Did I screw up my transfer case accidentally going from 4H to 4L improperly?

Wait until you meet 6” of 30F slush on the hiway at 65 mph. It won’t matter if your tires are bald or new.

 

4Hi won’t always save you. You need some common sense as well. I agree with others that my truck won’t let me go into 4lo unless it’s in neutral.

I love this vid. Especially when the cop car rear-ends the buss sliding backwards.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HrHvUeFs01s

 

Back to the OP's question and the comments about it not being possible to accidentally go from 4H to 4L while in gear and moving. I managed to accidentally do the same thing and my truck had the same symptoms. I even asked the same question on this forum almost three years ago. Glad to report ...no damage. But I certainly do not want to do it again.

 

I go from 2wd to 4hi on the run all the time with no issues , and you have to press the selector done in order to go to 4lo

 

It's the front/rear axle delta that is the problem, but same idea. Left/right is compensated for by the open diff (unless using a locker)

 

You don't need 4wd to drive on snow, it really all depends on where you live

 

Actually, that makes sense. Thanks for the correction!

 

Not exactly. The front and rear are locked together so one tire on the front and one tire on the back Have to turn at the same speed.

 

No they don't. The sum total of the front two wheels must match the sum total of the rear two wheels because the axle inputs are what's forced equal. It's this front to rear axle totals not traveling the same net distance in turns that creates 4wd bind.

 

i disagree. There are advantages to having your front and rear tires going the same speed for braking as well. Flame on.

 

It's funny you say this. I used to have an old jeep Cherokee with rear brakes so terrible that engaging 4x4 would significantly improve it's stopping ability.

 

Ha! I had a 74. Years ago - driving an old Cordoba on slick snow approaching a toll both I lightly hit the breaks and immediately went into serious fishtail. I got it under control by moving tranny into neutral. Would never happen with 4WD. There are other real world examples. Now, antilock breaks do change the situation greatly.

 

I've covered this before and 4wd actually does improve braking performance but it's a bit of an advanced vehicle dynamics concept. It's not worth explaining since most can't even fundamentally understand how open and locked diffs work with regards to tractive forces.

 

Engaging 4wd and utilizing transmission braking is absolutely beneficial in hilly/slippery terrain. While 4wd will not bring you to a stop quicker in an emergency stop scenario it will allow better traction during cornering and general breaking conditions.

 

I was trying to type something like that. Those are the words I was looking for.

 

Now is your chance VVVVVVV

 

I Just did the same thing this morning when doing my 5 miles of monthly PM on a straight road at 40 - 45 MPH. Apparently, I turned the knob the wrong way when i wanted to turn it off and it beeped at me angrily. It took a second to figure out what I did. no damage and no issues. I have done it before accidentally and no ill effects. I do not think the actuator for 4 LO will (or should not) actually engage above a certain speed, kinda like the transmission will not go into reverse when driving forward even if you attempt to do it. I think someone actually tried that and reported the rear camera came on but it did not actually go into reverse at speed.

So I would say you are fine but do not make a habit of it.

Also, driving in a straight line in 4WD Hi for a short distance whether on asphalt or not will not harm anything. It is the turning that stresses components and why it is advised to do it in wet weather or offroad.

 

It was raining this morning so I put it in 4hi for about 7 kms on my way to work. Nice straight stretch. Use it or lose it!

 

Don't be a twat, it's not rocket science.

Front and rear locked together, wheels must turn same speed therefore brakes can't lock up while any wheel has traction, therefore driver can brake harder without locking up.

 

Transfer cases are resilient. In my Chevy 2500, towing a 13k lb 5th wheel, I twice forgot to shift out of 4wd after meeting pavement. One was in the mtn roads of CO, and I went for 150 miles and the other was a more straight 100 miles in NV. No issues ever presented. Just kick yourself and move one.