Keeping 4wd healthy - regular use of 4WD

Atrac......lol

 

I learned the hard way that it isn't just the number of times you engage 4 wd, but how long you keep it in. The fluids in the drive train have to warm up. That takes a while.

 

Good to know. Thx

 

This is good to know. Thanks.

 

From the Tacoma owners manual, "Four wheel drive usage" ""You should drive in four wheel drive for at least 10 miles (16 KM) each month."This will assure that the front- drive components are lubricated". That is a direct quote please note "front drive" and there also is no mention of only in the snow and ice, dirt roads, sand etc.

 

In the sections that discribe using H4 and L4 it specifically says to only use these settings on tracks that permit the tires to slide like off road, snow and icy conditons. We assume that when you do exercise the drive components by using H4 and L4 , you only do so under those conditons.

 

You might Toyota doesn't seem to care. No mention about that only an explanation of what 4WD is used for.

 

That just might be the manual exclusive to Maine. They figure the state has so many dirt roads it isn't an issue....

 

Ha ha same here.
In winter I use 4wd daily, or multiple times a day (no way to get home on the top of the hill over iced road)
Same here if I was back in city I would own nice FWD with a set of nice tires...

 

Ahhh, another dirt road guy. These are just what Tacos are made for.....narrow enough to pass other vehicles, muddling in the spring and driving in and out of ditches in the winter.

 

Yup
Most people have to go somewhere to offroad.
I offroad when i want to go somewhere.

 

Yes you are quite right they printed a 548 page manual just for the people in Maine that own Tacoma's only because they use 4WD pretty much year around and they want it to work when they need it.

 

The official state car is the awd Subaru and sate truck is the 4 wd Taco. I hear the Maine Edition TRD has 4 wd permanently engaged. The only 2 wd Tacos are kept on display or owned by summer residents.....

 

Interesting ^

 

Thats such a BS, I was told Official Maine locker is weld up Third member filled with bunch of metal in the weld like somebody else had done it.


Same for 4wd, just a welded Chevy transfer case...

Are you saying Maine folks are going soft.... ?

 

Not soft....just too many summer only residents.

 

I find a dirt road and do the 10 miles at least once every 40 days as well as shift through the different 4wd options. I tried to lock the rear today but I'm not sure if it engaged. The light illuminated under the 4wd light but it always blinked. Should the light stay illuminated when it's engaged. I was in 4lo.

 

Yeah if its blinking its not engaged.

 

Does it matter how fast you go while your in 4WD?