4x4 in rain

i know you're not supposed to engage 4x4 on the dry pavement....what about then it's raining?


i've already had the "happy ass" happend a couple times this week and yes being a little lighter on the throttle in corners can mitigate any rear end sliding i was just wondering if it was ok to engage the 4x4 on rainy wet roads?

i also want to confirm if it's ok on snowy paved roads (light dusting etc)

 

The basic issue is traction. When you have 4x4 engaged you basically don't have a differential. So, when turning, if your wheels can't slip you could lock things up and damage parts.

I wouldn't engage 4x4 in rain, unless it was a real serious standing water on road rain. Light dusting of snow is the same. To much traction for it to work right in a turn, IMO.

If you feel like your sliding to much you might want to check your tire tread. Or, as you stated, slow down when cornering. You could also get a couple 50lb bags of sand and throw them in the bed over the rear axle. That helps too.

 

i barely use 4x4 in the snow unless its dumping or icy never in the rain

 

I ve never even though about using my 4 wheel drive in the rain. Everyone is right on here slow down a bit and check your tire tread.

 

As mentioned, your tires could be part of the problem.

I put a new set of BFG KMs on mine at the beginning of summer. They were great on the trail but not so great on the wet pavement. Now that the rainy season is here I'm thinking of having them siped. Its either that or slow down a lot.

 

Check your tire pressure to confirm it's set correctly and not too high for some reason and also take a look at the condition of your tires. Bald and or badly worn tires will greatly contribute to bad traction in the rain. I'll bet more than anything that's the problem. Also, just be careful on how you drive.

I wouldn't ever engage the 4x4 in the rain because as mentioned, it's best to only have it in when the tires can slip and break traction a little bit when turning.

 

it doesn't matter what you're driving on in 4x4 as long as you don't turn. but if you ever want to turn it needs to be on dirt, gravel, snow, etc.

 

Yeah I engage mine on dry pavement on occassion ONLY when I am going straight down the road and not making any turns usually only for a mile or less, thought it was a good idea only to lube stuff up in the front diff.

I will put it in 4 L with the ingnition on but not running and press the rear diff lock only to hear the thing click, thinking if you don't use it you will lose it.

 

What he said.... especially if your tires are a little old and worn, if you're having trouble with traction and you're going straight I don't see the harm in using 4 wheels. On my old tires, there are a couple hills around town where I'd lose traction if I had to stop at the red light, so I'd put it into 4 hi to start and once I got going I'd drop it back into 2. If you aren't turning there won't be any binding.

The ultimate answer though is to get better tires if yours aren't hooking up in rain.

 

There have been threads before on the use of 4x4 on dry, wet or snowy surfaces and the responses are very scattered. Personally, if you think you need 4x4 in the rain, you're driving too fast, SLOW DOWN. Snow is a judgement call, I don't use it unless I physically can not travel through the depth of snow without it or am parking and need slow speed control. Using 4x4 on dry pavement to me is just asking for trouble. Do it if you want but it's putting unnecessary stress on various parts of your drive train. As far as using 4x4 to lube up various parts, your call. I use it when I need it. The only thing you're really using is the switch, your front end has moving parts regardless of whether 4x4 is engaged or not.

 

thanks for the replies

obvisouly i'd never use it on dry pavement...i said that in my first post

the tires are newer meaty kuhmo's, so not really alot of traction for the wet roads....i'm hoping they'll be solid in the snow though

sand bags etc is what i was planning on doing, expecially once the snow starts

thanks guys

 

If your tires are getting thin (low tread) - can cause fishtailing in the rain. If your air pressure in those tires are too high....can also cause fishtailing in the rain.

My tires are stock from factory and they have 30k miles on them and there's about 1/4" (or less) tread on them. THey suck in the rain....and I'm totally aware of it. You just gotta go slower when first accelerating, especially when making turns.

 

So, are you saying you're running mud terrain tires?

IF YES, then that's your problem. Mud Terrains suck in the rain.

 

To be clear, you don't have a 'middle' differential like AWD cars have, but you do have the front and rear differentials. The left and right wheels on the same axle can slip (because of the differential), but the front and rear drive shaft are locked together when in 4WD, so there is no slippage between them... and that is why steering can be difficult in 4WD on the road.

When the road is very slippery (heavy rain, oily surface, etc.) then using 4WD will be a great driving advantage. If there isn't enough slippage you will have difficulty steering and that is a sign to go back to 2WD.

The newest trucks now have TRAC/AUTO LSD/VSC and steering and control in rainy weather is much improved that using 4WD is not as big an advatage as before in the rain.

 

The only times I ever used 4 wheel drive in my old truck was snow or mud. I never used it in rain.

 

ya looks like they are the Road Venture MT's


i might pick up a set of rims/tires off a newer tacoma off craigslist

how will these MT's be in snow??

 

Exactly right, I was just simplifying for the sake of brevity.

 

10-4, and I was just 'extending the answer' because I got little else to do, sadly!