When to use 4WD??

G

guatemala_dude

New member
Call me dumb, but...

Ok, I just got a 98 4Runner SR5 5sp 4WD. I keep reading about only using 4wd in certain conditions. I only see 4 things on the 4WD gear shift thing...Low, N, and 2 highs. Should I be leaving the 4WD in "N" if I'm not in off-road or inclement weather conditions?

Also, there's a "clutch start" button to the left of my steering wheel that I don't know the purpose of.

Sorry to sound so naive, but I'm really new at this and don't now how I should be driving it, and don't want to mess it up.
 
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No you should not leave it in Neutral while driving for everyday purposes, you should leave it in "2H". The Clutch start cancel button to the left of your steering wheel is so that you can start the car without depressing the clutch. Just make sure it isn't in gear, :D
 
guatemala_dude said:
Call me dumb, but...

Ok, I just got a 98 4Runner SR5 5sp 4WD. I keep reading about only using 4wd in certain conditions. I only see 4 things on the 4WD gear shift thing...Low, N, and 2 highs. Should I be leaving the 4WD in "N" if I'm not in off-road or inclement weather conditions?

Sorry to sound so naive, but I'm really new at this and don't now how I should be driving it, and don't want to mess it up.
Click to expand...

Jordan is right. You should use 2hi most of the time. Using 4wd (hi or lo) on pavement will possibly damage and certainly add wear to the 4wd system. To use 4wd you need to be on a more slippery surface, at least as slippery as a dry dirt road. The challenge is the front wheels are driven (by the transfer case) the same number of turns as the back. They don't travel the same distance due to turns and a slight diameter variation with the back tires. The tranfer case will bind up. Find a dirt parking lot and do a slow 360 in 4wd. You'll see what I mean. Also by driving in a straight line for a bit you 'unload' that energy and the t-case will shift out of 4wd much easier. Sometimes backing up a few feet can help too.

Good luck!
:cheers:
 
Well, I switched to 2H, so hopefully I won't wear it out anymore....I think the people I bought it from have been using it in 4L for the last 3 yrs. However, they only lived 3 miles from work, so maybe they didn't do too much damage.
 
Unless someone is really going off road into the rough trails. 4wd is of very little use. Most times even in the snow 2wd still gets one around. Many just buy into the hype that if you don't get the 4wd your not a real off truck owner.:bash:

Fact is your paying for something that most will really never use.

Fact your hauling a lot of extra weight around everywhere you go.

Fact and if something fails in the 4wd system you are in for a lot of repair costs.:mad:

Fact Driving on ice with 4wd has no advantage over 2wd.

:awais:
 
I agree and disagree with some things posted here. First 4wd does help on ice, if you have ever driven up a hill with a few inches of solid ice you know what I mean, 2wd goes nowhere, 4wd goes right up. Now when it comes to stopping you are correct 4wd has no advantage, but having a front and rear tire spin on ice does increase your traction over just a rear tire. I highly doubt the PO left the vehicle in 4lo all the time, 4lo includes and aditional gear reduction over 4hi and driving in it all the time would get old real quick, 40 would be about the top speed. If you put your truck in 4 Neutral you will quicklly find you go nowhere, it completely disconnects both drive shafts, you could be in 1st gear in 4 neutral and release the clutch and you will not stall. If you ever tow the truck put it in 4 neutral.
As for the clutch start cancel it is not a lazy mans tecnique to start your truck w/o pushing the clutch, though some may use it that way. Its there for a reason, imagine you stall out half way up a steep rocky hill and you can not let go of the brake for fear or sliding down. You press the clutch start cancel, place the truck in 1st and turn it over with your foot off the clutch, the truck will start w/o rolling back and you will go up the hill. Its like having 3 feet when you really need them and should only be used when needed.
 
riverider said:
Unless someone is really going off road into the rough trails. 4wd is of very little use.
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Spoken like a true non-sportsman.

4WD is handy for much more than rough trails - deep snow for one, even if like me you don't primarily live where it snows a lot...I do travel to our mountains during the winter and do some skiing. The main roads are fine - but we don't all stay in the Holiday Inn...some of us rent or own log homes that are off the beaten (or plowed) path.

Also, it is a MUST for beach driving, oh yeah, NC has those as well and there are miles of beach that is still (for now) legal to drive on...2WD may be fine for "some snow", but I can't tell you how many 2WDs I pull off the beach every year because they thought 2WD was "fine" for beach driving. "But I lowered my tire pressures and have a rear locker!" Yup, and just how did that work out for you?...You're lucky I come equipped with tow straps is how it worked out...

And hunting - that nice, level, freshly harvested corn field may look OK for 2WD there near Labor Day when dove season starts, but beware of numerous and hard to spot soft spots that will bury your 2WD up to your frame rails, quickly.

AND slick boat ramps. Fishing doesn't only occur during the warm months and from peirs with tarmac parking lots. Those steep boat ramps can get slick from water and mild ice during the cool months. Nothing like trying to pull a 4000# boat/trailer up a moderate grade with 1 drive wheel (what most non-locking 2WDs really are after all) when the ramp is slick with water, moss or ice. It's very comforting to have 2 "pulling wheels" above the water/moss/alge line.

And oh yeah, 4WD is really nice for those "rough off road" trails too...So if you don't do any of the above, and it doesn't snow much where you live, then yes, 4WD is not really necessary. But don't preach to me about how it is "of very little use" without driving a mile in my shoes.
 
SubSonic said:
Spoken like a true non-sportsman.

4WD is handy for much more than rough trails - deep snow for one, even if like me you don't primarily live where it snows a lot...I do travel to our mountains during the winter and do some skiing. The main roads are fine - but we don't all stay in the Holiday Inn...some of us rent or own log homes that are off the beaten (or plowed) path.

Also, it is a MUST for beach driving, oh yeah, NC has those as well and there are miles of beach that is still (for now) legal to drive on...2WD may be fine for "some snow", but I can't tell you how many 2WDs I pull off the beach every year because they thought 2WD was "fine" for beach driving. "But I lowered my tire pressures and have a rear locker!" Yup, and just how did that work out for you?...You're lucky I come equipped with tow straps is how it worked out...

And hunting - that nice, level, freshly harvested corn field may look OK for 2WD there near Labor Day when dove season starts, but beware of numerous and hard to spot soft spots that will bury your 2WD up to your frame rails, quickly.

AND slick boat ramps. Fishing doesn't only occur during the warm months and from peirs with tarmac parking lots. Those steep boat ramps can get slick from water and mild ice during the cool months. Nothing like trying to pull a 4000# boat/trailer up a moderate grade with 1 drive wheel (what most non-locking 2WDs really are after all) when the ramp is slick with water, moss or ice. It's very comforting to have 2 "pulling wheels" above the water/moss/alge line.

And oh yeah, 4WD is really nice for those "rough off road" trails too...So if you don't do any of the above, and it doesn't snow much where you live, then yes, 4WD is not really necessary. But don't preach to me about how it is "of very little use" without driving a mile in my shoes.
Click to expand...

Since I don't do any of the dumb stuff you say you do in your post. I really could care less.:awais:
 
techno said:
Hey riverider, do you have 4wd on your 4Runner?
Click to expand...

No I have a 2wd v6 4Runner. But I do own a 4wd 82 full sized Ford Bronco, bought new it has a real deal transfer case, So 4wd trucks are not something new in my life.:)
 
riverider said:
Since I don't do any of the dumb stuff you say you do in your post. I really could care less.:awais:
Click to expand...

4WD is am amazing contribution to a vehicles performance. it takes time to learn how to use it in differing conditions and climates. where I have found it useful is an everyday option in snow, ice, rain and plain miserable weather. it adds stability to the vehicle prevents slipping and stops the vehicle more quickly. I don't know South America much at all but I imagine that it will very handy going up dirty and semi paved roads at elevation. All of these conditions River is right don't occur in the fine state of Oklahoma which is one of the many and varied reasons I personally don't live there. but hey that's just me. River have you thought about not judging yourself and others so uh dramatically?
 
Based on the fact that the OP is in Guatemala I'm going to say 4 wheel drive is of GREAT use to him......I've spent a lot of time in Costa Rica and Nicaragua and wouldn't even consider going w/o it there.

I have to agree w/ subsonic here on this one myself, 4wd is a necessity for some people (like most of this forum it seems), who do some of these "dumb things"..... Where's the smilie that says "tool" on it?

Dumb things....Why do you own a 4wd Bronco if they are basically useless?

I happen to like to use 4wd when the rain dumps and the roads get nasty here in Florida, not to mention beach driving w/ 4wd is so much better.

4WD is not for everyone, but before you make such a blanket statement next time about "dumb" activities take a look at what and where the posters are using their vehicles! Jeezzzzz.....why would anyone need 4wd in Guatemala? :D
 
alaskaman said:
4WD is am amazing contribution to a vehicles performance. it takes time to learn how to use it in differing conditions and climates. where I have found it useful is an everyday option in snow, ice, rain and plain miserable weather. it adds stability to the vehicle prevents slipping and stops the vehicle more quickly. I don't know South America much at all but I imagine that it will very handy going up dirty and semi paved roads at elevation. All of these conditions River is right don't occur in the fine state of Oklahoma which is one of the many and varied reasons I personally don't live there. but hey that's just me. River have you thought about not judging yourself and others so uh dramatically?
Click to expand...

I just call them as I see them. If you and others need 4wd and all the other stuff. like wheel spacers BIG tall wide tires and high lifts. That's how you see it. Myself most of all that stuff is worthless overpriced junk.

Same as what I see in what people are now buying in their choices of firearms. and how they junk them up.

But it makes many part pushing jags rich selling all that after market truck and Auto junk, to fools with nothing better to do with their money.
:awais:

Hoping thats not to dramatically for you.;):
 
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