When and when not to engage 4x4

That is a safety concern written by Toyota lawyers I bet! Your steering is compromised when both back tires cannot rotate differently. You could drive 90 mph locked very likely... but you don't need to (and don't file a claim against Toyota if you hit a tree while locked).

 

Yup, people are crazy.

 

Not with 4wd...you need to be in 4Lo to be locked.

 

I've been driving from western ID and MT to ND in the winters for the past several years now, in both my Taco, and my Duramax before that. I run dedicated winter tires, and can count the number of times I've "needed" to put it in 4WD on 1 hand. Typically I have a fair amount of weight (400-500 lbs in the bed), which helps with traction, and keeping it in 2WD keeps my driving conservative. Once you're doing more than 20 MPH or so, 4WD is no longer necessary, its basically just to get you started.

So to answer the OPs question, keep it in 2WD unless you're on a hill and can't get going, or really need to scoot across an intersection or merge quickly into traffic.

 

You bought a 4X4 if you are uncomfortable in 2WD use you 4X4 it will not hurt it to drive on dry pavement in slick weather I can tell you now it can get slick fast in winter if the conditions change from one mile to the next you are not fast enough to put it back in 4WD as condition change. There is no radius tight enough to bind up a 4WD on any public road.

 

"Once you're doing more than 20 MPH or so, 4WD is no longer necessary, its basically just to get you started"

Then why do they use 4WD. in rally cars?

 

Apples and oranges. If he's trying to drive his truck like he's in a rally then he wouldn't be here asking this question. If he's driving like a sane person on winter roads, then he doesn't need 4wd over 20 mph.

 

In the summer on days when its pouring rain - I will engage my 4WD at 50mph and I'll run it up to 60mph without any issues. Why you say??

#1 - I feel safer & the truck feels more sturdy with all 4 wheels driving in the rain. It's much harder for the tail end to 'step out' when the front end is pulling it along.

#2 - I'm performing an important maintenance function by engaging 4WD about once a month.

 

But, your max speed is only like 35mph??

I haven't used 4lo very often, but when I have....I couldn't go faster than 35mph!! LOL

 

4WD will pull you around a turn it is not apples and oranges a 4 WD handles better than a 2WD in any condition where there is any chance of wheel slip. You can gear down with out wheel slip far better in 4WD, the ends are far harder to swap in 4WD other than that they are exactly the same. If it's sh%^ use it there is not sense in not using it no matter what the speed when conditions warrant it. So do you get to 20 MPH then take it out of 4WD until you stop than put it back in?

 

Apples and oranges. Rally cars are trying to get through a course as quickly as possible, and they crash all the time. The average joe has other considerations, in my case I am not going to drive the entire 900 miles from home to work in 4wd, and have discovered that it is rarely "necessary". Sure, it improves handling, but it also makes me drive like an asshat, and over confident. If I leave it in 2wd I am much more conscious of my driving, plus I get better fuel mileage and I am putting far less wear and tear on my 4wd components.

 

My commute was 100 miles a day if there was snow/ice on the ground when I left it stayed in 4WD well your right I did have to replace the rear Ujoint at 205,000 miles. I do not rely on the 4WD I rely on my skills as a driver but it can get you out of a sticky situation despite your best skills. If a 4X4 rally car can get around quickly that should tell you some thing. Most rally drivers drive fast and take chances yeah some times they wreck most times they don't or they would not be racing long. If you drive like an asshat you'll wreck like an asshat 4WD or not.

 

This thread is exactly what I was looking for!
Thanks OP!

 

So you can't drive within the limits of the road conditions if you use 4x4 ?

Never using the 4x4 system is probably worse on it than using it

 

^^ your supposed to wait until you get STUCK....then you can use your 4x4 and hope it'll get you out.

 

This topic always gets entertaining.

 

Word

 

Houston, I think we've found the problem.

 

Repost I know, but seemed appropriate.

 

If the roads around here (Williston, ND) are any indication, there are a lot of people with this problem.

That being said, if I feel the truck getting squirrely it goes right into 4wd. But the vast majority of the time 2wd drive is just fine on icy roads, and it gives you a much better sense for your level of traction that you get in 4wd.

It seems like a lot of people see snow or ice and immediately assume you have to have 4wd. A few days ago I saw someone ripping around town in a Camaro ZL1 right after that big storm, and obviously cops in RWD crown vics have been making due for years. This idea that 4wd is necessary most of the time is a joke.