Burn smell after using 4WD

I just drove 50 miles in snowy weather with 4WD engaged, and when I parked and got out it smelled like something was burning. I've had previous truck smell a little bit after driving in 4wd but not this bad. Is this normal, and what causes it? I didn't see any smoke or leaks.

 

I personally don't think I've noticed a burning smell with my truck ever.

Just curious, were those 50 miles of roads snow covered?

 

your truck a manual? is it brand new?

 

'09 TRD Automatic, 10k. I probably have several hundred on it in 4WD. Snow covered roads.

 

Where you in H4 or L4?

TRAC in H4 and A-TRAC in L4 (if you have an Off Road TRD and it's activated) uses the brakes to achieve LSD (Limited Slip Differential action)... If over worked, that may smell... although mine never has.

Was the VSC buzzer or any buzzer going off while you were four wheeling? The owners manuel warns that brake over heating can occur and a buzzer will alert you to let them cool off.

 

did you just recently start smelling this burning? or did you smell it a while ago after being in 4wd? If you are going over 40 mph in 4wd that transfer case starts to scream and builds up a lot of heat. I know it says in the manual you can go a certain speed (I think 55) in 4wd high but the reality is no part time 4wd system is made to go extended periods of time or at speeds greater than 30 for an extended periods of time.
How far and how fast are you going in 4wd?

 

I vote the cat converter burning off road crap that splashed up on it. The smell can get pretty nasty at times.

 

na, he would notice that more often. hes only noticing this after being in 4wd

 

Probably going between 35-50mph in 4H, but I didn't hear the brakes working or see the traction warning come on. Maybe it was coming on really lightly for the drive I didn't hear it? I really wasn't slipping much.

I always thought I could cruise at highway speed in 4H as long as I was going slow and off the gas when I engaged it. I did thousands of miles in my s10 at 65mph and not one problem. I hope I can expect more out of my Tacoma.

Maybe it was the breaks just lightly working the LSD for miles but not enough for me to hear or feel it. Maybe I need some kind of T-case oil cooler.

 

You can. I have and never got a hot smell from anything. Just engage below 60mph and off the gas like you are. I try to disengage it before tight parking lot turns unless it is real slippery, but that's to make turning easier and limit stress on my CV/U joints. The gears in the front diff and transfer case are spinning all the time. Meshing the gears together (engaging 4x4) isn't going to generate that much more heat.

 

I've gotten this smell when driving a lot in snow in 4wd (obviously, I'm not driving fast if I'm in snow in 4wd). And I've also smelled it on every other vehicle I've ever driven in the snow. I agree that it must have something to do with the snow splashing up on either the engine or exhaust parts. Totally normal IMO.

 

I don't think so... as we Tacomas have auto locking hubs, the front end drivetrain should be disengaged when in 2WD... at least that is what I thought... and I am on my third Tacoma with the auto hub feature.

 

I experienced the same thing when my truck was new. The overflow for the front diff oil pukes on the headers...my thoughts are its overfilled from the factory and a few drop overheat out. Been fine ever since.

 

They do as only one side gets disconnected and other side still have connection between CV and diff so as you drive cv turns and that turns gears in diff and sends limited low turn into the driveshaft. And thats not bad thing because everything gets lubricated even if not in use

 

That or grease from the front driveshaft gets slug onto exhaust.

Its a 4wd truck, i have driven days without taking it out of 4wd with all the snow we have been having. If its a still a concern, just monitor the truck for any additional signs, but i think your fine.