine.

Try out your 4wd low and you'll quickly see that it is not meant for the road. Your 4Runner could pull out stumps in 4wd low, but cruising the streets is not the best idea!

 

[Even Steven]

locking the center differential what does that mean??? is that the button on the left of the steering wheel that has an X??

GUYS DONT MAKE FUN OF ME!!! lol.. i dont know a whole lot about vehicles......

does anyone use that button much when are you supposed to use that??

LOL, did you get an owner's manual with your 4Runner? If so....READ IT:bash:

All of your questions are answered in the manual!

 

[Trdsupranick]

got one... i think they just do a lousy job

explaining what they typical buyer wants

to know about most of the 4x4 features

and how to use them

 

[JB.]

Trdsupranick,

It's all in the manual (along with a bunch of other good stuff) but in case a county wide catastrophe requires you to evacuate your area using a cross country route before you can read it, here you go.

Put it in D for the best gas mileage. Put it in 4 for better driving performance.

Low range engagement must be stopped and in neutral. Locking center differential can be moving or stopped, in gear or neutral.

4 lo
Center locked: The toughest of slow speed, off-road conditions where you want/need the highest traction abilities or stump pulling torque.
Center unlocked: Contrasted with the above by somewhat easier terrain and/or you want turning ability without scrubbing the tires.

4 hi
Center locked: Higher speed off-road or slippery conditions. Only in severe, short-term cases would you use this on road.
Center unlocked: Normal road conditions where you desire 4WD drive (all wheel drive) for whatever reason.

 

[Casper]

Okay, there's nothing wrong with doing as you suggested. I just think it's overkill, even if it is in the manual. Unless you drive offroad a lot, where do you find 10 miles to drive in 4LO?

It might be overkill but having to pay for non warranty items pertaining to the transfer case later on in life makes me want to use it a few tenths of a mile at a time in my neighborhood. I dont drive the whole 10miles at one time, mainly the .1-.4 from the front of my neighborhood to my house.

My rig only sees a few miles a year off road anyway and rarely, if ever, do i need the 4lo. Im just following the manual and especially since its a fairly easy item to follow.

 

[Trdsupranick]

thanks jb....... i have another one guys..... what does "locking" the center differential exactly mean??.....so by pressing the x button left of the steering wheel i would assume that is locking it.


is it where if one wheel is spinning more power goes to the other wheel... and by locking it you make all the power distibute evenly to all 4??? or vice versa

anyone have any scamatics?

 

[Casper]

locks the wheels together to spin at the same rate....so no longer is their a differential between them and thus they are Locked.