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4x4 Manual Question>>>

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by XSB41, Jan 17, 2010.

  1. Jan 17, 2010 at 9:47 AM
    #1
    XSB41

    XSB41 [OP] If I had a hammer...

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    Was wondering...owners manual sez drive in 4x4 at least 10 miles per month...have been going to a local humongo park field here and puttering 'round to fulfill above requirement...is it OK to do this on hard surface road? Previous 4x4s I've had run gnarly on asphalt, and I don't remember needing to do this...thanks...

    *Have had it in 4hi on short stretches and it ran smooth
     
  2. Jan 17, 2010 at 10:08 AM
    #2
    BakoTruck

    BakoTruck Well-Known Member

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    That has been talked about on here a lot, and there is a lot of different opinions on the subject.

    For the most part you should only use 4x4 off-road, or on the snow on the road is fine too. As long as you drive on a surface where you can let you're tires slip, if the wheels need to. You're tires are able to slip in the dirt or snow, not on the asphalt.

    Some guys on here have suggested that you can drive 4x4 on the asphalt, but with some restrictions. Don't turn sharply, doing this can put a lot of strain on your transfer case, and the rest of the drivetrain. And they say don't go fast, not over 40 MPH should be fine.

    I would say keep doing what you are doing, and change the oil in the front and back and case every 20-30 thousand miles. Hope that helps.
     
  3. Jan 17, 2010 at 10:25 AM
    #3
    Terrier

    Terrier Well-Known Member

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    There are a few threads on this issue. Some say it is okay to run on hard road surface as long as you are not turning. Personally, I do not run on a dry hard road surface, even if I am going straight.

    Page 305 of my 2008 Owner's Manual states:
    "Four-wheel drive models-Toyota recommends not using four-wheel drive on dry hard-surfaced roads, because four-wheel driving will cause unnecessary noise and wear, and poor fuel economy."
    If you do a google search on running part time 4wd on dry hard road you will come up with numerous articles saying words to the effect of "don't do it".
     
  4. Jan 17, 2010 at 11:03 AM
    #4
    OffroadToy

    OffroadToy old, forgetful, and decomposing

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    I personally would never engage 4WD on dry pavement...your just asking for trouble. Even sharp turns on hard dirt with minimal slippage while in 4WD you'll experiance binding issues.
     
  5. Jan 17, 2010 at 11:05 AM
    #5
    Brunes

    Brunes abides.

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    You can get away with it on short, straight shots on the pavement- but if something unexpected (deer, kid, drunk, etc) happens- It can be a quick trip to an expensive replacement.
    Just keep running around that tract you have been...or get out wheeling more often!!
     
  6. Jan 17, 2010 at 11:46 AM
    #6
    XSB41

    XSB41 [OP] If I had a hammer...

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    Thanks much for the replies; not too many places close by to 4x4 for long stretches, and I'm trying to keep this one outta the body shop:p, w/ this being my primary vehicle due to the recent sale of my 'Burb. The field it is...
     
  7. Jan 17, 2010 at 11:50 AM
    #7
    8ballshifter98

    8ballshifter98 Giggity giggity, giggity goo

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    never heard of this, seems legit though
     
  8. Jan 17, 2010 at 12:37 PM
    #8
    David K

    David K Well-Known Member

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    It must rain in Virginia sometimes? If the pavement is WET, then it isn't 'dry pavement'... Do your 4WD lubricating operation when the roads are wet... Too bad there aren't any dirt roads or beaches for you to drive on and use the 4WD. Heck, it even rains here in California... sometimes!
     
  9. Jan 17, 2010 at 1:07 PM
    #9
    PA452

    PA452 Well-Known Member

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    Here's a recent thread that has been active within the last day or so asking basically the same question:

    http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/68960-need-clarification-using-4x4-2.html

    Personally I never use 4WD on pavement, dry or wet. Within the scope of actual use, I typically stay in 2WD until I either really need 4WD or think I am about to really need it.

    I can say for sure I do not run mine in 4WD 10 miles per year. But I engage it fairly often in the winter time just to get up the driveway and every now and then for some reason in the summer.
     
  10. Jan 17, 2010 at 1:12 PM
    #10
    XSB41

    XSB41 [OP] If I had a hammer...

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    Lol...yes, we do get rain; a little today actually...I should be able to find some dirt roads not too far away. Unfortunately, so much property is posted, and the mountain area we used to have access to has been gated due to vandalism and spot lighting of wildlife...not a lot of straight road stretches here either...time to start looking I guess...

    *Thanks for link PA, just saw it...
     
  11. Jan 17, 2010 at 5:39 PM
    #11
    skistoy

    skistoy Make mine a Double!

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    WOW.
    here we go again.
    Do you really believe that if this monthly running of the 4wd was bad, they would put in the manual????? Toyota is very smart, thats why they build these great trucks. It is not bad, it is good, why else would they tell you to do it.! It keeps components lubricated or just functional. It also familiarize's those that dont have a need for 4wd that often on how it works, what it sounds like, and how the truck reacts. I have done this on all my trucks since 1988. I have never had a drivetrain issue. As far as using it, if the conditions call for it I use it. For example, its been snowing for weeks here now, I have had my truck in 4wd for days at a time. Thats why i bought a 4wd, and sometimes i went from snow covered roads to patches of bare roads without taking it out of 4wd. The point is its ok to drive it a short distance on drive pavemnt to keep the drivetrain operational, just like greasing the zerk fittings, operating the 4wd system monthly keeps everthing in prime condition. Thats why its printed in the manual. and yes i have seen the drivetrain that exploded video, but i have only seen one out of millions of vehicles - hmmm?
     
  12. Jan 17, 2010 at 7:56 PM
    #12
    Plannerman99

    Plannerman99 Well-Known Member

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    I was both curious and concerned when I read about the 10-mile per month parameter in the manual. I've had a number of other 4wd (Jeep, Dodge, Ford) and never had this requirement (perhaps because those were solid front axles). I was worried about running on pavement, too. Then I thought about all those times we're running 4Lo on big, dry rocks and got over it. Now I run in 4wd when it rains, albeit in a gentle manner. I never hurt any other vehicles running 4wd in the rain and Toyota is supposed to be at least as durable. I suppose time will tell.
     
  13. Jan 18, 2010 at 4:11 AM
    #13
    Janster

    Janster Old & Forgetful

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    I put mine in 4WD while I'm driving to work on the highway when there's a really bad downpour (rain). This probably happens once a month or so. I've been doing this with all my 4WD trucks I've owned (3 of them) and haven't had any problems yet. I engage while going straight (and not under throttle) and disengage while going straight (and not under throttle).

    You don't want to drive around down while making turns while in 4WD.
     
  14. Jan 18, 2010 at 12:18 PM
    #14
    hashemg

    hashemg Well-Known Member

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    I've always been taught/told never to drive on dry payment in 4wd..i've done it once by accident and got the worst hop.

    anyways....as long at the pavement is wet/snowy or even covered in sand....just do it then. drive on an open trail/ the desert/ or even a grassy field...whereever...but i would personally not drive on dry pavement.


    the dealer also tells me i can change my oil every 5,000 miles but i do it every 3,000.

    conclusion...STAY OFF DRY PAVEMENT IN 4WD
     
  15. Jan 18, 2010 at 9:53 PM
    #15
    skistoy

    skistoy Make mine a Double!

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    Your not making any sence, your scared to put you truck in 4wd on dry pavement, as instructed in the manual, but change your oil every 3000 miles ????:rolleyes:
     
  16. Jan 20, 2010 at 10:43 AM
    #16
    hashemg

    hashemg Well-Known Member

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    What i'm saying is i'm not going to listen to everything the manual says. i'm not scared...its just plain dumb to put your truck in 4wd on dry pavement.....one sharp turn and there goes your CV at the very least.

    And as far as oil, the manual says to change every 5,000 mile w 5w-20. unless its synthetic oil, i'm doing it every 3,000

    see what i mean now. i guess i was trying to make an analogy and it didnt make much sense at first
     
  17. Jan 20, 2010 at 1:54 PM
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    skistoy

    skistoy Make mine a Double!

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    I understand, not trying to diss ya. I remember how my 1st truck was like my child. Just this topic has come up quite often, and now im on my third truck. my last one i had for 14 years and did the once a month 4wd religiously. Always tried to stay on straight roads, even went onto 4-lo as well. And i never had any porblems. So i understand the concerns, but i believe the recommended monthly 4wd, even if dry payment is more benificial, and not harmful.
     
  18. Jan 20, 2010 at 2:37 PM
    #18
    David K

    David K Well-Known Member

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    Don't 'they' say: "USE IT OR LOSE IT"...?

    Put your truck into 4WD once a month... stop debating it... Why buy a 4WD vehicle and not use or need 4WD?

    I have been four wheeling since I was a kid (dad had 2 Jeep Wagoneers, and a Chevy Suburban 4X4) and I had my first 4X4 at 17 (1975)... a Jeep Cherokee Chief. When that kept breaking (it's a 'Jeep thing') I sold it and got a Subaru 4WD wagon (1978)... and got two more through the years. Subaru went to 'AWD' and I went to Toyota (2000)... I needed a truck, anyway... Now on my third 4WD Tacoma.

    Tacoma 1 & 2 had each over 100,000 miles in less than 5 years... You can put it into 4WD and drive straight on pavement once a month... It will hurt nothing.

    However, it really should not be that hard to find a rainy or snowy day, or a gravel or dirt road once a month if you want to avoid a dry paved road to lube the 4WD parts... Use it or lose it!
     
  19. Jan 20, 2010 at 2:47 PM
    #19
    PA452

    PA452 Well-Known Member

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    Some of us primarily need it in the winter for snow. My 4WD gets enough occasional use in the winter that I don't need to play around with this "once per month" stuff. In the summer however, I very rarely need it.
     
  20. Jan 20, 2010 at 2:56 PM
    #20
    DdayIsNear

    DdayIsNear Well-Known Member

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    well , not doing what the manual tells you to cant be good for ya. if you follow the manual, and something breaks, you can then point it out them and say "hey, i did what you told me, and this happened, see page ???"


     

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