Question about heavy driving in 4HI

so i just picked up my 09 4x4 TRD sport and today it snowed a few inches for the first time since ive had it. I was on the highway and backroads on and off and i had the truck in 4HI the whole time. I was prob doing 70+ on the highway in the stretches where it was just wet and there was no snow but would slow down when i saw slush.

When i got home i smelled something burning when i stepped out of the truck but couldent tell if it was gear oil or not. All of my fluids were replaced last week. I know the manual says not to switch into 4HI above 50 MPH but from what ive read theres nothing against going faster then that.

Any tips/advice?

 

Nothing wrong with going over 50 mph in 4 hi so long as the conditions are safe enough to do so.

 

Only use 4 wheel drive when it is needed and on soft surfaces such as packed snow or ice or off road. If the conditions are safe enough to drive 70+ MPH it is not needed.

 

I've occasionally noticed some 'hot' smells after using 4wd.

 

The real question is can you effectively make evasive maneuvers or stop while doing 70 in 4 hi on public roads.... As a general rule if its slick enough to require 4wd you should be going less than the speed limit. One thing to remember despite what the marketing and commercials tell you is that awd/ 4wd don't help you stop or make emergency maneuvers. They only help in getting going and keeping going ahead. /soapbox

 

70 was on the "wet" highway and was only for brief period of time between patchy areas. I wasent driving any faster then anyone else who had 4WD and just keeping up with the flow of traffic. Im just not sure how you can turn 4WD on and off everytime the road clears up for a few miles.

 

Don't need 4wd if it's wet