Use of 4 wheel drive.

I just kick mine into 4H whenever I'm on a dirt road in the summer. Winter I use it almost daily anyway so it's a non-issue.

I suspect part of it is to move the actuators once in a while so they aren't stuck when you need them.

 

This is exactly what I do

 

I'm shocked someone actually read the owners manual

 

On the 2nd gens, actuators have been the biggest cause of 4wd and E-locker problems for people. Using them once a month will help keep them free and moving. As for the 10 miles it may be on the "safe side" of trying to ensure you fling enough oil around (particularly if those 10 miles are really low speed) or to heat it up a little as has been mentioned.

Whenever I leave pavement I throw mine into 4wd just to help with getting those miles in. I figure it doesn't hurt.

 

Haha it gives you a chance to get away from the wife and house for a while.

 

What sound are you guys hearing when you switch from 4Hi to 2 wheel drive? Mine makes a decent clunk noise. Im not sure if thats normal or not. It is no where near as loud when going from 2 to 4Hi

 

Just a slight click in or out.

 

Definitely audible, but I'd describe it as a click too. 4hi to 4low is much more pronounced.

 

Make sure your drivetrain is under the least amount of load before you change in or out of 4hi. I use mine every time I drive. My driveway, worse in summer now.

 

hahahah, I was gonna say, that looks like a typical driveway in the Santa Cruz Mountains, then I looked at your 'info' box, 'Dirt road in Aptos', indeed :-D

 

I don't get this design. I've done it on a F450 a handful of times too.

 

Is it safe to put it in 4 Hi on dry pavement?

Does putting it in 4 Hi lube/burn off moisture/condition whatever's necessary for 4 Low as well? or should that gear? be exercised by itself independently of 4 high and 2WD?

 

I don't do it for 10 miles a month except in winter, but try and at least put it in 4W hi, 4W lo, and lock the rear diff for a few minutes each month.

 

LeftCoast Nerd, yeah thats it in winter, much worse in summer, loose gravel. Use 4hi every time I go up and down, had a Tundra and learned to only shift with no load on driveline. Just hear a click if anything.

 

In general, equipment doesn't like to sit unused. Oil collects moisture (causing oxidation and loss of lubricity), grease gets hard (loss of lubrication), oxidation forms on contacts, wiring insulation degrades. Operating equipment on some frequency alleviates those issues.

With that in mind, it's a very good idea to do what the manual says. 10 minutes of solid operation will help generate enough heat to cook the moisture out of the oil and wiring insulation. I wouldn't say I follow it to a T, but I try to do 10 miles a month in the rain if not offroad. If I couldn't do that, I'd limit my 4wd operation to long straight sections of highway. Generally this will keep the tires spinning at the same speed and reduce the possibility of binding in the drivetrain. Turning causes the wheels to spin at different speeds and will cause some drivetrain binding. This will be worse when friction is the highest.

 

Just take it off roading at least once a month. You bought a 4x4 truck. Use it like one

 

The gravel roads here are rough and steep, I keep it in 4HI. The truck tracks straighter, puts the power down without wheel slip/axle wrap and traction control doesn't cut the power. On rougher decommissioned roads 4LO is neccesary at times, I engage the locker well before I might need it.

 

I had a 2015 2WD SR5 Tacoma which was my first truck after many SUVs. I loved it so much I decided to trade up to a new 2017 4WD Limited for the safety features, JBL, leather and 4WD to lesson the pucker facture when launching my 19' boat at low tide on slippery south Florida boat ramps. I love this one even more. I was aware that I had to switch over to 4WD once in a while to keep it lubed but I'm glad to learn from this site that I need to drive ten miles a month on 4WD to keep things lubricated.

Thanks!

By the way, on a different subject, during my daily commute I usually switch on the "ECT" button because it feels much more responsive. After reading ten minutes of suggestions on this site of how to permanently rewire it, to always be on, I decided the one second required to push the button was easier.

 

I haven't noticed any click noises on mine. I'll keep an ear open next time I engage 4x4 RAWR!!! (Lol)

 

my low mileage 2008 makes a very soft click when you go from 2H to 4H or back. its mostly audible if you've got the windows open and are next to a wall or something to reflect the sound back at you.