When/How to use 4x4?

Sorry reviving a dead post but, just a little confused here. I want to test my 4x4 and I only have paved roads where I'm at (although I can drive 3 hours to my ranch and test on dirt/gravel if that's necessary for a test) and while the manual does say to drive it 10 miles in four wheel drive every month, it does give a caution about driving on dry/hard surfaces so... Should I just wait till I get time to go to my ranch?

 

you can drive in a straight line on pavement but its better not to and just do it on gravel or dirt.

It says 10miles because some people will never use it then when they need it, everything is seized up. They just say to use it so they can protect themselves and if you come in with problems and say you never used it then they have you to blame.

It says nothing about using 4lo and keeping the transfercase lubricated as well, only the front end which to me isn't right. Both need to be used I've heard stories and know one person who had their tcase fail and only have 2hi and 4hi, it could not switch to 4lo as the selector fork or something was seized.

Do you need to use it 10miles each month? Probably not, but if you never use it then ya might be a good idea.
I personally don't do it every month because I likely get more than that in each month in the summer from trail use, and in the winter I get it as well. There's maybe 3 months of the year I don't use/need 4x4 and in those months I really do not use it to make sure its ok as I know it gets used and lubricated more than enough with all my usage at different times.


Some guys on here say they use 4hi on the highway since its relatively straight and an easy way to get in your distance quick.

I love how they basically give themselves a way out either way.
Oh it stopped working? did you ever use it? oh you haven't? well then its your problem.

or oh you used it on dry pavement now its binded up or broken? well its your problem then.

and if you say you used it off road they'll pull some shit that it voids warrnaty so again its your fault.

 

Yeah, I'm in a similar situation. Way I see it, it's better to wait until your off pavement to test it. I'm sure they put that in the manual for a reason, but I've never done this on any of my previous 4x4s and have never had an issue. Basically my plan is to leave it off until I need it...

 

see above.

 

Thank you everyone! The reason I even got this in my mind is because I have a possible transfercase leak (tech saw oil in tcase, cleaned it, couldn't find the source of a possible leak, told me to come back in 1500 miles) and thru me trying to research about that, I saw all this and I went "shit! I haven't put it in four wheel drive since I got it"

 

which year do you have?
just noticed your avatar says 2014, if so might want to check the 2nd gen section? and if its pre owned might be an existing issue.

3rd gen is 2016+

 

Yea 2nd gen. I've been reading and reading lol. I'll post there about the transfercase if I need to. This was really helpful for the 4x4 stuff! Thanks

 

from what I know the Tcase is the same so ya it will be the same practices regardless.
But for leaking and issues you'll find more useful info in the 2nd gen section.

 

Must've came in around the same time, anyways like @Joe23 said, as long as it's used every once in a while it'll be fine. No need to do it monthly.

 

I'd say if you live in a place where you have snow like I do where at times I'll be in 4hi for about 80% of my driving from late december till beginning of march and then in 4lo almost every weekend or every other weekend in the months between May-November on trail I get more than enough usage .

But if you say live in a plaxe with no heavy snowfall winter or no snow at all . Maybe use it every month or every other month like the manual says.

 

Just put it in 4wd and drive down the street. I doubt your leak is coming from the tcase. Toyota tcase are notoriously bulletproof and rarely leak. Even if it does it's not a big deal. Drop it out, crack it, reseal it though you could probably just leave it leaky and top it off every once in a while.

 

Thanks!

 

Lots of trips to the ranch

 

Another dumb question from a total 4x4 newb - I understand the issues with binding when in 4WD on dry pavement. Driving 5 - 10 mph in 4Hi on beach sand and plan to park, which entails making a 90 degree turn to be perpendicular to the "roadway", is not a problem, correct?

 

if your on sand then no its not an issue

 

Clearly a lot of good knowledge in this forum. My two cents would be to never use 4x4 on dry pavement. Ever. (Period). Mine gets plenty of use during winter to last over the summer months without use. I've been driving 4 wheel drives for many years and never had any issues with lock up due to lack of use...

Edit: though I do worry about the finicky and apparently cheap actuator they put in these things

 

the actuator can seize if never used. If you never plan on using 4x4 or the locker if you have one I would still engage it every once in a while.

 

I recently purchased 2018 Tacoma work and am new to using the dial to switch from 2 wheel drive to 4x4. Ridered67, appreciate all your feedback on this thread.

While having the truck on 4x4 mode, I was pulling out of parking lot on a sharp turn. Truck did jerk but it stopped immediately. From reading other comments, it's best not to do sharp turns on 4x4 mode.

Any chance of damaging the truck drivability/parts?

 

Absolutely