Time it takes to engage 4X4

I have 2018 DCLB Sport that I have owned since July, so first winter. I am surprised at how long it takes for the four wheel drive system to engage. Today I was at a red light and it took 10 seconds or more for the light on the dash to stop flashing and go solid after turning the knob...is this normal? I tried putting it into neutral but that didn't help. The light turned green and there was a loudish clunk while the light went solid.

My previous vehicle was a 2009 JKU, so one yank of the lever and I was good to go!

I have owned vehicles before with the electronically engaged 4WD systems (1998 and 2005 Expeditions) and I don't recall them taking this long.

Sometimes I want the extra traction but don't have the time to wait for the system to engage.

What re you folks experiencing?

 

You usually need to move to get the gears engaged. Unless they are perfectly aligned while you're sitting at a stop.

 

Possibly moving slowly will help with engaging quicker in 4H.

I'm pretty sure you should either be stopped or below 2mph for 4L

 

stopped and neutral for 4lo!!

 

The first couple times I used mine it took a few seconds. After that it has been pretty quick. I would recommend you exercise it occasionally, probably not necessary to do 10 miles/mo but it is good to engage it occasionally. My 06 4Runner would have a longer delay when I’d go 4-6 months without engaging 4wd. If I did it a little more frequently it seemed to be faster. Not really sure why, but in general exercising the actuator and letting some oil splash around is a good thing mechanically.

 

It sounds like you need a Ridgeline. I'm pretty sure my own mom knows that 4WD doesn't just happen esp sitting at a light

 

Yikes. Please stop and use neutral for 4lo. If you don't know, please don't tell people improper stuff. It's on your sunvisor man...

 

It does in a Jeep. Essentially turning that knob should do what pulling the lever in my Jeep did. My Expeditions didn't have this lag...didn't think a newer Tacoma should.

 

Well, TBH his Sun visor would read differently than yours because he has a clutch.
Point taken, though...

Edit: He would be reading that sticker as it applies to him, as he has a clutch. The sticker denotes both manual trans and auto 4x4 operation.

 

It appears he drives a manual which can be at 2mph or less to engage 4lo

 

What does a Jeep or an Expedition have to do with a Tacoma?

 

They all utilize a mechanism which engages a 4WD system. I feel that a newer vehicle should have a system that works better than one that's 20 years older.

 

Sounds like you’re not happy with the truck. Did it do that when you took it for a test drive?

 

Mechanics aside, I can't think of a logical reason why one would need instant 4H.

 

Not unhappy overall, just curous if what I'm experiencing with the 4WD system is normal...nothing more.

My test drive was in July so my test of the 4WD system was done quickly and momentarily while driving straight. It took a few seconds but nothing like today, which lends credence to the theory of movement assists with engagement.

 

Gotta have at least a little movement for it to engage.

 

Dear Diary,

Today I was trying to cook popcorn in the microwave and when I put the bag inside and closed the door it was not instantly cooked. Is my microwave a POS?

 

The difference is a manual transfer case vs a computer controlled one. You can jam gears and break shit much easier with a manual one. The computer one is not as apt to allow you to break things. It's best to do it while moving and off the gas. It'll take about 3-5 seconds or so.

 

If you think about how the process works, it sort of comes intuitively that sometimes you just happen to stop when the gears aren’t lined up rise to valley, male to female however you want to put it. Moving forwards a bit positions them. It’s not rocket science and I’m pretty sure there’s nothing wrong with your truck. Now if it just won’t engage no matter what then yes, you have a problem. But if your complaint is simply that it doesn’t engage instantly - well...