Winter Driving - When to use 4X4?

I'll be honest, I'm still new to 4X4s, so I just want to make sure I don't blow up my transfer case.

Two schools of thought I'm being told are -

If the rear wheels will spin, put in in 4-High.

and the polar opposite -

Never use 4X4 on the road, it's to get your out of the ditch you just slid into.

Roads today are super slick - a blip of the throttle will send the rear swinging out and everyone is spinning at stop signs.

 

Use it all the time when the roads are slippery, it wont hurt anything.

 

They are on... just low speed. Thanks!

 

My wife and I drove from Pittsburgh PA to Richmond VA on the 26th. The snow/ice was thick enough on the highways that you couldn't see the pavement at all. I drove about 150 miles in 4hi until I started seeing patches of pavement south of Winchester VA, then switched back to 2wd. I didn't experience any driveline binding whatsoever, and the truck is no worse for the wear. That was the first time for me using 4wd for such an extended distance, and I was very conscious of the condition of the road surface the entire time.

You cited two vantage points that are on opposite ends of the spectrum, but I think that using logic and knowledge of how your drivetrain works will land you somewhere in between. If there's a chance that you'll experience driveline binding (i.e. if your tires can get traction >50% of the time), don't use 4wd. If not, then use it, it's better than ending up on the side of the road with damage to your truck.

 

Hey. I drive on a lot of winter roads in personal and work vehicles. The biggest benefit of 4wd for a truck (in my opinion) is to keep you from losing your back end traction on turns and accelerating up hills.

Use the 4wd if you are on bad roads and want the extra traction. If the roads are so much as wet you're not likely to hurt anything. (I wouldn't be turning super tight though).

I have spoken with many people who have ditched their 4wd trucks because they were in 2wd. You paid for the added security of 4wd. Use it!

Remember though... 4wd doesn't help you stop. (unless you are gearing down yadda yadda yadda)

And don't feel like you need to crawl in 4wd. You're fine doing 50 on the highway. Weather should dictate speed more so than the transfer case.

 

I'm pretty sure that if you live in a place where there is snow all winter long you could have it engaged all winter. If you think about what is actually going on.. it should be fine, especially if the roads are slippery, the truck will move the tires on the slick road to avoid binding before metal bends.

If you are nervous about driving in the snow.. go ahead and use 4wd, thats what its there for.. then just turn it off when the asphalt

 

If your drive tires are slipping, you need to be in 4WD.

On roads like you show I'll keep it in 4WD. If conditions seem to be improving, just slide a little bit to the left or right so you get one set of tires off the clear pavement into the snow every now and then to remove any chance of binding. Switch back to 2WD right when you pull into somewhere to park with clear pavement.

 

I use it in those condition for better control, just don't allow yourself to get over confident. 4X4 still can't stop any better than anyone else. I never use it on dry paved roads only on dirt/gravel. I belive the book says to excercise the every couple of months to keep the fluids active.

 

In the situation shown above it's dealers choice. If I slip a lot and feathering the pedal doesn't get me going I'll switch it into 4-hi and usually stay there. I did that today and kept it there for about 30 miles driving around the area. I even found a spot where I could switch to 4-lo and engage the locker for a mile or so. Handles great with the locker, 4-lo and a heavy foot.

 

I drove through a storm in 09'. Hit it around Richmond VA all the way to my home town in MD which is about 200 miles. Put in in 4 Hi once the snow was building up the road, made it just fine though it took a couple hrs longer than normal. Have not experienced any problems yet.

 

Definitely would use it in those conditions!

 

When it snows

 

If you think it's slick use it that's why you bought 4X4 it will not damage it.

 

boom

 

I use mine when it is under 32 degrees, snowing, and when you can definitely tell there is ice. 4x4 is okay to use on roads, which I do. Just don't go real fast with 4x4 engaged.