"Four-wheel-drive usage frequency"

So I was reading the owner's manual for my '17 SR5 (V6, 4WD, DCSB) trying to learn about the "Auto LSD" indicator on the dash and found a section called "Four-wheel-drive usage frequency". According to that, the truck should be driven in 4WD mode for about 10 miles per month to keep things properly lubricated.

How necessary is that, really? The reality is that my normal commute and driving is entirely on paved roads. Not that I *never* drive off-road, but it's not 10-miles-a-month-worth. If this is an important thing to the longevity of the drivetrain components, I'll try to find someplace close by to get 10-miles a month in. It'll probably take 20 miles of driving to find a place to do that around me (Eastern Montgomery County, just north of Philly).

 

Doesn't have to be off road for ten miles.

Just ten miles in a straight line at less than 60 mph is better than nothing.

And yes, its pretty important for longevity of the drive train.

 

Exactly what I was going to say. Just put it in 4wd while driving. As long as you're not doing tight turns on pavement you'll be fine.

 

It says the same thing for the first gen trucks and second gen tundras.

I have never done monthly 4WD engagement on any of my Toyota trucks. They have all worked normally and all easily go 300,000 miles.

 

IF it does anything it warms up the t case and the front diff to evaporate any condensation that may have gotten into the cases. maybe works the seals to try and keep them plyible.

I've had numerous Toyota trucks and rarely ever did engage if i wasn't using 4wd for a purpose, never had issues.

had more issues with rusted parking brake bell cranks that WERE used often and then seized

 

Proud of you for reading the owners manual!

That puts you ahead of many of your fellow new Tacoma owners.

 

RTFM should be a requirement of ownership, it would help prevent a lot of stupid

 

Where those actuator-aided trucks? I've been reading up on the actuators failing from not engaging 4by every-so-often..

 

Some people just have good luck except for 30A`s

I try and put my ADD system in gear about once a month and 4low for a few laps around my driveway

I would rather find a problem before it made it an emergency

 

I was mainly trying to figure out where and when the LSD automatically came out ("Auto LSD").

But seriously, I take one or two trips a month on the PA turnpike (mostly straight line, 15-20 miles), so on one of these, I should just engage 4-high, then disengage before I get off the TP?

 

Taken from a tread just like this! @Benson X is a genius when it comes to knowing how and when to use the 4x4 part of the truck.

 

Welcome Chad, I live in phila and travel turnpike also but that road is to high a speed limit of 70 mph. I turn my 4 wheel drive on smaller straight roads where max speed is 45 to 50. Also it doesn't have to be a 10 mile straight run I turn 4 wheel on and off as road conditions change in regards to turns. Just find straight runs and keep speed under 50. Good luck

 

There is no need to limit speeds in 4hi. You dont have to drive in a straight line, just avoid making tight turns such as pulling in a parking space.

 

Thanks for info. Wasn't sure on speed so wanted op to be conservative. On dry pavement I tend to be very cautious because of some articles I've read about talking about the stresses that occur in the driveline if not going straight. I'll do so more reading about that. Thanks for inputting always trying to learn.

 

There is absolutely no reason or benefit to it. In fact, the 4wd parts are ALL moving during normal driving -- not a positive lock, but rather dragged along by the motion of oil and inertia of other parts, so they ARE being lubricated.

 

Never drive off road? No Problem.

Just go down to your favorite service center, have the techs there put your truck up on a lift. All four wheels are now in the air so you are technically "Off Road" so start it up and engage 4WD.

 

I have a 2004 4X4 RC. I bought it from my dad because he hurt his back and couldn't drive a stick anymore. When I first got it since it had been sitting and the 4WD hadn't been used in about a year it wouldn't go into 4WD or come out of it right away.

Since I bought it I usually run about 20 or 30 miles a month in 4WD. At least. It's easy for me since I have numerous roads going where I want to go anyway to another city nearby where I do some shopping. I have a unique situation where the majority of people in this country don't because I live out west and dirt roads are 3 minutes away leading in every direction.

However, these dirt roads are pretty much impassible in the winter but it makes no difference because the interstate turns into an icy, slushy "dirt-road" with regularity during the winter so I use my 4WD regularly on paved roads in the winter due to mainly ice and the once in a while 2 feet of unplowed snow on the interstate.

My point being? Use the 4X4 every chance you get and it will work far better. Even when I don't want to I engage 4WD as much as I can. Even if I have to use a perfectly straight stretch of pavement or a paved road with very gentle turns. As others have mentioned. Turning on pavement with 4WD engaged is a real bad idea but if the road is straight it's fine. It's best to keep the speed low though even in 4HI. I don't go above 55mph although I have run at 65.

 

I engage my 4 wheel drive every time it rains so it gets cycled pretty much on a qusi regular basis . At the same interval I also engage 4lo also so it gets cycled .

TOMB

 

I call bull shit.

Engaging 4 low requite a speeds less than 10 mph. You won't be doing that on the interstate on the way home from work.

 

I also engage when it rains and i have a straight road. in DFW i use every chance, just not to stress the truck I'll turn it off if not on a straight road. i use the crap out of it, just not in DFW obviously.