4x4 question

Hi all,
I'm about to purchase a 2010 AC 4x4 4cly. This is the first 4x4 vehicle that I will have owned, but I have driven a Ford F-350 for work. I have heard conflicting advice about using 4 wheel drive and would love some advice:
At work, I was told that you should only put the truck in 4x4 if the truck is NOT moving. I have also have been told by a friend that its OK to put the truck in 4x4 while driving on the highway (just don't have your foot on the gas.) What is right? Does it depend on the truck?
Also, my (future) truck is a manual so do I need to engage the clutch in to pop it into 4x4?
Thanks!

 

You can switch on the fly to 4H as long as you are under like 60 mph (I don’t remember the exact number). I do it all the time.

4L you have to be stopped, clutch in

 

Specific instructions for each vehicle is usually on the drivers side sun visor. My 2004 2.7 MT was shift on the fly.

 

I can also confirm the same, you can switch on the fly for 4hi. I believe the speed is 65/66mph 62mph and faster that won’t allow the switch.

It’s been years since I’ve tried it but if you attempt it over that speed the truck will continuously beep at you and will not go into 4hi even if you slow down below that speed. You have to switch back to 2hi, slow down, then re-engage 4hi.
Of course I should also note that if the conditions call for 4hi on a highway I definitely would not be pushing those speeds.

As for having your foot on the gas, the 4wd system doesn’t like to engage when the revs are high. When I switch to 4hi I let off the gas and it switches pretty quick. If it makes you feel any better you can always just flip the switch to 4hi and the computer will choose when to fully engage it, thus preventing any damage to the system (unless of course MT is different but someone can correct me)

edit: corrected max activation speed

 

I kick in 4wd all the time at 60. Just clutch in and flip that switch

 

Just because you CAN do something doesn't make it a good idea. You bought a 4X4, not AWD and there is a HUGE difference in how they work. To engage 4X4 simply flip the switch. You can do it sitting still or moving, clutch in or out, but it is usually better if moving slowly. It isn't unusual for it to take a few seconds to engage and if the drivetrain is under load it may take longer. Sometimes letting off the gas and coasting helps it engage faster. If you try to engage at a dead stop you have about 50/50 odds of the gears in the transfer case lining up to engage. If it doesn't engage letting the truck roll forward, or backward a couple of feet will allow the gearing to line up and it will engage. Do the same to get back to 4X2.

While it won't break anything to engage at speeds up to 60 mph or so 4X4 is NOT intended to be used on roads nor at high speeds. If it is safe to drive over 25-30 mph there is no need to be in 4X4. At those speeds it won't help and could be a handicap. This is where AWD is better.

AWD sends power to all 4 wheels, but uses technology to allow each wheel to turn at different speeds which is necessary when cornering. The inside wheels have much less distance to travel and will be turning much slower than the outside wheels. Your 4X4 is a simple system that locks all 4 wheels together forcing them to turn at the same speeds. When cornering the inside wheels MUST be able to spin a little on the ground. If off road, in snow, sand, mud, loose dirt, grass, ice, etc this doesn't hurt anything. But if on dry hard surfaces with good traction you run the risk of breaking expensive stuff in your drivetrain.

In theory as long as you are driving in a straight line on pavement nothing will be damaged. And for short distances, (10'-15') you're porbably OK. Otherwise it is not a good idea to be operating in 4X4 on pavement, even wet pavement. For short distances such as pulling a boat up a steep wet boat ramp fine, but not for general driving. Even in snow I only use 4X4 as needed to get me moving or up inclines. It only takes a second to flip the switch and use it as needed.

 

I agree 100% with this statement. Enough said.

 

To go into 4L you will need to push the clutch through the floor...

 

Just make sure when you do engage that your on a surface that has some slippage. Also, try not to make extremely tight turns like in a parking lot... even on dry snow you'll sometimes experience binding.

 

Totally agree with this 100%. Cannot see a need to shift into 4X4 at 60 !!

 

Why does it allow for transfer at 60mph?

 

Well maybe some of you guys just dont see extreme weather.

Probably dont have to drive for 6 hours to get some place in the same province either?

Where I live, you can drive for 2 hours with no snow. Then you cross a line and its full snow for the next 4 hours of driving. It takes another 4 hours because you have to drive slower as its snowing so hard. The 2 lane highway becomes 1 lane as the its snowing so hard the plows cant keep both lanes open.

@Marshall R This means you must engage 4H on the highway. I have done it.

The truck has 4H for a reason, for when you need it. To say its not to be used on the highway is just wrong.

 

I’ve for sure used it on the highway around donners pass. 4 lanes become 3 lanes going 20mph and then someone in a civic flys past going 60mph.

 

What? How come toyota says different? Not one word in the owners manual says anything about how fast you can go in 4wd..

 

Nice! You found the manual citing 62mph, I remembered it being a strange number but could not remember the exact speed.

I can also confirm that 4hi does not have a listed max speed and that I have done faster than 62mph in 4hi on dirt. In a safe manner of course.

 

yeah i've done 100% throttle 4wd 80+mph wash runs, 60+mph 4wd drifts.. I use 4wd when the ground is wet, I've left it on accidentally when traveling home from wheeling..

 

What is 4wd supposed to help with at 60 mph?

 

power slides

 

pulling your truck straight.. when im sliding sideways down a dirt road at 70mph i can go 100% throttle and it will pull the truck straight

 

That sounds fun. Would it be advisable on a snowy highway?