New 4X4 owner. Question about 4Hi engagement.

I just purchased a 2021 Tacoma TRD OR and wanted to make sure 4WD is working and had some issues? Looking to hear some insight from y'all since it's my first 4wd vehicle.
So I took the truck on some gravel and tried engaging 4HI from neutral, no luck, the icon kept blinking for over 30 seconds. Then I tried switching back to 2wd and the 4WD dash icon continued blinking. I ended up having to turn the vehicle off to reset it and that worked. I realized I am probably not engaging correctly so I called the dealership who walked me through it. He said to switch it to 4Hi while actually driving it, so I did, and everything worked fine. When I switched back to 2wd, it took a while for the 4WD icon to stop blinking, but eventually did so. Is this normal experience for folks? You have to be moving the vehicle in order to get 4Hi to engage? I saw a youtube video of some guy having the same issue and he ended up needing a new actuator, just want to make sure I'm not having the same issue. Thanks.

 

Yes. 4Hi can take some forward / reverse motion and possibly a wiggle of the steering to get all the splines aligned. 4Lo requires us to be stopped in Neutral. You don't need to be on gravel to test these out. Just driving straight wherever it is convenient. If you do turn on pavement or hardpack, the system will bind up.

Like you are seeing, it is good to get used to how the 4wd system works before you need it. I would recommend doing the same with the rear locker if you have an OR or Pro and for the traction control system. See the Traction Control sticky as the owners manual does come close to explaining it.

 

Yes basically normal. Read the manual before you start playing with 4lo.

 

You probably want to start driving a little after engaging it.

 

When I click 4hi on from a stand still it blinks and when I start moving it turns solid. I don't think I ever just sat there and waited for it to turn solid Mine blinks for a bit when I turn it on and quits very shortly after it's engaged. It also blinks for a bit when I disengage it and then turns off shortly afterward when I start moving again. I can't recall turning mine on and off on the move as I usually turn it on before I enter 4x4 territory and stop to turn it off after exiting. I'm sure it's fine on the move, old habits die hard I guess.

 

Awesome thanks! I'll check out the sticky.

 

You're welcome!

 

Oh, driving in snow country, I've gone from 2hi to 4hi on the go, at about 45mph when the road turns to solid snow. It slips right in.

 

The old saying is 4Hi on the fly, 4Lo stop and go.
2Hi > 4Hi Or 4Hi > 2Hi while driving along. Preferably not under heavy load or spinning the wheel or whatever. Just try to get the front and rear axles spinning about the same speed.

4Hi > 4Lo or 4Lo > 4Hi you gotta come to a stop, put it in neutral, and let off the brake (just barely rolling fwd or backward) and it should drop right in.

How not to shift into 4Lo:
While driving. I think the warning buzzer sounds at anything over 2mph.
While in park
With your foot hard on the brake

 

Oh that saying is perfect!

 

My 4HI engagement is pretty inconsistent, sometimes goes in with in seconds other times I've had it take 1/4 mile on straight ground at 30mph to finally engage. It's shitty, but "normal" according to Toyoter.

 

Another good resource for operating the controls in the truck is the Owner's Manual, typically found in the glove box in front of the front passenger seat.

 

Gaze upwards while sitting in the driver's seat. The answers to your questions will be revealed...

 

I always try to roll and let off the gas. Not on an incline or climbing up hill, otherwise will roll backward. Or if driving and need to engage just let off the gas and engage. It should engage rather quickly. once engaged, hit the gas. If you are new to 4wd it is important to not use on dry pavement or making sharp turns. For example, pulling into a parking spot with wheel completely turned on dry pavement (worst case scenario). Due to the difference in tire rotation the truck will actually try to pull you the opposite way you are turning. I can just feel the torture of the gears

 

I looked at it. It's vague. It says you 'can' shift at anytime from 2wd to 4wd so long as you are driving under a certain speed. It doesn't say anything about not being able to switch to 4wd from neutral. It doesn't mention that moving the vehicle while switching works more smoothly.

 

Yep.....it doesn't hold your hand or give you compliments either.

driving = moving.
Neutral is in the transmission, not the transfer case. Transfer case is always in a "gear". Typically, you aren't moving in neutral.

 

What does hand holding and compliments have to do with anything? Again, it says you 'can' switch while driving, not that you must. I know the difference between drive and neutral, that wasn't the question. The question was about when it is best to shift into 4hi.

 

When rolling, moving, driving at speeds less than 60 mph. Just as detailed in the manual.

It helps engagement when you ease off the throttle a little, but you don't have to ease off.

The transfer case is separate from the transmission. It is always in "gear". The switch on the dashboard is "shifting" the transfer case.

 

Shift on the fly to 4wd. I have shifted at speeds up to the specified limit, about 60 mph if I remember correctly, smooth as silk. I've tried it at 70 mph and it just says "nah, not trying". The shift is the smoothest if the drivetrain isn't loaded up meaning no hard acceleration, no braking, and no heavy engine braking. I let off the gas just enough to not have everything loaded. Also, you don't want to do it with the wheels turned or any wheels slipping as this is going to introduce mismatched speeds and harsh or possibly damaging engagement.

You CAN shift to 4wd at 0 mph or with the transmission in neutral, but it's a crap shoot if the dogs of the 4wd clutch in the transfer case and the dogs of the ADD sleeve are aligned. When moving, everything rotates relative with each other a bit as speeds are matched by the syncro in the transfer case at the shift collar and at some point everything will cross into alignment and accept engagement.

The 4wd to 2wd shift is the same except you need bind, wind-up, or engagement forces relieved so the clutches can disengage. Whenever the 4wd light is blinking it's telling you it knows you have requested action and it is in the process of completing that task. It goes solid or off when the task is complete. You have the ability and sometimes a requirement to help it out.

 

Thanks, this is actually really helpful.