4x4 questions

Hey guys so I just recently purchased a 2010 tacoma double cab 4x4. I've never driven or owned anything 4wheel drive in my life so I put it in 4hi and tried to turn out of a parking apace. It binded up popped super loud I went straight maybe 10 yards reversed and put it back into 2wd. Had the truck maybe 3 weeks did I damage it or how do I tell if I did? And I'm not clear on how exactly the 4hi 4low works or is used for? I live in northern indiana so im curious when the snow hits and it gets bad do I run 4hi 24/7 or only when I get stuck?

 

I do not have an owners manual that's on my list for things to get though. It has 69000 on it

 

Thank you! I also found a post the explains the different settings and how to get into them. I'm just worried about my truck, it still shifts fine, and it still switches into 4hi with ease

 

Your truck is fine.

Don't drive in four wheel drive on the pavement unless there is snow or ice on the ground.

 

Nope.

He did it once and he reports no further noises, vibrations, or grinding.

 

Here are some threads to browse (there are for sure lots more on here, as well). There may be some links of interest to you, or even just get your mind in "4wd mode" so you can formulate any more questions you might have. Lots of guys here happy to help.

See post #8: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/noob-at-4wd.132911/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/keeping-4wd-healthy-regular-use-of-4wd.393623/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/need-a-4-wheel-drive-lesson-and-when-to-use-what.396839/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/stupid-4wd-question.116103/

Unless you off-road, you'll probably never have a reason to use 4 low. In Indiana you may want to use it on occassion in the winter, but I doubt it will ever be necessary. As door ding said, the best all-encompassing approach is this: don't drive in 4wd unless you are on a slick surface (sand, snow, ice, mud, etc). As soon as you're on dry pavement again, take it out of 4wd.

In short, no you won't use 4wd 24-7 in the winter. Even on snow/slush, if you're just cruising around town, you probably won't need to engage 4wd. You'll get a feel for when it is needed and when it is not. If your rear tires are slipping when accelerating, then you might want to throw her in 4H for a bit. Mostly, you want to avoid turns (especially sharp turns) in 4wd when the tires are unable to slip on the road surface.

There are times when safety becomes paramount to worrying about your truck. In bumper to bumper traffic on scattered ice with lots of stop and go (commuting home in a storm on a city interstate highway, for example) I just put it in 4wd and forget about it. The road is straight enough, you're prob not gonna bind it up anyway. Play it safe. Used appropriately, you won't break it. Also, If your truck has traction control, it's pretty good for keeping you straight without the need for 4wd in a lot of instances.

Hope this helps. Happy to help if you have more questions.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/need-a-4-wheel-drive-lesson-and-when-to-use-what.396839/

 

I Want to add: you have snow days like we do in SD/MN. When the roads are white, you can 4wd all you want. Even if it's not deep. So long as the tires can slip, you're good.

Also keep in mind- Tacomas have a different kind of 4wd than most of the vehicles on the road now days. It is different than "all-wheel-drive" in subarus, Hondas, mini-vans, mom's grocery-getters, etc. So, Tacomas (and other "real 4wd" pickups, jeep wranglers, FJ Cruisers, etc) are treated differently. You can't simply "put it in 4wd for the winter"

Also, don't push your luck (unless it's for safety reasons as I mentioned above). These trucks are durable and well built, but "Playing around" with 4wd in inappropriate conditions can get really expensive really quickly.

 

Good afternoon amigos! You rang???

I think the OP is okay and you guys did great in providing info.

Hi Brazle, I also have a 2010 4WD Tacoma... it has about 79,000 miles on it (I got it new in Dec. 2009).
The loud popping noise is kind of like an earthquake when the built up stress on the fault line finally releases! Never turn sharply on dry pavement in 4WD. The tires need to be straight. When turning, the front tires rotate more than the back, and in 4WD you are "locking" the front and back together so they have equal power. Obviously, you don't need 4WD on dry pavement otherwise all cars would be 4WD. 4WD is made for traction off pavement. The All Wheel Drive (AWD) or "Full Time 4WD" vehicles have a THIRD differential which allows the front and back drive shafts to turn differently, no binding or popping!