4x4 driving questions/concerns

I bought my Tacoma brand new in 2011. I really like it a lot, but I have some concerns about the way it handles when I have the 4x4 turned on. I admit that this is the first and only 4x4 I've ever owned or driven, so I have no basis of comparison. Hopefully I can describe the symptoms and someone can calm my fears.

Specs: 2011, SR5, 4cyl, manual transmission

The best way to describe what I'm experiencing, is that the initial acceleration seems very "stiff". It's almost as if I'm fighting the car. The best example of this is when going in reverse. Normally when I reverse in 2wd mode, I feather the clutch a fair amount. I'll give it some gas, then engage the clutch to coast a bit, and then give it more gas if needed. When I do this in the 4x4, as soon as I engage the clutch, the truck slows down RAPIDLY The truck seems to basically jolt to a stop, like it doesn't want to coast AT ALL when the 4x4 is engaged. In order to get it going in reverse again I have to give it a ton of gas. Once it gets some momentum things start to work like normal. The best example of when this happens is pulling out of a parking spot.

I experience the same thing going forward, but only really when the wheels are turned all the way over to one side. It just feels like I'm really fighting the car.

Is this normal? Am I just a newbie? I can try to add more details if my description doesn't help out.

Thanks for your help!

-sirsethro

 

What terrain are you on?

If it is on street ....STOP IT (bats the nose)

 

These trucks are part-time 4WD. Do not engage the system on high traction surfaces like dry pavement and try not to turn the steering wheel all the way to full lock. Only use 4WD on dirt, gravel. snow. ice, sand... surfaces that offer some slippage. Engaging it on pavement will result in damage due to binding up... especially during tight turns. Read the links below for more information...

 

I first discovered this when offroad, pulling out of a spot near some hot springs. This was a level fire road. I rarely drive with the 4x4 on when on the road; only if it's raining like crazy or if I'm concerned about losing traction due to snow/ice etc.

 

Thanks so much for the links. Yes, "binding" that is a much better word to describe what I'm experiencing.

 

Really don't need 4wd in rain. IMO

 

Yes, no 4x4 on asphalt, only use it on dirt, ice or snow where the surface allows the wheels to slip and not bind. The drag feeling will always be there though when accelerating, your engine is powering 4 wheels now so has to work harder.

 

Fixed

If you think you need 4wd in the rain, you're going too fast for the conditions. I'll also echo what has already been said, don't use 4wd on any terrain in which you have positive traction. It will bind the drive line and could lead to an expensive repair bill.

 

It almost sounds like you are in 4lo?

 

It sounds like you just need to get in the habit of making your turns in 4WD more gradual... try not to make sharp turns in 4WD. If needed, back up and go forward a time or two to make a tight turn while offroading more gradual. Even on dry snow binding can occur if the turn is too tight... had it happen once on a parking lot. Only use 4LO when offroad if needed.

 

Thanks to everyone for their responses. It seems pretty clear that I should NOT be using the 4x4 on pavement (which I did not know and now feel really stupid). I was using 4H just to be clear for anyone that was wondering. Hopefully I haven't done any permanent damage to my truck!

 

You felt something that seemed wrong, came to the right place and asked questions. Shows you care about understanding your truck! A lot of people would just ignore it and do damage or take it to the dealer.

 

You'd know when the damage sets in, it usually does with a loud bang. If you didn't break anything, then I wouldn't worry about it. Consider it a lesson learned and be happy nothing bad happened out of it

Also, don't feel stupid, everyone starts somewhere. You aren't the first person to ask that question and you certainly won't be the last.

 

People use 4x4 in the rain? That doesnt sound like a good idea at all.

 

I just wonder if its OK to use 4 Low to pull a heavier than normal load a short distance on pavement. I thought about helping a trucker out of the intersection a couple weeks back. He was broke down and had flashers on and holding up traffic like crazy. I mean, dont get me wrong I never thought about hooking up and pulling it all over town, but you know..... just to the side of the road , like less than 100 feet.........

Situations like this is one reason I like manual locking hubs, I would LOVE to be able to use the gear reduction of 4L without engaging the front wheels!

 

I wouldn't even use 4wd in icy and snowy conditions on road except to take off from a stop, I shift into 4wd as I am approaching a stop and shift out once I am going again. Using 4wd at high speeds can actually encourage you to slide around a corner since the wheels are trying to spin at the same speed but can't; and really 4wd does nothing for you once you are moving (unless you wanted to accelerate rapidly for some reason).

The only time I am in 4wd continuously is when I am offroading in deep snow, sand or mud, or doing lots of crawling or steep hill climbs (basically when I think I am going to need it a lot), or just lubing up the system with my 10 miles per month.

There is a 2Lo mod on here (not sure if it works for the 2012+) that allows you to bypass the ADD and you can shift into 4Lo but basically stay in 2wd. I have it done on my Tacoma.

 

Say wut

 

x2

 

you uh, can engage 4wd on pavement, you just shouldn't turn.

 

Which part? The Lubing or the not much 4wd.

Ever used a locker in the winter? It will send you sliding sideways pretty easily when going around a slick corner, even at low speeds. Part-time 4wd will do the same thing it just isn't very likely at "in town" speeds. Doing 65+mph down the freeway in 4wd around a corner could easily cause the vehicle to lose control. Not sure if we just don't hear about it that often because it doesn't happen, or that it is attributed to "driving to fast for conditions", either way it could still happen.

I'm not dumb enough to do 65+mph down an icy freeway, but I see and know of people who thing they can just shift in 4wd and are invincible and can therefore do 75mph on the freeway in any condition... Instead trucks should come with rear driveshaft disconnects so you can drive in front wheel drive in these conditions. Much safer.