4X4 Bad at highways speeds?

Thanks. Reading the first page of this thread I was thinking WTF , nobody knows 4 sure. Go left, no go right, no go what ever way you want to, huh ? Thanks for the ray of sunshine.

 

I run 4WD on the highway when its pouring rain out but I never go over 60mph. I do it mostly just to run 4WD and keep things moving/lubricated (so to speak). Haven't had a problem yet.

I will say, I've never engaged it at that speed. I always engage it on the on-ramp before I'm up to speed.

 

David K's got it right....those numbers are the shift speeds, not the max.

You should take care at highway speeds in 4wd, but I don't agree with the guys who say you shouldn't go highway speeds in 4wd. My argument is that a truck has very little weight over the drive wheels in 2wd and is actually less stable in bad weather than a FWD car with the weight of the engine over the drive wheels. Therefore, flipping into 4wd actually allows me to safely maintain highway speeds in conditions that make my truck less stable but not necessarily a car. However, I do agree that 4wd is not an excuse to go at breakneck speeds on the highway, it just helps to safely maintain a reasonable speed.

 

to the OP: 4 wheel drive doesn't help you stop any quicker in a slippery situation. If I feel I need 4WD I usually drive a bit below posted speed limits.

 

i had read this article with something about gear box wind up? anybody know how true this is?

i will try to find where i read this...

 

here it is :
http://www.4x4abc.com/4WD101/def_turnpart.html

 

Just hang on for a while and reed your statement again.
Take care
vbibi

 

It's not about stopping, it's about staying in control. It's about using 4WD to your advantage to help you stop, steer, & drive in a controlled manner on slippery conditions.

 

ON the 7th winter now... Just got back from 40 miles of Lake effect snow covered mess. I've got 1000's of miles locked in 4hi driving hwy speeds.

Seeing the O.P. is in Quebec, most people have snow tires and generally know how to drive in winter. You should have no issues maintaining hwy speeds in 4hi if the conditions are safe to do so.

 

55 or lower in 4 hi

 

You can go as fast as you want in 4HI, just keep it below 60MPH while shifting from H2 to H4.

Remember, 4 wheel drive does not equal 4 wheel stop.

 

I disagree.

4WD helps you maintain control. For instance - utilizing engine braking is better with 4 wheels slowing the vehicle down than with only 2 (prevents fishtailing). Also, while driving and making turns, the front wheels help drive you into the turn versus plowing into the turn. Aside from preventing you from fishtailing through out your travels in the snow.... 4WD does A LOT more than just for 'low traction' situations.

 

/\ this

I drive in snow alot. If I'm not comfortable in 2WD, then I'm certainly not comfortable going over 60MPH. And vis versa, if I'm confident enough to be going over 60, then the roads should be in good enough shape for 2WD.

Note that card in the truck says "KEEP" vehicle speed under 60. I read that to mean keep it there, Maintain speeds lower than 60.

While I'm sure you're not doing any damage going faster than that, what's the point?

 

4WD or even 3WD (referring to your arguement) is still better than only 2WD for controllability. I'd rather have all 4 wheels engaged & driving and allow my pedal control & physics do the rest.

2WD, a good set of tires, and a lot of gas + momentum will overcome the 'traction' issues but 2WD (Rear wheel drive) SUCKS in any slippery conditions for 'controllability'.

 

Yes it does and here's why. With 4WD you're sharing the power and torque with the front wheels. If the back is inclined to slip out the front still has traction and the power going to those wheels will help pull the truck in the direction you intend. Additionally, because you are sharing the torque and power, there is less likely hood for the rear to slip out because you are halving the power to the slipping wheels.

All this combined equals increased steering and responsiveness and increased stopping if utilized with engine braking as Janster mentioned.

That being said, I used 4Hi for my 2 hour highway commute in really bad slush snow weather, and I was cruising at double what I would have normally if I was in 2Hi.

Also helped that I was following a Semi who was putting nice ruts in the road for me.

 

lol ..... when i was in high school we went wheeling about 7 miles south of my house and i got my dads 90 bronco stuck in 4low, had to drive home down the freeway (only way home, no frontage roads out there) at 35 mph with the hazards going ..... needless to say he was pissed .... cant remember what the reason it got stuck was, the truck had a manual transfer case with manual hubs

 

4wd will make understeer worse. 4wd will however drastically reduce severe oversteer. If you hit a slick spot on an onramp in 4x4 you're not likely to merge onto the highway sideways. That is easy to do while accelerating in a curve with varying traction (black ice, hit a slush rut, etc) in a RWD vehicle with a light rear end. I've had two responsible middle-aged co-workers total their pickup trucks that way.

 

not sure about the 6spds, but im sure the manual says not to engine break...(atleast for auto trannys)