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Questions About Breaking In 4WD

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by davelac, Dec 23, 2011.

  1. Dec 23, 2011 at 7:19 AM
    #1
    davelac

    davelac [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I've never owned a 4WD before and now have a 2011 DCSB SR5. I reviewed the manual trying to see how often you should use 4WD to keep the system "in tune", but didn't come across anything yet. I tried it out this morning and drove about 5 miles before I switched back to 2WD. Questions:
    1. Should I drive in 4WD once or twice a month to keep the components in working order?
    2. Is there a limitation to how fast I should go in 4WD (like not at highway speeds?)
    3. I noticed that when I tried to back up in 4WD it seemed as if there was some resistance at first - is that normal?
    4. When I switched back to 2WD from a stop and then moved forward, there was a slight clunk sound from the underside as if a mechanical part was disengaging. Any reason to be concerned?
    Again, I'm new to a 4WD vehicle, so forgive me for asking basic questions. Any response is appreciated.
     
  2. Dec 23, 2011 at 7:49 AM
    #2
    Tacoma Mike

    Tacoma Mike 48 Year Chrysler/Toyota/ASE/ Master Tech.RETIRED

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    First welcome
    #4 Normal
    #3 normal
    #2 light speed once locked in under 60
    #1 In the manual is a section on that. I'm not going to quote but.

    In my case i have a long straight road i live on. So for me i work it at least twice a week. I would suggest more than the book indicates. Not the mileage per say but the actual activation....
    Keep her fairly straight in the road
     
  3. Dec 23, 2011 at 7:56 AM
    #3
    Sigi

    Sigi Well-Known Member

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    Your not putting it on 5 wheel drive for 5 miles on dry pavement right ??
     
  4. Dec 23, 2011 at 7:56 AM
    #4
    Sigi

    Sigi Well-Known Member

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    I mean 4 wheel . Lol
     
  5. Dec 23, 2011 at 7:58 AM
    #5
    DEEVON911

    DEEVON911 Semi-Pro

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    Pretty much what Mike said, although 4x4 does not really need "broken in". It is in the manual somewhere about to use it atleast once a month to keep everything working and lubed up. And ditto on keeping it strait on a non slick surface, such as asphalt or even hard packed dirt road. If you notice when you try to turn on dry no slick surface, you get that hesitation. Thats binding, and you don't want to do that too often, that is potential breakage.

    Good luck with the truck though and enjoy it!
     
  6. Dec 23, 2011 at 8:15 AM
    #6
    Tacoma Mike

    Tacoma Mike 48 Year Chrysler/Toyota/ASE/ Master Tech.RETIRED

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    I had to take a double take on this one................ LOL
    I was AHHHHHHHHHHH ?????

    roflmao.
     
  7. Dec 23, 2011 at 8:16 AM
    #7
    DEEVON911

    DEEVON911 Semi-Pro

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    I was looking at your sig pic for some crazy 5th wheel mod!
     
  8. Dec 23, 2011 at 9:48 AM
    #8
    davelac

    davelac [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yes, it was dry pavement - does that make a difference?
     
  9. Dec 23, 2011 at 9:51 AM
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    Thundjet

    Thundjet Well-Known Member

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    YES! If the wheels can not slip once in awhile the parts in the drive line can bind and break.
    Only use 4wd on loose surfaces. Don't worry about using it to much, the first 100 miles on my truck I used it 95% of the time.
     
  10. Dec 23, 2011 at 9:52 AM
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    davelac

    davelac [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the prompt reply. I'll check the manual again. So it's not good to make a lot of turns in 4WD when you're on dry pavement? I made a few today in my test run to the convenience store so hopefully I did no damage.

    I have a lot to learn as you can see.
     
  11. Dec 23, 2011 at 9:52 AM
    #11
    OZ-T

    OZ-T You are going backwards

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    Dry pavement has no give to allow for some slippage in the front wheels , this is why you feel them binding when you turn sharply in 4wd .

    Keep it straight if you must me on dry pavement in 4wd .
     
  12. Dec 23, 2011 at 9:58 AM
    #12
    Bloodhound

    Bloodhound Banned from the Pics Thread

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    Find a straight, straight road once a month and throw it in 4WD according to the manual. Like others have noted, don't be making any sharp turns in 4WD as it binds up the transfer case and loads it up, which could result in breaking some expensive stuff.
     
  13. Dec 23, 2011 at 10:08 AM
    #13
    davelac

    davelac [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Good to know, thanks. The truck is only 8 wks old so I don't want to screw with it already. My 4WD trip was really about 2.5 miles (30-40mph) with about (4) 90 degree turns after complete stops.
     
  14. Dec 23, 2011 at 10:21 AM
    #14
    OffroadToy

    OffroadToy old, forgetful, and decomposing

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    Since we have part-time 4WD it makes a BIG difference...read the links in my signature below. When you go back into 2WD from 4HI take your foot off the gas so there's no load on the drive-line then turn the switch...you won't get that "clunk" sound. Try to at the very least drive in 4WD for a few miles every month or two to keep things lubed up.
     
  15. Dec 23, 2011 at 10:21 AM
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    DEEVON911

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    Also I don't know if anyone said it, but in 4WD high, no speed limit, acording to the manual you just can't put into 4WD above 63 mph. Just an FYI.
     
  16. Dec 23, 2011 at 10:22 AM
    #16
    ouyin2000

    ouyin2000 Well-Known Member

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    Just to echo everyone else.

    Drive it in 4wd for a few miles once a month to keep the front components lubed and in working order. Only use it on loose surface though. Such as dirt or gravel road, or even in a grass field. It doesn't have to be a FAR distance, just go around in a few circles in a farmer's field (with permission of course) if that's all you have access to.

    The clunk you heard when shifting into or out of 4wd is normal, that's the sound of the front driveline engaging. That said, try not to rev the crap out of the gas pedal when you're switching to or from. That will just put unnecessary stress on it. When I switch to or from, I turn the switch and take my foot off the pedal and just coast until it engages. Much smoother.

    Read the manual once more so you know what your dealer recommended limitations are. Then spend some time browsing through the forum here, and you'll learn a HELL of a lot more info!

    And welcome to the world of 4wd vehicles!
     
  17. Dec 23, 2011 at 10:49 AM
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    Tacoma Mike

    Tacoma Mike 48 Year Chrysler/Toyota/ASE/ Master Tech.RETIRED

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    NAAAAAAA don't worry about it.

    Basically it's not good to do sharp turns in 4wd on dry pavement. The funny feeling you get in the truck (like it's trying to skate around a little and lurching) is what we call drive line wrap up. It puts a lot of pressure on the drive line because of the difference in the radius of the turn between the front and rear and outside and inside. Doing it a lot can cause issues but don't panic if you forget once in a while.


    Enjoy
     
  18. Dec 23, 2011 at 10:50 AM
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    Wallygater

    Wallygater Well-Known Member

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    I drive about 10 miles or so a month in 4wd. I drive on straight roads in the rain and only in the rain just for added measure. If I have to turn I take it out and then when straightened up put in back in 4wd again. I try to take it in and out of 4wd as much as possible when doing this. It's starting to engage and disengage real well now with 11,000 on the clock.:cool:
     
  19. Dec 23, 2011 at 4:46 PM
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    Bobbb

    Bobbb "Rumors of Bob, but never Bob. It is Bob, right?"

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    As Wally's doing, the owner's manual recommends 10 miles/month to keep it all lubed. I don't live in the city so I just pick a mountain and head up it if I haven't been out in a while. I wholeheartedly concur with all of the above about limiting dry pavement as much as possible.
     

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