4x4 newbie question

Getting used to my 2019 Tacoma 4x4, I have sparingly used the 4x4 on my Tacoma and I just wondered...

While driving in 4x4 mode, is it safe to park the truck and turn off the engine without first disengaging the 4x4?

 

Totally fine to park.

Main thing to know is: Don't be driving in 4WD on dry paved roads. You'll destroy your diff if turning in 4WD if the tires have traction. Ok to drive in a straight line on dry pavement, but turns (especially tight turns) are a big no-no. You really only want to be using 4WD in places where the tires don't have great traction as they need to spin at different speeds. It's not the same as an AWD system you can just mob around everywhere on.

 

Yes this doesn't hurt anything.

Just make sure not to drive on the hard top road with the 4x4 engaged. If it's a must, it won't hurt it to go straight on the hard top but once you start turning you will feel why!

 

If you need to engage on pavement going straight don't make a habit of it... too easy to forget to get back into 2WD before making a turn and binding things up. When going back into 2WD to avoid the driveline clunk noise take your foot off the gas pedal so there's no load... then make the switch.

 

Yes! I heard a loud bang (metal sound) while in 4x4 and turning right and circling at a gas station during heavy rainstorm. I panicked and came to a stop. It took two attempts to disengage the 4x4. The dashboard light 4x4 indicator kept flashing (I think it was in Park). I then put in D and drive a few feet while turning the selector knob back to 4H then to 2 WD. I hope nothing was damaged!

I have engaged 4H since this incident and it worked flawlessly. I need to engage 4L to make sure it works smoothly too.

 

Another Q popped into my head, can you drive in reverse while in 4x4? I would think so but gotta ask.

 

I gotta ask this...Why you using 4wheel drive on pavement..

 

It was pouring rain, just an excuse to use the 4x4...

 

Yeah, you don't need it on pavement in the rain. I'd suggest only using it on grass,gravel, mud, dirt, etc. I'd only use it on pavement if there was a layer of snow/ice.

 

i always take it out of 4x4 mode, specifically because i can't guarantee i'll remember when i get back in to re-assess if i need 4x4.

most times, the weather has changed(i use 4x4 mostly for snow conditions), and my mind will be on the next subject/project/stop when i get back in, so i can easily start destination-hopping with 4x4 engaged on dry paved roads...

 

Yes it is fine - among other suggestions here don't turn to full R/L stop while in 4x4.

 

Are you supposed to use and engage 4x4 periodically or it doesn’t matter to leave it in 2WD indefinitely?

 

Thanks for the helpful response. As a someone new to 4x4.

 

Since you have a 2025 i assume you got an owners manual? If so check out the 4WD section... lots of great information. It advises to engage 4WD once a month.

 

i think you've misstepped into the wrong section.

now it's going to take far more effort to correct than just supplying the answer in the first place. not everyone has time to read a harry potter novel, just because they asked who killed dumbledore.


the owners manual calls for monthly engagements of the system, but it also calls for replacing spark plugs at 60k, and there's plenty of people that are going on 100-120k on the original plugs. they're writing it from a liability perspective. you won't hurt the system following the manual, but if you're driving mostly on clean, dry roads, not engaging it for 4 months also won't kill it.

so i wouldn't follow the manual to a 'T', but i do try to engage it every one in a while during the times i'm driving in the rain, if i don't have an active need for the system in other inclimate weather.

 

So using 4H in a rainstorm would be ideal in a straight line only? Or can I also make turns? if rain is not predicted then just using it in 4H in highway speeds is okay too? TIA

 

Engage 4-HI, drive it for a block or two in a straight line...
Stop, put it in Neutral then switch to 4-LO, then drive a few hundred more feet (staying in a straight line)...
Stop, back to neutral again, then put it back in 2-HI. Done.
Do this around 4 or 5 times a year and you should be fine.

Or better yet... You bought a 4x4... Go out there, find a nice trail that goes to some great campsite in the woods (take the family with you if you have family to take) , and go have some fun with it once in awhile!