4 wheel drive preventive maintenance?

Owner's manual says that once a month operate in 4WD for 10 miles to lubricate the front drive components. However, only supposed to utilize 4WD while on a "slippery surface" to avoid potential stressing the drive line since front and rear axles turn at the same rate and any cornering on a hard dry surface will create stress.

So, without any convenient slippery surfaces, I guess we are we supposed to get on a long straight stretch of interstate to accomplish this, right??

 

You don't need interstate, just 10 miles without any sharp turns. A slow, gradual curve in a road would be fine, or even just a few shorter sections of road and take it out of 4hi in between. Basically just something to get the oil coating the inners.

 

there's no dirt roads around ?? Don't operate the 4x4 on pavement, it's not designed for that.

 

Actually more the 10 miles you need to turn switch on and OFF. so even if you have 100 FT dirt road piece. Just use that.

 

I see no problem with driving on pavement in 4wd drive, just dont do any sharp turns, dont get to heavy on either peddle and your fine. The front and rear axles are geared the same so as long as you not turning to sharp thier wont be an issue.
I do this every month if I havnt done any trail rides in 4WD.

 

Every couple weeks i engage 4hi. Only while on a long stretch road. If a curve comes up i'll turn it off. If all 4 wheels are going the same speed it shouldn't put any strain on the components.

 

I asked my dealer machanic the same question. He said it woulnt hurt anything if you dont do the monthly 10 miles in 4 hi. Just use it when ever you need it. It will be fine.

 

Maybe if you had a locker, with open diffs it wont bind.

 

But with having open diffs any front to rear binding would be negligible because it would be lost/made up with the slip allowed side to side.
That is assuming it is minimal binding, if your doing figure 8s and donuts then you will have problems.

 

You can always do it on straight roads during rainy periods...

 

Or have some fun and go on a trail ride.

 

If putting you truck in 4wd is a problem for you, then maybe you shouldn't have bought a 4wd? Just my .02

 

What

My .02

 

I do the same.

 

From now on I'm saying " My tuppence worth "

Lol , thanks Anthony

 

Did you just watch Mary Poppins or something?

 

A spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down... and

Super cala fragi litpus (or something like that)! lol