4WD on dry pavement

Hi all,

Potential new Tundra owner here. I’ve currently got a 2006 4Runner V6.

My question is (forgive my ignorance):

During periods of mixed road conditions where say on the highway it’s generally dry but with patches of ice and snow I can leave my 4Runner in 4HI no problems, but I thought I’d read that that’s not possible without damage to a Tundra?

I’m looking at a 2014+ if that matters.

 

I wouldn't drive it in 4H unless it's wet, slippery or what not (page 296 of manual). Dry will probably cause problems, it's not an AWD system.

That's my 2cents, probably someone has experience in this matter can speak in.

 

You generally don't want to keep it in 4WD under those conditions and to be honest, you probably won't need 4WD. When you make a turn, the front wheels travel at different speed than the rear. If you're in 4WD and there isn't enough slippage at the tire, the drive train will bind up and you can damage the gears in your differentials. Besides with the fancy push-button systems going in and out of 4WD is too simple.

 

Yeah, the Multi-Mode transfer case in the 4Runner is handy, isn't it. Unfortunately, the Tundra doesn't have it.

 

I bet that's like the Auto mode in my previous Chevy truck. Acts like awd

 

Hell the way I-70 gets up here in Denver winter time, especially if they don't salt before....4wd it is on the highway for 30 miles home. 120k mile warranty, I ain't scared

 

This^^^^^

 

When I get tired of washing my truck going off-road trying to get my recommended 10miles in 4wd by Toyota, I shift into 4hi while under 60mph on the pavement on long straightaways, CA deserts have long straightaways so I get to cheat.

 

I don't know about the GM system, but Toyota's Mult-Mode has a diff in the transfer case that can be locked or unlocked. When it's locked, it acts like any other 4WD system -- like the 4WD system in our Tundras. When the center diff is unlocked, it's essentially AWD.

 

Do people actually do this? I'm guessing its to keep everything lubed up, but 10 miles a month seems a but excessive.

 

I've never done that. I only turn it on in the winter time when the conditions warrant it. I've never had a problem with the drivetrain on any of the trucks I've owned (aside from needing to rebuild a 4L60E transmission once, but then again that GM transmission always seems to need to be rebuilt after 60K or so miles).

 

With my previous truck(2010 F150) I would put it in 4 wheel drive every now and again when I was on a dirt road or on grass to keep things lubed up, but by no means was it monthly

 

Those intermittent icy conditions are why one day I want to swap in the Sequoia t-case for the center diff. There's a thread on tundratalk about how to do it, but not sure how to do a '14+

At least there's lots of dirt roads around to keep the system exercised . Actually I think it's the u-joints on the front shaft they're most worried about. The Spicer maintenance sheets said to make sure to drive in 4WD after greasing before it gets winter-cold so it has a chance to even out and not be a ball of soap in the bearings.

 

I say this because I also read it in the owners manual... But unless you live next to a field or gravel road, how likely is someone to do this religiously every month for 10 minutes?

 

I don't know about the later model Tundras, but apparently the transfer case from a Gen-3 4Runner fits a Gen-1 Tundra.

 

I'm confused. This would only happen on dry pavement, right? If it is mud or snow, you can make turns while in 4wd, right? If not, then what is the point of having it?

 

Yes as long as the surface you’re driving on is slippery you can make turns. At the same time full lock turning in four-wheel-drive can be hard on things especially if it is high traction you could put the system in a bind. When I can help it I will turn off 4 x 4 even off road if I making a three point turn or hairpins. It probably wouldn’t hurt anything out in the dirt but I still try to be diligent about not risking binding something up.

 

+1

+1

Yes, I do it.

Highway.

 

The general rule I was always taught was to never drive in 4WD. Only use it to get unstuck. Also, 4WD isn’t 4 wheel stop.

 

Thanks all for reminding me to use 4HI

 

I do it a couple times a month. The last 6ish miles of my trip home is straight road so when I exit the highway I put it in 4hi and cruise at about 40 mph to the house. Probably once a month I'll put it in 4lo once I'm on my road where I'm not going to hold anyone up and let it idle to the house.

 

With this rule we’d never be able to get anywhere, especially home, all winter up here. We drive our vehicles all the time with 4wd locked in- it’s a necessity. Regular turns, curves, etc, on mixed patches of dry road and snow it is fine- you just have to be mindful if you turn into a dry or heavily sanded parking lot, driveway, etc and are going to turn sharp, you need to put it back in 2wd. After you’re used to the truck, you can immediately feel it start to dog and bind when you start to turn too sharp for 4wd, like a little reminder telling you to stop and unlock. Nothing’s gonna snap with normal use and the occasional “whoops it’s it’s still locked in.”

 

No way I'd ever do it. It's highly excessive.

 

4wd is also for safety, it gives you traction to keep going, yes 4wd doesn’t mean you will never get stuck but driver intelligence plays a factor in everything even with the best tools at hand it means nothing if you’re a dumbass.I actually love going off-road and 10 miles is nothing, I cheat and put it in 4wd on long straightaways(no turning to prevent binding) on the pavement to get my 10 miles, it makes me feel good I’m looking after my truck(insert comment “I’ve never put it in 4wd and it works fine).

 

Yeah I grew up in the Rockies. Base elevation was 4400 but often went to 8000 for hunting, snowboarding, etc. Never used 4WD. But it’s all about how people want to drive.

My point was more in regard to those trying to use 4H on a four lane road with heavy traffic. They always make me laugh. Weaving in an out of traffic until they have to stop and lose control.