10 miles per month? Really?

Just got an '09 DC with the TRD Off Road a few nights ago. Skimming through the owners manual (which was obviously written by a bunch of attorneys...500+ pages of warnings / notices / cautions), I noticed it said one should drive the truck in 4 wheel drive at least 10 miles per month in order to keep everything properly lubricated. This is my 4th 4x4 I've owned in the last 12 years, and I don't recall any of the others mentioning anything like that (all were different makes of vehicles). I understand the need to keep everything lubricated, but 10 miles / month seems like an excessive amount, don't you think? Wouldn't a mile or two every couple of weeks be sufficient?

Btw, I'm loving the truck!

 

That is what I thought as well. I too have owned a fair number of 4X4's over the years. All of them GM products. I've never heard of such a thing as 10 miles per month whether you need it or not.

 

i wouldnt worry about that to much just keep doing what youve been doing you should be fine, i would probably drive a mile or 2 every 2-3 weeks make sure everything is in check

 

one more task i need to add to my list. it is always good to know.

 

10 miles a month? i dont think i use 4x4 10 times per year. lol

 

Sounds like those attorneys needed to fill some more space in the book or they had some sort of lawsuit where a guy owned a 4x4 and never used the function until after owning it 3 years and when he popped it in "4" it broke or did not even work. Sounds like they are covering their asses?

 

I do lock the hubs in on my 99 manual hub tacoma a few times a month just so they keep moving. Plus it's a good excuse to go out and use the 4x4. Also even if you don't use it on a regular basis, it's good to know it works the one time you need it.

 

Can I believe what I am reading? 10mi per month excessive? Come on, I am off road 100mi per day. Other than the fact that it is my job to be out there I own a taco and if I didn't use it for work I would be looking for excuses to go off road.

 

I think what was being pointed out was the absurdity of the requirement per the owners manual that 4WD be engaged for 10 miles per month. II have owned a number of 4WD pickups-all GM-and do not recall any requirement by them that 4WD be engaged at all unless needed.
You drive 100mi off road a day? OK, I can probably match that and I rarely find the need for 4WD on any kind of a regular basis, much less 10 miles per month.

 

Got it. Granted I have a Prerunner but I would always engage 4wd when off road in my old trucks. I don't like to rock crawl but the 4wd around fast corners was always a help.

 

All the Toyota 4x4s in my family (87 pickup, 97 4runner, 02 sequoia, and my 03 tacoma) all say in the owners manual to drive it atleast 10 mi each month in 4wd to keep the 4wd system lubricated.

 

Better to do it and not need it, than to need it and not do it.

 

Don't drive it on the pavement in 4wd though.

 

For me I make is a point to put in 4 wheel drive, when it rains during the year I used it, or during the summer I try (in not at the farm) to hit a power line trail.
I never had a issue with the unit

 

Back in the day I had an International Scout II and it said ONE mile a month and I never did it. It lasted for 11 years before I sold it and the 4x4 transfer case and all parts involved were the only things that I did not have a problem with.