Manual Transmission Frustration

Im confused. Why would you be in 4hi when on sand or rock/ snow crawling?

 

Yes. That’s what 4lo is for…

 

4lo in sand. Up or down steep inclines. Or any time you need to drive VERY slowly and creep over rugged terrain and stay under control. This is especially important with a manual. As noted above the torque converter really helps with an automatic and will allow you to get through more stuff in high range.

4hi usually works better in mud or snow.

 

Laziness. A couple times in memory I was driving down a road, saw something to explore, neglected to put it in 4lo, got into a challenging spot, and smoked the clutch a slight bit.

 

HI/LO range 101. If engine is lugging under low speed conditions shift to LOW range to increase torque to drive wheels. When engine rpms are too high for driving conditions then switch to HIGH range.
Examples for when to use low range:
Driving in sand, mud, rock crawling, climbing a steep hill at low speeds, boat launching, snow plowing, when clutch is burning, etc,etc.

 

That explains it

 

We do the same on the properties with the side x sides, if doing any or all- going slow, hauling weight, and/or going up/down hills,,, ALWAYS use 4 low, it's there for a reason, use it.

 

What? How?

 

We don’t have any sand around here (that it is legal to drive on) that you get stuck in or can’t go fast on, so I don’t remember having any trouble in 4hi.

 

4 hi will give you more wheel speed but it takes a lot more torque to spin aggressive tires in the snow or sand. In AT trucks this isn't a big deal as the torque converter creates torque multiplication, around 2.5:1. In a manual you get straight engine torque. I'd recommend 4lo you can always stick it in a higher gear to stay at a good rpm. Try to avoid stopping. Momentum is key. If you do stop for an obstacle try to get a running start so you have some weight behind you.

 

Nothin like the smell of a burnt clutch in the morning.

 

HAHAHAHA nice I ad one recently. 2022 with 10k miles and no clutch. Could dump the clutch and you couldn't tell, completly shot.

 

Sure it’s doable but even on flat dirt road, backing up in 4hi burns the clutch. Why put more strain/wear on clutch when it’s absolutely unnecessary.

Zero benefits being in 4hi at low speeds, 4lo gives you more torque, control and saves the clutch. Well and you don’t lug the engine too.

 

You killed the clutch on your 2020 in 10k miles?

 

No it got towed into my dealership.

 

From stand still, plenty of wheel spin in 2nd gear in 4low. I still don’t understand why would anyone use 4hi in those situations.

 

How is that possible after 10k miles? How did you drive?

 

@Junkhead The sand where you are must be completely different than the sand where I am. I drove the length of Padre Island National Seashore, 60 miles down and 60 miles back a couple weeks ago. 55 of those 60 miles are beyond the Park Service’s 4 Wheel Drive required sign.
I drove 90 percent of the trip in 4 Hi. I only shifted into 4 Lo in the deepest parts. I also was fine at 20 psi. So, everyone’s situation may be different.

 

only takes 5min if you do it right

 

Echoing all the above, as well as the 2Lo mod - Steep situations when you don’t want to be in 4WD (steep pavement) it’s a lifesaver, better yet a clutch saver.