New to 4wd

2017 trd sport 4x4. I've never owned nor have I ever driven a 4x4 vehicle in 4x4 mode. To my understanding I only need it when the wheels slip on slippery or uneven terrain. Being that I'm in the city I don't have access to such terrain but you're not going to not buy it just because you don't need it, right?!? So, here's the question: the manual wants 10 miles per month in 4x4 mode for lubrication purposes but it can't be used on dry pavement. Read somewhere that driving on the highway on straight roads in the rain will satisfy that need and not cause damage. Yay or nay?

 

Yes. Maybe not highway though. Rain yes. Maybe look for some national forests or other dirt roads you can go explore.

 

It can be used on dry pavement as long as your going stright. If your on the highway and crusing below 45 or so, kick it into 4 hi and cruise for a while. As long as you don't have any big turns (like in a parking lot when your trying to park) you'll be just fine. It's so smooth you'll probably forget it's in 4wd

They are pretty tough, you don't have to worry about breaking it very much. And yes, it is a good idea to kick them into 4wd once and a while to keep the seals nice and wet so they don't crack.

It's doubtful you'll ever use 4 lo

 

I've driven 4WD's for years and have gone hundreds of miles without engaging it. If I remember, I engage it when it rains. Herky jerky when backing up or turning tight corners. that is normal and has nothing to do with not engaging 10 miles a month. Getting into 4wheel low is sometimes a little tricky. Rarely need 4WD as the clearance is a bigger factor than 4WD but it is better to have and not need than to need and not have.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7MF3q0v1hw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-Wy5ENm_lM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN6xHc7Nz-E

Might also be good to check out this one too if you don't understand the transfercase at all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1qj8dHTmP4

 

Go for a little bit of a drive out of the city?
Go explore a little
You have a 4x4, one of the most well known 4x4 for off roading too (among trucks at least), take advantage of it. Get out of the city and go camping or something and work that 4x4.

Just a suggestion.

 

Great! Thanks for all the helpful replies!! I'd love to get out of the city but here in dfw it's either city or private gated farm land. Any "off road" is really trespassing. Guess I need to look into some places to go to have more fun with it. Going camping this weekend but it's a state park and likely all paved roads.

 

dfw? like in texas?

Sure you could find something in the desert that would work.

 

seems a lot of new to 4x4 people are buying the 3rd gen lol.
Another member said that video 5 things not to do in your 4x4 that I posted should be stickied for all these new owners that have no clue what to do.

 

Most people around here buy the TRD 4x4 for the sticker.

Two fellow LX570 owners at the country club swore to me its RWD only and UNRELATED to the Land Cruiser!

 

Didn't know they sold 4wd's in cali

 

Well Toyota Dealers don't sell 4wd to us women in CA. Thus us women (you know the ones that get grabbed by their pussies), we travel out of state to buy 4WD

 

Everyone has their first 4x4.

 

I suppose you were born knowing how to do everything? At least he came on here and asked and didn't go out there and break something, then post on here asking what went wrong.

Up until recently it seemed like every Tacoma I'd see on the road out here was a 2wd but I'm seeing more and more 4x4 3rd gens on the road, even at the dealership. Not much use for one out here unless its for recreation or you live up where it snows. But if you're in it for the recreation, there are tons of places out here to wheel. One of the only things I love about living here, lol

 

Check the username

 

Hey, it can be real handy when finding creative parking solutions while mall crawling on the fourth Friday of November.

 

Just the opposite here. I'd say 90% of trucks are 4wd. When it comes to Tacoma's, either it's a 5lug or 4wd, no prerunners.

 

I'm another though i've driven them i've just never owned them.

 

I was going to say something...but then again your statement says it all.

 

I he

Tell me about it dude. Its like a new fad, im noticing it all around my area too.