Periodically using 4WD

Someone told me that if you don’t use it… you lose it? True?

haha but in all seriousness, is it healthy for my Tacoma to put it in 4H once a month or so and drive 5-10miles? The concept makes sense, the longer it sits without use it would put more stress on the system when you really want to use it.

I’ve also read that you really should avoid driving in 4WD on paved roads though. Any of you able to spare some friendly advice?

 

the manual tells you to put it in 4hi for roughy 10 miles a month, read the manual for the types of conditions and if you do it on paved roads, just don't take hard corners or just find a dirt road somewhere.

 

Going in a relatively straight line for that distance won't really hurt anything. That being said, everything is already rotating when you're driving so I'm not sure I really see the point. I've only used 4x4 when I've really needed it (mostly a couple of times in the winter) in each of my trucks and have yet to experience any issues *knocks on wood*.

 

Absolutely you lose it….
Absolutely you can run it on pavement.

exercise that puppy….

I run mine once a week or two.
That includes low range
I also have a 2wd low module and exercise that also.
Keep your tires rotated and tread depths as even as you can.
Keep the truck fairly straight while doing your exercise.
Make sure it is straight while shifting to let the system relax
and let the wait springs do their thing.
Be patient. Don’t rush the procedure. Let the truck do it’s thing…

 

If you have to exercise it on pavement,

do it in a straight line for a few miles, or

do it during a full on rain, or

do it with snow or ice

Get the idea? You don't want to bind things by turning on grippy pavement.

Your owners manual would make good reading during the post turkey dinner collapse.

 

Nice pearly white smile!!! He should be a toothpaste model

 

You guys are awesome! Thanks a lot

 

Manual says to do it. Will it still work if you don't ever do it? Yeah, prob. 99% of people rarely use it or engage it regularly unless needed

 

I always wonder when reading these threads

why people buy a 4wd if they don't actually use it

I mean if you have to start a thread about "exercising" 4wd you probably aren't needing it much

 

Some people do it (like me) just in case. Maybe I want to go to the snow, maybe ill want to go off road. Idk. Also for resale value when I sell it in a few years

 

I sometimes wonder too. But... To each their own.

Some people just need a truck with a bed and don't need 4x4. Not everyone has gnarly road conditions.

My wife has a 4x4 but has no reason to use it 8 or 9 months of the year and only uses it as required in the winter which is rare.


I'm sure there are many other reasons.

 

This post has reminded me to turn on my 4wd for a bit on the way home today

 

hey random guy - thanks for adding nothing to the conversation. You seem like the type of person who always has something negative to say. After all, what difference is it to you “why I bought a 4WD”

maybe I’ve been notoriously poor for the majority of my life. Perhaps I spent a long time working hard and saving money to afford the truck I’ve always wanted. Maybe now that thus is the first 4WD vehicle I’ve ever owned I’m looking to learn a little bit more about it? Hmmm?

 

If left unused for long periods of time internal parts don't get lubricated and the 4X4 may not engage when you try to shift into 4X4. BTDT years ago with a Jeep Cherokee that my wife drove. The lubricant on the hubs had dried up, hardened and would not let the hubs lock when engaged. All that was needed was to remove the hubs, clean and re-lube them then it worked normally. Electrical components can also corrode if not used regularly.

I don't worry about exactly getting the 10 miles/month recommended in the owner's manual. Right now, during hunting season, I'm on dirt/gravel roads several times each month from September through May. I'll engage 4X4 for at least a mile or 2 every time even if it isn't needed. The rest of the year it may not get used as often and I may skip a month occasionally. I don't think you have to get in the 10 miles all at once. The key is to use it regularly.

I'd avoid doing so. If in a high traction situation don't engage 4X4. And that could be off pavement too. Hard packed dirt or rock surfaces offer enough traction to do damage. And there are situations on pavement where traction is bad enough to justify 4X4 for a short period of time. Pulling a boat out of the water, getting started on a wet slippery road etc. Just disengage ASAP after you get back on a surface with good traction.

Technically if driven in a straight line you won't do any damage. And probably everyone with a 4X4 has forgotten to disengage after getting back on pavement occasionally. As long as you don't make any sharp turns you won't break anything, but even slow gradual curves will cause excessive wear to components. We've all done it occasionally, just don't make a habit of it. Do this on a regular basis and you will severely shorten the life of your transfer case. There will be guys come here and tell you it is fine to get in your 10miles/month on pavement. Those guys are the reason I won't buy a used 4X4. Just because nothing has broken yet, doesn't mean it isn't damaged.

The danger of trying to lubricate your 4X4 system on pavement is getting distracted and forgetting to disengage before making a sharp turn at an intersection, pulling into your driveway or a business. Making a sharp turn could easily result in breaking expensive parts right now. The reward isn't worth the risk. Find a road with a loose dirt or gravel surface for this. Even driving in grass works.

 

Going into 4hi and 4lo once a month keeps the actuators from seizing up (rusting in place). I suspect that the reason for driving for 10kms would be to bring components up to operating temp.

I use my 4x4 for ski trips. My home town rarely gets snow in winter yet the BMW dealer across the street pretty much only sells bimmers with Xdrive. Apparently hipsters need Xdrive AWD for driving in the rain.

 

lmao nothing like a hipster driving an AWD bimmer with a roofrack

 

thanks for the insight, much appreciated!

 

Well then I would have thought you'd start with the owners manual but what the fuck would I know, I'm just random guy.

 

I have been doing it on all my 1-2 3 Generation and it is a good practice of rule. Once a month in the Summer. Winter it is used a lot more so need to exercise it.