Four wheel drive on pavement

Snow and ice in the Pacific Northwest, is their any risk using four wheel drive on pavement for 6 miles round trip? I realize the obvious, its a four wheel drive for a reason. In the past 4x4's on pavement was not good. Ok, a long time ago. Just checking, any thoughts?

 

If there's snow and ice on the pavement, sure lol. I personally wouldn't run it on dry or even mostly dry pavement though.

 

It is best to avoid 4X4 on dry pavement or any surface with good traction. That said 6 miles as long as you don't make any sharp turns isn't going to blow anything up. But it's not something I suggest getting in the habit of doing. It only takes a second to flip the switch between 4X2 and 4X4.

The damage done by driving in 4X4 where traction is good is cumulative. You rarely see any damage immediately, but you do overstress parts that will wear out prematurely. Everyone gets in a situation where you're in 4X4 and put the driveline in a bind occasionally. Even off road there are places where it is best to avoid 4X4. Just don't make a habit of doing it any more than absolutely necessary.

 

Avoid sharp turns, like in parking lots. You will feel the steering fighting you, also may hear the tires chirp. Otherwise driving on straight roads with gentle curves is not a problem.

 

its 4x4 not AWD. Locking chain tcase does not allow for slip. Says on your sun visor.
4x4 is for loose conditions.

I have driven RWD in snow, ice, and rain just like any other car. 4x4 does not help you turn or stop. Traction is determined by surface and tires.

not all inclement weather is the same.
A light dusting of snow still has traction and 4HI reduces MPG.
Light snow is not the same as a ton of snow and time + sun that has created a thick layer of ice underneath.

you’re able to feel what the traction is underneath the truck.
This is why rally drivers seesaw the steering wheel momentarily in a straight line. To feel what the grip level is on the ground.

that will determine if you actually need 4x4. And type of tire.

a ton of ice and snow? Dirt trail? Sand? Sure.
A drop of rain and one snowflake, not really.
You will know if it’s slippery. If it’s been snowing constantly and the truck struggles to accelerate without spinning tires, that is a time for 4HI.

the system is selectable on the fly up to a certain speed to choose when to use it.

 

Avoid tight turns you are fine even at highway speeds. Look at you manual it says to use it every so often it will make it easier for you to engage FWD when it's really needed.

 

Yep, read the manual. The ADD electric engage/disengagement ("Otto-matic", can't resist after watching the interview with Robert Hayes on Social Flight with special surprise guest appearance of one of the Zucker brothers talking about the movie "Airplane!") needs to operated regularly to prevent corrosion of the electrical contacts. After not driving the Rambler Cross Country and other vehicles with push-pull light switches at night, it was unnerving to climb in for the drive home, find the headlights wouldn't work until the switch had been pulled/pushed several times to break through the corrosion/tarnish of the contacts. The Car Care Nut channel on YouTube covers Toyota vehicles for DIYers and those seeking greater understanding. A Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician, he advises exercising the switch on dry, straight roads regularly, and gradual curves are okay.

 

i use 4 high for short bursts in the rain all the time. makes for great launches with the supercharger

 

We had our first big (14+”) snow storm in the Boston area a couple of weeks ago. I took out the new truck during the storm to practice winter driving. It did remarkably well in the snow, even in 2WD with stock tires. My first time driving a rear-wheel drive in the snow, too. Also practiced putting it in 4HI and got the feeling for that. The only thing I didn’t do was to find a parking lot and do donuts.

 

So if I go up and down my drive way twice it's just about a a mile in the ice and snow, and then to the state often unplowed road I wouldn't make it back up my driveway the first time with out FWD. I plow in FWD low range. These things are not gentle flowers, shoot I have driven it to Conway NH 15 miles away only to realize it was in FWD because it it tried to take the wheel out of my hand turning into a parking space!

 

Back in the day of 4wd systems with shifters on floor, we would after going back into 2wd back up a few feet to take tension out of the system. I still do this to this day with the Tacoma.

 

If my tires can spin it's in 4H.

 

Shoot I still have to do that with the stupid electric shift! I love my Taco but the electric shift is hate full. To make it worse I use low range to push snow. With the stick on the floor I could feel what was going on.