4WD frequency of use

Hey all,

Perhaps this has been covered somewhere - I tried a quick search and nothing popped up that seemed to answer this. I have a 4WD 09, and the manual says that I should engage 4WD for at least 10 miles every month. Does everyone stick to this? Maybe it's just a good excuse to get off-road more, but I haven't even gotten close to 10 miles in 4WD yet. Any guidance is appreciated.

 

You'll be fine

 

Also welcome to tacoma world!!!

 

I use 4x on mine every other day it seems... In your case, I'd suggest you'd follow the manual. You can flip the 4x on at any speed under 60mph (on road or off) so just engage it on a straight-away on your way to work; it won't really affect the handling unless you are making sharp turns in a parking lot or something. INFACT try to only go straight on pavement, avoid turns on dry pavement in 4x, the contours of the road are ok, but avoid making right-handers at stop lights, u-turns, etc.

 

I was going to suggest throwing it on when it raining out to get rid of the no asphalt concern

 

Ignore that apparently. Wiser heads will explain it, but everything I've heard on our trucks says that we don't need to heed that advice with our 4x4.

Chris, over to you.

 

Technically- That oil should keep moving and not stagnate in that front diff- so this advice isn't totally necessary...but why tempt fate??? Get out and wheel your rig regularly- IT's good for you and the truck....=)

Welcome to the board!!

 

What's wrong with hard turns on asphalt when in 4 wheel drive ?

 

Well if you don't know by now, the first time you turn, you'll understand.

You'll break stuff. Just be careful.

I'm horrible at explaining why, but just think about how when you turn, one wheel goes faster than the other.... 4wd doesn't allow that.

 

Since your front wheels are now pulling as well, you'll bind the drivetrain.

Think about what happens when you take a turn. The wheels on the outside of the truck have to spin much faster than the wheels on the inside of the truck - well in 4WD it's trying to pull as equally as possible.

*PING*

*POP*

*CLUNK*

*TOW*

Keep it straight unless you're on some slippery stuff!

 

I usually just flip mine on once a mounth atleast. But thats just me.

 

like the others I engage it whenever I think about it and have a long straight road. Also gets used in the fields and down leeve roads.

 

Hey - thanks everyone! That pretty much answers my question!