2011 Tacoma and 4X4

Hello Everyone,

I am relatively new to this forum and I am also a new owner of a 2011 Tacoma TRD Sport 4X4 V6. I have a question on switching between 2 vs. 4 wheel drive.

I read the driver's manual yesterday targeting to gain more understanding on when I should drive the truck on 2 wheel vs. 4. According to the manual, it is recommended that at least once a month I should switch into 4H and drive for a minimum of 10 miles to lub the gears. The manual did not ellaborate any further than that statement on where I should do this or at what speed.

Here is my dilema: Friends at work are advicing that I should never drive on 4H if I am on pave road cause that will damage the 4X4 gears. Plus they said if I have to run on 4H to keep my speed below 55mph.

Can someone shine a light on this and educate me!

Your assistant is greatly appreciate.
Vinh Le

 

if you drive in a straight line, you can operate the 4 wheel drive on pavement. if you try to turn with the 4 wheel drive engaged on the pavement, you will bind up the drive line and break something. just go find a dirt lot..... or actually go off roading
and ya, dont try to engage 4 wheel drive above 55mph.

 

Correct, no pavement driving in 4x4 mode, tho i have done this from time to time for very short distances.

About the speed, you should be fine in 4Hi at any speed, I believe it will allow you to engage all the way up to 63 miles an hour. The only time I have actually had to use 4Hi going that fast was on a snowy highway. But once it is engaged, you can go beyone that speed. Someone correct me if im wrong but my understanding is that this is 100% fine.


I figured driving in a straight line in 4x4 was fine as well until I saw this. http://www.4x4abc.com/4WD101/axle-wind-up.html

Granted that guy owned a jeep Still makes me not want to try though.

 

I engage my 4WD every month, usually on the 1st of the month.

even if for only a few miles, on pavement try to only drive straight.

if you have access to the beach, you could use that instead.

I also stop the truck, put in neutral, then engage the 4WD

I have done it on the fly, but find it easier when stopped.

I also then stop, neutral, and put it in 4-low for a short distance.

I have done this with all 3 of my trucks and have never had a problem

after the first few times, you will become a pro.

 

If you read the post in the link the Jeep guy drove 150MILES while in 4wd on a dry highway. So a couple on a straight section aren't going to hurt. If doing it on the highway switch on the on ramp and turn the knob. It sometimes helps to let of the throttle for a sec to help with 4x4 engagement. On the fly doesn't engage over 60mph. Once engaged you can go faster. If you don't switch to it sometimes, especially in the winter the actuator will stick and not want to engage. A slight tap from a hammer can help sometimes. Recc. transfer case and both front and rear diff fluid exchanges at 50,000mi. I did mine the first time at 3,000mi after this past winter along with my first oil change to synthetic. Note: During the fluid exchange there was quite a bit of metal shavings in the fluid from the gears wearing in, I only did mine because I work in service the fluid was "free."

 

The Tacoma won't break... It is more difficult to turn on dry surfaces in 4WD because there is no give betwen the front and rear drive shafts... When turning, the front tires rotate more than the back... this is the 'binding' you read. So, if you cannot drive during rain or snow on pavement (if you can't drive off highway at all), than do so on straight runs as suggested... Not doing it won't cause you to loose the system either. I have four wheeled a lot, but there may be months I didn't use it... and I am on my third Tacoma.

As for the speed thing, the limiting speed suggested in the manual (and your card in the sun visor) is for ENGAGING the 4WD... once in H4, you can drive as fast as you want. But seriously, you don't need 4WD if you can drive that fast.

Welcome... and try and find dirt roads or fields, beaches, etc. where you can enjoy your 4X4!

 

Wow! Thank you everyone for your valuable inputs and recommendations! I am extremely thankful for the education! P.s. I love my new truck!