2022 Tundra Binds During Sharp Turn with 4x4H Engaged

Out of F150 and new to Tundra/Toyota. Tundra binds to the point of near stalling when I was making a U-Turn when 4wd was engaged during a snowstorm. It also binds when I am taking off from parked or backing in.

Called the dealer tech who said it was normal and I have to turn it off when do sharp turn or park. He said it was OK to turn it on/off multiple times during the day as needed. He said I could damage the transfer case if I try to do another u-turn with 4wd on.

How fragile is the transfer case? Should I be worried?

 

The transfer case isn’t fragile, but 480 lb-ft of torque binding in a 6,000 lb truck will break about anything…

 

have you driven a 4x4 before ? they all do it to some extent.

 

I live in Minnesota so all my cars/trucks are from Jeep, 2 F150, Benz ML, my father in-law's 4Runner, etc. I turn 4wd on all winter long.

This is the weirdest implementation of 4wd. The truck almost stalled making a U-trun on snowy road.

 

Its not gunna bind unless you have good traction.

That said, this is exactly why its BS that Toyota doesnt have a 4Auto t-case.

 

If it’s binding, it’s telling you that you don’t need 4WD. If it was slippery your tires would easily break free.

 

I'm really scared of this...

My 2013 Ram 1500 had auto 4*4 and I never heard of binding

 

What were the road conditions like (like compact snow on the ground or patches of snow, etc)?

 

The problem is with winter driving where the traction changes constantly. Every winter city has areas that roads are covered in ice and snow and then hence an intersection where it's dry as summer. The OP is just pointing out another misstep by Toyota where every other manufacturer has systems in place and Toyota waits another several generations to implement them. It's frustrating. Especially when they have used these systems in the Landcruiser's and Lexus vehicles for years. This, in their words "GroundBreaking", rendition of the new Tundra is a great truck (skip the grill) but unfortunately already a decade behind the big three. And living off the reliability clause is starting to wear thin.

 

I think almost all versions of 4wd Auto are really systems that run in 2wd until the computer senses enough slip to engage 4wd which may take a while/cause wear if done constantly. Alot of "AWD" systems are really FWD until slipping and the rears get minor power engaged to help (example I had was a Ford Escape), this was relatively smooth, but there was also no way to manually force 4wd and resulted in some abrupt changes. Then there are the full time AWD transfer cases that most Subaru's use and I believe 4runner limited and Sequoia. These have no transition time from 2wd to 4wd but result in lower fuel economy. I don't think any half ton trucks use a full time AWD transfer case. Thus the result is either 2WD+4WD like the Tundra or 2WD+Auto+4WD like most half tons, why Toyota didn't include a "Auto" mode hard to say (likely additional wear if I was guessing, as it's not a mechanical feature, but essentially like having a copilot turn on/off 4wd for you).

 

Pick your poison. Our LC is full time 4WD and gets 13mpg in stock form…

 

I've got to shake my head at this...

Why buy a truck or any vehicle for that matter that doesn't meet your needs or function in a way that makes sense to you? Clearly, you want the convenience/simplicity of an AWD vehicle, and there are plenty out there. The Tundra is NOT an AWD vehicle. It is a traditional 4x4 truck. On-road traction issues are generally the result of running inappropriate tires for the conditions you are driving in. The Tundra's 4WD system is primarily meant to be used off-road (with some exceptions).

Here is a video I found during a quick search that explains the differences between AWD and the 4WD systems. I hope it helps you understand why you're binding up, and like the tech said, binding can definitely cause damage to your transfer case so you want to avoid that as much as possible.


https://youtu.be/Jk246sutET0

 

Somebody in here with a '22 blew up an inboard CV joint by pulling U-turns in 4wd on dry surface.

 

I have a 2.5 Gen, but around here different towns clear their roads at different speed. You can be driving on a wet road then suddenly there’s 2” on the road once you cross in to the next town. Just yesterday I drove 55 mph for over an hour and switched in and out of 4WD multiple times. Been doing it for years with no issues. All I do is let off the gas while it’s flashing. I don’t slow down alot or stop.

 

Amazed on how many recent '22 threads I've seen about this. 4x4, is not AWD, and is working how it should. Have a great day

 

The binding is user error, please stop doing this to your truck. If you can’t actually feel it slipping then you don’t need 4x4. As for the transfer case strength the tundra system is easily the most robust compared to the other manufacturers. I’ve seen the comparison of the case components side by side with the f150 and the difference is stark. I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s partially why Toyota hasn’t offered auto 4x4 yet, as it’s hard to get the beefier components to engage as quickly. The concept of auto 4x4 also seems like it would be hell on the drivetrain in my eyes.

This must be the 4th or 5th occurrence of a new 3rd gen owner commenting on the binding in 4x4 or having broken something doing so. This truck must be attracting people with little prior part time 4x4 experience. It’s not making me want to buy used that’s for sure.

 

I was thinking the same thing when I saw tw threads on the this very topic this morning.

 

I owned a '13 F150 and it did the exact same thing in the exact same conditions for the exact same reason. What people want, I think, is user-controlled Auto 4WD - e.g., once enabled, it figures out on its own when it should have/use 4WD/AWD. These trucks don't have that; nor did/does any other truck I've owned.

 

He seems to not grasp the difference between his Ford's 4A setting and Tundra's 4H. Same way he referenced his Mercedes as a 4 wheel drive and not all wheel drive.

 

Every 4WD I have ever owned does this. It is nothing to worry about. I usually disengage 4H before I park so its smooth pulling in.

 

J/k

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2AYnZVsTv4

 

So your plan is to turn 4WD on all winter regardless of road or surface conditions? It’s winter so put it in 4X4 and leave it there until spring!

Good luck with that if true.

 

I do the same. Did it for years in my 18 year old 1st Gen. It's not a big deal even in iced over parking lots. If you are turning that tight you're going slow enough that you almost never need 4WD and if you do it's really easy to shift in and out (we're not outside locking hubs are we?) My biggest issue is making sure my wife remembers to do this when she's driving it.

 

Unfortunately, I believe that Toyota's marketing and design teams have targeted this "genre" if you will of buyers w/the Gen3.

 

The 22-23' Ford Tremor comes w/an Auto4WD functionality on its "high package". The low and mid trims are standard 4WD systems like ours, but the high Tremor package (I believe the 802a) allows the driver to engage the Auto4WD as another option. I agree that it makes you wonder about reliability, etc. as you add more parts to the system. Plus the Tremor w/high package is pushing mid-70s in its MSRP price points.

 

Most people I know in MN and WI do that as you never know when you'll hit a patch of black ice..

 

Well, if you do that with a 4WD system you’ll eventually break shit.
I switch mine in and out of 4WD as needed.
Sounds like you prefer an AWD system. Have you considered the Ridgeline?