4x4 engagement question

I have a question on how much I should engage 4 low. I use high 4 times a month if not more. I bought the truck back in December and engaged low and high to make sure they worked they both worked. I use high but I never need low. Should I engage low to keep it lubricated or is high enough. Thanks Eric

 

Low is for slow speeds.

 

I know but I'm asking ever once in a while do I need to engage it

 

I've wondered the same. It takes a bit more "work" to engage 4Lo since you can't just do it on the fly while driving down the street.

You could always do it while you're in the drive thru getting fast food.. just do it on the part where you go straight.

 

In the Spring, Summer, and Fall I wait for it to Rain and then I engage 4 High for a few miles each month.

 

I pop her in to 4 hi at least once a month on a straight stretch of road, 4lo, whenever i get the chance to, (which happens maybe once a month as well) to run the tcase actuator through its full range.

 

Ya'll are wasting time by messing with 4H and 4L especially on road, asking for trouble. 4L just changes gearing, just drive the truck and have fun.

And stop engaging 4H on concrete.

 

It's not a waste of time and it is recommended. There is also nothing wrong with engaging it on surfaces that don't break free as long as you don't bind it up.

 

"Recommended" you shouldn't be engaging it on surfaces a tire can't slip. I've gone a month without running mine before, it's fine. You're supposed to put 10mi a month on in 4WD just flipping the switch on a short straight away isn't enough and the risk is too much.

 

You went a whole month without engaging your 4wd and your truck didn't blow up? Seriously?

 

Ya'll are acting like you HAVE to engage it so bad you must do it on the road.

That's just false, period.

 

Find a gravel or dirt road. Even a grassy yard or field will work.
Check a 4 wheel drive systems. 4 Hi, 4Lo, and Locker if you have it.
I recommend doing this at least once every 3 months.

I personally check all mine every other month.

 

No one said that. I said you can do it and its not harmful if done it the right way.

 

every couple months it makes sense to activate all drivetrain related acutators so they
work the grease a bit

an unused acutator is one day closer to death if you never use them

4hi
4lo
locker

doesn't matter where you do it, dry or wet or dirt. just know that if on
pavement or extreme high traction, don't drive hard and for too long, and don't turn too tight
or it'll stress out the transfer case

do not engage 4lo on street you'll just block traffic 'cuz you are going nowhere fast

 

So much wrong info.

unsubbin'.

 

Lets assume that the 4WD engagement system will at some point fail, or at the very least experience a problem.

If you only ever engage 4WD when you need it, then there is a 100% chance that the 4WD system will fail when you need it, leaving you totally boned.

If you need 4WD once every ten weeks on average, and you kick it into 4WD on a straight flat stretch of road as a test once a week, there is now only a 10% chance the assumed 4WD engagement failure will occur when you most need it, and a 90% chance that the failure will happen during the test where you can take note and fix it. Fudge the numbers to your liking, but the logic doesn't change. You mitigate a lot of risk by testing it.

This is why I frequently kick it into 4HI (and 4LO albeit less often and if there is nobody behind me) on the long flat straight stretch of road on my way to work.

It isn't going to damage anything if you don't turn.

 

This thread's IQ just increased.


OP, listen to everyone else but the guy I quoted.
TLD; Version, since you're engaging 4HI a few times a month you'll be fine.

 

I do the same exact thing a few times a month.

 

Why, please enlighten me as its a slow Friday at work?