4hi keep forgetting

i keep forgetting to disengage 4hi before i hop on the main road from my dirt road drive way. the only time a remember is after i drive 10miles around 55-60mph and i notice how stiff the turning is while trying to park. then when i look down on the dash, im like "oh fk". how do you guys remember to switch it off? this is like the 3rd time its happened to me.

 

Do you even need 4wd to get down the road?

BTW, nice action shot in your avatar.

 

Not trying to be rude but I just remember to turn it off when I'm done.

 

I always know when I'm in 4WD....and then there's that indicator in the dash as a reminder.

 

Put a piece of blue painters tape at 12 noon on your steering wheel when engaging 4wd, keep a roll in your central console. I've driven 60 miles at hwy speeds in 4hi before, usually after a long workday. This works to remind me

 

^^ what he said. Most guys on here only dream of having a driveway that requires 4wd.

 

thats the prob, i forget when im in a hurry.

 

Winter Canada and States a lot of people drive around with it in 4hi all winter. It's not good but I've changed very few transfer cases due to it.

I always remember after wheeling because of the tight steering onto the highway.

 

i cant tell plus the indicator doesnt catch my attn

 

Haha ya I used the painters tape thing once or twice, was enough to instill a mental reminder to take her out of 4wd, not something I've done in years, just trying to help the OP

 

trust me, you wont be able to get in or out in my driveway. its always muddy. ground is soft and water always stays due low level.

 

you guys think ive done any long term damage to the transfer case?

 

I know exactly what you're talking about. I often need 4wd leaving our lake place on a short spot. Like 3 seconds of 4wd. And Every Single Time i don't remember to take it out of 4 until I crank the wheel onto the blacktop.

 

I doubt it. I often drive highways in 4wd when patchy snow/ice covered. It's just a pain going in and out of 4 when roads are patchy and I'm doing 65mph. Very little cornering and I've not had a problem in 25 years of Tacomas. Not to say damage can't happen, but just need to be smart about it.

 

would this type of habit cause any long term damage?

 

Doesn't hurt anything, just uses more gas.

 

so far i like the blue painters tape and driveway sign idea

 

thanks for the compliment. thats my old 2010 prerunner dcsb in the background.