Yesterday I had a Stupid Moment

Now, I have forgot to put my rig back into 2 wheel drive after getting back to decent roads a few times, but always remember within 3 or 4 miles, and while still on gravel roads. Yesterday, I not only forgot, but drove 20 miles on gravel roads, and another 12 miles or so on pavement at speeds up to 60 mph before I noticed that light on the panel. Seems fine, but is there any possibility I did any damage?

 

Probably not. You mostly have to worry about turning when you have to much traction in 4wd.

Dont make a habit of it.

 

There's always the possibility of damage. Keep a close eye on things for a while. Anyone that uses 4x4 with any sort of regularity is prone to doing this. Don't feel too bad.

 

I've had this "stupid moment". More so now with a 4WD drive switch on the instrument panel. So far Toyota is fine.

 

My wife drove my 92 chevy 200 miles on pavement in 4wd pulling a horse trailer when the truck was only a year old. Never had an issue and traded it 14 yrs later.

 

As long as you weren't turning sharp enough to make the front end hop or bang it's fine.

 

unless you had the locker engaged, your fine

 

you would know if there was damage. ur fine.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I drove it yesterday, used 4 wheel drive and everything works and seems fine. I just hope I don’t have such a stupid moment again.

I clearly remember the days of the shifter on the floor and having to get out and lock the hubs. There was also more gear sound when you were in 4x4 then too. This is my first truck with the knob on the dash, and it’s way to easy to forget about, plus I don’t get all that extra gear noise with this truck.

If I did, that would have got my attention right away.

 

As longs as you are going straight its fine. In fact you should go 10 miles every month in 4WD to keep things in good condition.

 

Unless you felt/heard a bunch of weird stuff while driving, I bet you'll be totally ok!

 

Living where I do, 4x4 gets used quite a lot. The majority of my driving is logging roads and way back in the boonies where I’m not likely to see another human all day. More than pavement.

 

Sounds like you got her warmed up for winter

 

Oh I bet that's nice. I wish I lived in a place like that

 

no damage

maybe wore out tires a bit more than normal for the miles


in other words, no problem

 

Guess you never read the manual where it says to drive at least 10 miles a month in 4WD and no there is nothing in there that says on dirt mud or snow.

 

Gravel roads are fine to drive in 4wd.

As for pavement, if potential damage was being done you would have felt the drivetrain fighting you. Binding in sharps turns, etc.

 

This ^ Don't forget Tacoma's are not the only thing out there that uses that type of system if it was a big problem there would be 4WD parts all over the highway. The components have far more strength than tires have traction.

 

I use 4wd every day and I almost always forget to switch off before getting back to pavement. I drive a mile or two then remember to slow down and switch it off. 90grand on my truck and no damage yet. I feel bad every time though.

 

Damn, this place sounds like paradise.