How do y’all “exercise” your 4 low?

The actuator has limit switches that won't be tested and motor end limits if 4LO isn't engaged. You need to do both...10 miles in the manual is just bullshit. As long as you swap between 2HI, 4HI, and 4LO several times a year you're good.

 

taco can be converted to manual tcase.

take a new car 80 computers, dealer computer lets you check history on the vehicle coming in for work. Been there 30 times. 40 bulletins. Numerous applicable. Numerous solution pending no current fix.
And more complex emissions system (even gasoline) that is more failure-prone.
Navigation system that runs out of subscription or gets support discontinued.

20yo same car with a handful of the computers doing 200k on oil changes.
With said computers simple enough for basics tasks that they’re not getting bugs and needing constant out of pocket updates for $220+/hr that only dealer can do with their server access.
No applicable TSB’s.

 

not true the Tacoma 4wd computer doesn’t throw codes

 

Do I need to “exercise” the rear locker? I tried it this morning and it stayed flashing on the dash. Besides putting it in 4lo 1st, is there a trick to get it to engage?

 

Yes you do or it can get stuck just like the 4wd actuators. Mine did when I didn't use it for awhile but a little tapping on it got it going again.

You can try weaving side to side while trying to engage it.

If that doesn't work get you a helper, put it 4L, get a small hammer and crawl under the truck, get your helper to operate the locker while you tap on the motor lightly.

 

FWIW: I exercise 4L about twice a month in my driveway. I engage it back and forth from 4H a few times, and move it forward about 10 feet on the last one. When I'm out on Forest Service Roads or Jeep trails to fishing spots etc out in the woods, I don't trust it to shift back out of 4L, so I never do it unless I'm on sketchy downhill slopes to control speed. Each test seems to sound better and go a little smoother and less noise than the first, so it seems to make a difference. I engage 4H anytime I'm on wet or snowy streets.... maybe once per month for a few miles.

If it hasn't rained or snowed for a while, I just do it parked in the driveway a few times while waiting for it to warm-up for a minute or so.

 

I'm fortunate enough I live near plenty of dirt and gravel roads....the dirt roads become rather slick in the mud and I just use them then.

 

I’ve got a big grassy field behind my
House. At least once a month I go do figure 8s in low and high.

 

I know this is an old post in a revived thread but…have you actually looked at the manual you posted? It has no table of contents, no index, and none of the terms I would think to search even come up. For my 2015 vehicle I recall a recommended monthly usage of the 4 hi but don’t recall anything about 4 lo.

Anyway if I was the OP I’d much prefer a one minute response from someone who knew the answer to the question to thirty minutes of rifling through a poorly organized owner’s manual.

 

up state ny here- I mostly use 4 wheel drive in winter. but during the year I "exercise" it at least monthly. 4 hi and then 4 low up and down driveway a few times( driveways about 200ft)

 

Glad I ran across this thread...and that I'm not within an arm's reach of someone here popping me upside the head. When the truck is in L4, should you always stay in Low (L) gear OR...is it okay to drive in L then shift to 2, drive a ways (few hundred yards, maybe), then shift to 3 (same), then shift to 4 (same). I never have driven L4 in OverDrive (D). I'll admit I've never run in Reverse in L4, yet, but sounds like I should. I do drive regularly H2 at times on appropriate terrain through L, 2, 3, 4, & D. When (or if) it ever snows/ice here in middle TN, man, I put it in H4 and my truck just doesn't break traction and I try (not stupidly, of course) and I'm driving carefully. Anything I'm missing out on or "never do that dude", etc.? Thanks in advance!