Please school me on 4wd! 1st 4wd Truck

Again, all this. Plain and simple. As Chris is stating, it isn't about going fast. I take surface streets back and forth to work. Most top out at 40mph. I typically run 5-10mph under when it rains and drop down to 10-15mph in areas where the water has pooled deep enough. I throw it in 4WD to maintain traction through all this. It is especially appreciated when taking turns at intersections and driving through pooled water where I can't see what I'm driving over.

Necessary, no. Do I want to cause an accident because I didn't use a safety feature, no.

 

I'm claiming operator error

Chris, are the tires you guys buy out there siped?

 

Don't worry. I've forgotten to take it out of 4x4 many times (although I usually remember within a minute). You're stressing some parts a little but unless you do some formula one driving nothing will be damaged.

 

They can be but not standard.

 

That actually explains a lot. Up here, pretty much all tires are siped until you get to M/Ts.

 

Is this rain traction problem unique to the 4wd, my 5-lug has no problem in rain.

 

If I ever get a Go-Pro and actually have it ready to go when it rains I'll shoot video of the driving conditions.

I've lived and driven long term in Virginia, Arizona, Oregon, Wisconsin and NM. Arizona and NM rank as my scariest states for driving in the rain. Scary enough that I typically find things to do to keep me off the roads when the clouds build high and dark enough.

These kind of conditions happen in the matter of minutes after the first rain drop:



Just think about when you get a hurricane or tropical storm bouncing up the coast only with a lot less warning like "Today there is a 20% chance of rain."

 

No. It is more a matter of the actual rain conditions. I lived in Corvallis, OR for a year and had no issues driving around in 2WD during the rainy season.

Rain conditions in the desert are less favorable. Long stretches of dry weather allows oil buildup on the road. First rain starts bringing that oil up and conditions are pretty slick. It isn't until we get a good heavy rain or repeated light rains that enough of the oil washes off and wet roads become more conducive to traction.

 

87F at 10am, not bad.

 

Since... i dont take my truck to off road...
How can i engage my 4Hi SAFELY, just so shit in there wont sieze up lol?

And i bought a 4x4 because it is kewl lol.(I just wanted the BEST PACKAGE tacoma out there, because i had to give up my WRX). I couldnt watch myself getting rid of my WRX just for a average tacoma

 

I wouldn't worry about the whole 10 miles a month bit. Try to engage 4-hi once or twice a month for a mile or so, preferably on the lower end of the speed spectrum and no harsh turns. If you can find softer or wet roads the better.

 

I recommend checking out the owners manual.

 

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. It's not beneficial for the vehicle, but it is rarely catastrophic. Doing it frequently for prolonged periods of time will be an expensive habit.

 

Which is a GREAT baseline source for your vehicle... but not the end-all be-all gospel.

 

Nothing is going to seize up... I use 4wd pretty much only in the winter and it stays in 2wd from May until October every year. Things are still moving and lubricated. Use it when you need it.

 

Absolutely. It does offer lots of valid information though! Most 4x4 questions can be answered there. TW is an awesome resource as well I must agree.

 

It's just good insurance for those with 4x &/or lockers to engage them at least once a month for a bit, especially seeing how they're all electric engagement.. Theres been more than a few here that have NEVER engaged their lockers for example & when the time comes that they needed it, guess what, no worky, the lights come on but wont go solid (indication of locked diff.) Use it or lose it (use it a little anyway)

 

65? I thought it was 55... I did it driving on the highway in the snow. It was a blizzard in Vermont, and the right lane was cleared of snow but the passing lane had a good deal of snow, so I would use 4wd to overtake anyone going under 50.

 

I'll use 4x4 in the rain when the puddles on the highway get to that point where you feel them slowing the front tires down and pushed them side to side when you hit them. 4wd allows the tires to cut and power through the water instead of deflecting.