4Hi Noob

Question: When backing up and the 2018 Taco with 35K on it felt like it would roll until it seized up. Gave it a little gas and after a bit of tire slip continued backing into parking space. (level surface) Is this normal? (ground was wet...)

The Long:
New 2018 35k Tacoma owner, never driven in 4x4 before. Was reading up in the manual about the mode and learned that it is recommended to drive at least 10 miles in 4hi once a month to keep it the stuff and things lubed. Considering I have never driven in 4hi in the past 4 months of ownership I took the opportunity to drive around the block. We just got heavy rain an hour before so the ground was wet. From Park I turned to 4hi and proceeded to drive around the block at first keeping it under 15mph until I felt the turn over from 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel. Corning you could feel the tires slip here and there (Tire tread is "ok" not new not to worn though). I made it back to my parking spot at work put it in Reverse and proceed to back into my spot at idle. This is when it felt like someone else slowly pressed the breaks until I came to a stop. Giving it a little gas I "broke" loose with a bit of tire slippage and I was in my stall. Regular drive (2 wheel) I could easily idle back into my spot without using gas.

Is this normal? What maintenance do I need to do to keep the 4x4 healthy? Again never owned a 4x4 and currently researching best practices any help would be appreciated.

 

You're feeling the bind between the front and rear axles from them not being able to turn at different rates as they are locked together in the transfer case in 4WD.

The wheel slip is that tension being released.

 

Google search 4 wheel drive vs all wheel drive and you will get all the information you desire. In a nut shell, tight turn maneuvers in 4 wheel drive are only recommended when the surface is slick enough to allow the wheels to slip and not grab.

 

i suggest you read up on the differences between AWD and 4x4 and when to use 4x4 and when not to use it. e.g. do not use 4x4 on dry pavement with much steering input. understand how to treat your 4x4 stuff or you'll break it.

 

So this is normal 4WD performance? My only fear is building up to much tension and having a failure.

 

Yup, oh and welcome to the forum!

 

Yes, it's normal. There probably wasn't enough power in the idle for your truck to move in reverse with the extra gears engaged. The binding happens in turns because the wheels are moving at different speed and don't match front and back. Don't be shy taking it above 15 mph in 4hi. The manual says they can go up to 55-60 mpg. That said, I wouldn't recommend high speed on dry pavement.

 

I have done the googling and have an understanding of the mechanical difference between AWD and 4x4 I just have never felt or physically used ether. Previously Owned a firebird and jeep patriot before this but nothing that allowed 4WD. Just learning what to look out for

 

yes it's normal, nothing is broken... yet.

4x4 is not for tarmac or any high grip surface. if you are always on-road, then you'll need to choose your 4Hi days for wet ones, preferably on a straight stretch of road or similar. run 10 miles on the highway and you're good. you can drive staight on a dry road in 4Hi but why would you? just engage when conditions allow for slip, and don't be a fool and engage 4Hi on a dry road then use your steering. read up on 4x4 and binding, that's the answer you seek.

 

Are all you guys high or am I misreading the OP?

Don't drive on pavement in 4WD, or if you do, only drive in a straight line. Binding is bad.

 

Thanks!

 

If you're going in a straight line (forward or reverse, doesn't matter) you're not going to bind the axles up. Put it in 4hi on a straight stretch of road to log your monthly 4wd mileage if that's something you're aiming to do. Better yet, find a dirt road to do it where you don't have to worry as much about binding. Or a neighbor's grass covered property whom you don't like

 

See if the local ice skating rink will let you drive in through the zamboni service door during after hours, and log your 4wd miles doing 10000 laps around the rink

 

this makes me wish i knew someone. ice karting, anyone?

 

I don't get anywhere near 10mi per month in 4WD. I'll engage on the gravel road at my work a few times every month, 500 yards or so just to get things moving.

I need to go off roading more.

 

I was wondering where I’m gonna get mine to go 10 miles a month off road too. I don’t even want to take my off the asphalt period. It’s all new and shiny underneath. Lol I heard you could go down the highway when it rains (per the manual I believe) in 4H but I dunno bout that. I heard that was bad for some of the parts.

 

Keep it going straight on the pavement and it will be fine in 4hi. Disengage 4hi if you expect to turn

 

not bad, just don't stress by turning on a dry road. running on the highway in the rain is totally ok. if you need to do any significant steering then take it out of 4hi and back in. you won't bind on a wet road unless you're trying to ignore the feel of the truck and common sense, both.

it's also true to say that if you have a good rain storm it's a good time to do 4hi on the highway just to feel out the traction change and handling change so you know your truck. 4hi is amazing on road in snow and harsh rain storms. big traction but you'll need to feel how it works, especially how it compromises your steering.

 

Gotcha. With that being said, is 4H engaged/disengaged immediately or does it take a second?

 

Sweet! Thanks for the input my friend. I’ll actually do that tonight on the way to Greensboro.