How do y’all “exercise” your 4 low?

I try and throw my truck into 4 high at least a few miles per tank full when not going too fast and traveling in a straight line but really don’t get the opportunity to throw it into 4 low during daily driving.

what would be the recommended amount of usage to use it (and where) to prevent problems when i do need it?

 

You can engage 4 low anywhere, just dont make any type of turn on a high friction surface such as asphalt or concrete.

Hell, find an empty parking lot and drive forward and backwards in a straight line if thats the best you can do.

 

Yes. And the actuators are what really needs to get used, so they don't get stuck. The transfer case will be spinning in a reduction gear in 4 low, so it does not take much to get the gears and axles lubed up.

 

No owners manuals?

Here's a legit link (Toyota.com) to a PDF version for the '06 in your profile.

https://www.toyota.com/owners/resources/warranty-owners-manuals.tacoma.2006

 

When the mood strikes I engage 4low driving around my drive way about every 2 weeks or so.

When I think of doing so.

 

Thanks for the snarky response (i deserved that) and the link.

all the 4wd’s i’ve owned previously have been with manual transfer cases & hubs so i’m not used to this technical gadgetry lol.

 

I’ll never forget on my 4th Gen 4Runner, the 4WD wasn’t working and was told to exercise the switch. I did this for several weeks and it finally got the actuator going.

 

The others are right the main thing that needs to be exercised is the actuators so they don't get sticky, also keep an eye on the vent hoses going to the actuators.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/4wd-system-operation-help-thread.742420/

 

Unless you drive very little using 4X4 with every tankful is overkill. Most owners manuals suggest about 10 miles/month and IME even that is overkill. It is important to use it regularly, and in the past I've had a vehicle that simply would not shift into 4X4 after many months of non-use. The lube in the locking hubs had hardened and would not let them engage. All that was needed was to disassemble, clean and re-lube. I've seen it happen to vehicles with manual locking hubs and manual shift levers too so it's not just newer vehicles. Use it or lose it.

I will STRONGLY advise against doing this on pavement, especially as much as you apparently are doing so. Occasional use of 4X4 if you are driving relatively straight on surfaces with good traction isn't going to lead to a catastrophic failure. But any time you're operating in 4X4 with good traction you are putting excessive wear on driveline components. The damage is cumulative and probably won't be noticeable initially. Everyone who has ever owned a 4X4 has forgotten to shift back to 4X2 and has spent a little time on pavement. But the more you do this, the sooner you're going to have something fail. I don't advise doing it by design.

If you follow this and other truck/SUV forums almost all 4X4 issues are due to operator error. Folks don't use 4X4 enough and have problems. Or it can be traced back to using 4X4 on hard dry surfaces.

During most of the year I find myself on a dirt or gravel road for at least a few miles that month. Sometimes for only 1-2 miles, but when I'm on those roads I shift into 4X4. It doesn't say the 10 miles have to be all at once. I will often skip a month but won't go over 2 months without getting in at least 1-2 miles in 4X4. Other months I may get in 100-200 miles.

I I don't think the distance in low range, or with the diff locked is as important as simply shifting in and out occasionally. This is one of those things that can probably be done in the driveway. The transfer case and gears in the rear axle are getting lubricated anyway. The real problem from non-use is getting the hubs to lock and to get the front diff lubricated.

 

I use it once a month, sometimes when I'm backing up my steep driveway with my dirt bike.

Other times I use it is when my secret gravel road is mud and I'm trying to get out with no wheel spin haha.

Pavement doesnt matter if its a straight line. Toyotas drivelines aren't made of toothpicks.

 

I’d be curious to know if it has to be 4LO.

I thought it just has to be 4HI once a month.
Which can be done going straight or probably slight curve is fine. But not major dry turn to avoid binding.

doing any of this was much easier when I lived in places that had varied terrain, natural land, changing seasons, and weather.

either way I plan to convert to manual tcase.

 

My opinion is that we bought 4x4s. How about we all make a commitment to take a break from rat race and we go where we can enjoying 4lo.

 

I put mine in 4h about once a month, when i launch my boat. That's about it in the last few years.

I just back up about 200ft and then go forward.

190k, and 200 feet once a month seems to be enough to keep the parts from getting stuck

Don't over think it.

 

in my case that is my Drive way !

where the rats even get scared .

A BMW free zone!

 

A couple weeks ago I had to use 4-Hi. Not the first time I've needed it in warm weather. I was backing up on a slight dirt incline to get some firewood, started spinning in 2WD.

I should engage it more routinely as stated here.

 

I just go drive around on fire roads regularly.

 

Nothing Like really being in need of 4x4 and it will not engage.

looking at a long walk or a unexpected camp out. Because of course you have no cell service.

I still like the manual Hubs.

 

My older Chevy truck has a manual lever to engage 4WD. I prefer that. Even though I work in the technology field I feel the less electronics the better.

 

I have a planned route around where I live. It has about 3 stretches of dead straight road that are just shy of a mile. I do this course every month in 4hi. Seems to be working perfectly and using the shift mechanism 3 separate times is good for it. Have only used 4lo twice since I bought the truck new in 2006. Last time was after my frame replacement in 2018 just to make sure everything was working as designed.

 

did this today. gracias!