Strange Issue

I faced a stange issue today, I went on a drive of about 90 miles. In between i ran into some really harsh showers ( wipers were on full speed and yet could barely see the road, to give you the idea). I switched to 4H as that happened and the truck drove like a charm.

Towards the end of the drive, as I was pulling in to the parking, I was taking the turn when it felt that truck drove heavy. I pressed the throttle but it hardly made a diff. I literally crawlled to the parking slot.

I shut the engine, switched back to 2H and restarted the engine. I drove around for few miles and everything was back to normal.

Not sure what was the issue in between. Anyone experienced any such thing? Any pointors would be very helpful.

 

You were making a turn on pavement in 4wd? Can’t do that. There is no unlocked option for the center diff (transfer case).

 

4WD (4H or 4L) : Use this for driving only on tracks that permit the tires to slide, like off-road, icy or snow-covered roads.

4WD is not AWD, and you can cause binding/damage to the transmission/differential when using it in conditions that are not suited or appropriate.

 

Ahh ... i need to read up then. Reason i switched was that there was ton of water and conditions were slightly slippary

 

Just switch back when you slow down before you pull into parking lot or do any turning more than a lane switch. Or just drive slower, I've hit plenty of very windy and rainy conditions in my truck and never once experienced a remote loss in traction in 2WD mode. These trucks are very heavy and can displace plenty of water very rapidly.

Heres some info on 4HI drive:

https://fourwheeltrends.com/can-you-turn-in-4wd/

 

The vehicle has traction control, so between that and your tires, you'd generally be fine in the rain as long as you are not driving too fast for conditions. Definitely a good idea to read a bit more about operating w/a RWD / 4WD system if you are not familiar. Good luck and enjoy your new rig!!!!

 

Owner's Manual.

 

^^^^^^

 

The nerd in me wants to say "Weeelll...technically you *can*...."

But yeah, the one time I got semi-close to doing the same thing (previous truck, not this one), it exhibited the same behavior. Is not something I would want to make a habit of doing.

 

I noticed the same issue but now that I'm reading the locking differential, it makes sense to me. Toyota got rid of the auto mode so they're expecting us to manage our own driving over the chosen terrain.

 

I make it a habit (every 8 weeks or so) to take it on a local stretch of desolate highway in 4hi and cycle between 40-55mph for a 5 mile run. Mine is a pavement princess and rarely use 4wd so I just like to give the 4wd system a little work and get the fluids moving.

 

"Manage our own driving?" We used to get instructions on how to adjust the valves on our engines, now we we're instructed to refrain from drinking the battery acid!

 

now what am I gonna put in my coffee???

 

Mmmm, geometry. I bet you turned some heads screeching and hopping through the parking lot.

 

It's called driveline bind and it's a great way to either grenade a front CV joint or the transfer case.....

 

+ it shows everyone just how disinterested you are in learning about your truck. The dealership is always happy to repair it though!

 

Have you tried to put it into 4 HI since then to listen for any....noises....depending on how fast that turn was into the parking lot, you may wanna do that before you get too far down the road on your warranty.

 

The Tundra has never had an auto 4wd mode.

 

Yep, smart for asking. Tens of thousands of dollars for these trucks but the Owner's Manual lays in the glovebox unmolested. The magic word these days....EFFORT.

 

Guys Thanks a lot for your inputs.
My last vehicle was AWD and have never owned 4WD before. I never realized how diff these 2 were.
I am really thankful for your inputs -- really helps.

 

Sure thing. I don’t think you did any lasting damage. Trucks with part time 4wd are very different from an AWD or unlocked 4wd. You’ll see on some SUVs an option to lock the center diff (Land Cruiser and 2nd gen Sequoia, for example); when unlocked, they can run 4wd on pavement because it acts more like AWD. 2nd gen Sequoia can also run 2H. I wish they had kept that transfer case for the new one or even adopted it for the Tundra.

All Tundras have only ever been part time 4wd. You’re locked at the transfer case, which means it is unable to send unequal amounts of torque front and rear. Even if the front and rear diffs are open (as they are), you will still bind up because each axle is overall moving at a different rate or speed during a turn but the transfer case is trying to turn them equally.

 

We all learn at one point or another. Everyone is critical on the internet. Always ask questions man I can guarantee there are people who learned something even indirectly from your post.

 

Although the manual does explain how to use the systems, for some folks it's much easier to understand videos or computer renditions of those different systems in operation. The following link is a quick youtube video I showed my wife, so she could understand the differences between the 2 systems (4WD vs AWD). At the time, she was familiar driving AWD Subarus, and I wanted her to have a better understand of how to use the 4WD system in the Tundra and how it is different than her vehicle prior to making a long road trip during the winter in my Tundra. She said it was helpful. I'm sure there are other videos that are similar floating around the web the address questions such as LSDs, locking diffs, etc.... But it's a good example of why 4WD doesn't necessarily provide the best traction in all conditions.


https://youtu.be/rHMDtEPeuQM