4WD Question

Often when I am in 4WD in my 4cyl 5 speed 2001 Tacoma - whenever I make a sharp turn, such as turning into my driveway, it feels like the truck locks up, and it comes to a stop, almost as if someone is standing on the brake.

It worries me because if I am ever out in a snowstorm, I could be hit if I can't get out of someone's way.

Should I take it back to the dealer? It is relatively new.

 

Are you on dry road? If so, then you shouldn't be in 4wd.

 

^^ this. sounds like your drivetrain is binding up because you have too much traction to need to be in 4wd. remember, this is part-time 4wd, not full-time AWD like a subaru.

 

Only use 4WD when 2WD doesn't provide traction to move you. If one needed 4WD to turn into a driveway, then all cars would have it.

Sounds like you are in dry weather, and maybe on pavement?

The reason steering sharply when driving slow is difficult in 4WD (on dry surfaces) is that each of your 4 tires must rotate at a different speed, as they travel different distances when turning... The differential allows the left and right tires to turn differently.

BUT, in 4WD the front and rear differential are connected together, and when you turn, there is a difference in rotations in the front vs. the back axles... on loose surfaces (sand, mud, snow, gravel) this difference just slips on those surfaces. On dry pavement it cannot, so steering is hard.

All Wheel Drive (full time four wheel drive) cars have a third differential that allows the front and rear drive shafts to turn at different speeds, allowing them to drive on dry pavement.

 

Thanks. The owner's manual says to use the 4WD at least once a month, so I am doing that. They say it is to keep the gears lubricated.

I guess they mean to go 4-wheeling.

 

No...Find a dirt road kick it in for a mile or so...the kick it out. I just flip the switch every now and then on mine on pavement with out making any turns. I wouldnt suggest that method because its not recommended.

 

Pretty much yes.
2wd are for those that do not get snow, and do not leave the pavement
AWD are for those that DO get snow, and do not leave the pavement
4x4 are for those hat DO get snow, and DO leave pavement.

If you bought 4x4 then you need to take care of it. So find dirt road and enjoy the pavement free road.
BTW: It does not have to be 10 miles, you can flip 4x4 switch few times for 4x4 to engage and it will do the same thing. Toyota wants to make sure forks dont wear out spots. So if you dotn have 10 miles simply on flat straight road. engage 4x4 once it engages disengage and then try again. Thats all lubrication needed. Also make sure not only you engage 4x4 Hi but also 4L (ow)

 

When it stops your vehicle like that, that's your transfer case telling you it hates you and wishes you were dead.



Stop it and be nice to the lil guy.

 

Krazie, I hope that's not yours and you're speaking from experience!!

 

Thats what happen when you fill transfer case with break fluid because you tough its power steering.

 

High traction area's like pavement will cause problems with part-time 4WD when making sharp turns. Even driving offroad on solid surfaces will cause the binding sometimes while turning sharp. Just make a habit to try to use 4WD in loose dirt, gravel, snow, ice, sand...any surface with some give to it. Always make your turns gradual. Read the signature links below...

 

Nope, that's off of a Jeep Cherokee.


Just type broken transfer case into Google and enjoy.

 

HAHA... This is your transfer case, now this is your transfer case on pavement...