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"Exercising" 4WD

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by jvt3, Dec 23, 2020.

  1. Dec 23, 2020 at 5:41 PM
    #1
    jvt3

    jvt3 [OP] New Member

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    We're supposed to use 4wd for at least 10 miles per month, just to keep it lubricated
    and in shape. Since I never (yet) actually need to use it, I just drive on
    straight roads, sometimes for only a mile (until the road turns) here and there, adding up
    to maybe 10 miles per month. But how much benefit do these SHORT (1 mile) episodes of 4wd
    provide, compared with longer stretches? I mean, is there some minimum number of miles I should keep in 4wd to provide
    the lubrication benefit? For example, on any given day, is 3 straight miles in 4wd better than
    using it 6 separate times for a half-mile each? (i'm guessing the answer is no).
    Is there any downside of switching in/out of 4wd
    frequently like that (wearing anything out?...maybe just the switch itself..). I know it would be
    easier just to keep it in 4wd for as needed to keep it in shape, but sometimes it's hard to find
    straight roads...that's why I'm asking.

    I'm talking about 4H above...but....the manual says nothing about exercising 4LO.....so I've been
    assuming I don't have to exercise that separately (but I do it every few months)...
     
  2. Dec 23, 2020 at 5:53 PM
    #2
    TundraDude18

    TundraDude18 Deus vult

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    Not sure.:D

    I turn mine on once in a while, but I make sure I'm not turning on dry pavement when I do it, just straight stretches for a bit or when I'm climbing up a hill on my property.

    I do it once or twice a month.

    No worries though, someone who knows what they are talking about will come on here in a second and resolve all your questions.:thumbsup:
     
    bulldog93 likes this.
  3. Dec 23, 2020 at 6:13 PM
    #3
    snivilous

    snivilous snivspeedshop.com

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    I'd bet 100ft in 4wd lubricates everything 98% as much as 10+ miles. I wouldn't worry.
     
  4. Dec 23, 2020 at 6:40 PM
    #4
    CourtJester

    CourtJester New Member

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    Mine has about 16,000 miles. I’ve maybe had 4wd on for a quarter mile. I park my trailer on the top of grassy a hill and only need 4wd when I’m backing up and it’s been raining.
     
  5. Dec 23, 2020 at 6:49 PM
    #5
    teamtlr

    teamtlr New Member

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    The manual I believe says 10 miles so I suspect it might be to lubricate but also to remove moisture. Again speculating so I try to run for 10 minutes once a month but it’s hard with no snow.
     
    DZ_ likes this.
  6. Dec 23, 2020 at 7:01 PM
    #6
    blanchard7684

    blanchard7684 New Member

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    A few times a month I do a few freeway runs in 4 hi.

    then in my drive way I do 4 lo and drive about 50 ft them reverse. Then throw in a few 4 lo to 4 hi switches. The goal is to ensure the actuators and the a-d-d system in front diff are excercised.
     
  7. Dec 24, 2020 at 3:13 AM
    #7
    mnm

    mnm Old Guy...

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    I didn't switch to 4LO very often and when I finally did, it didn't switch right away. Had to retry several times before it would engage. Now I engage 4LO every couple of weeks and it works fine.
     
  8. Dec 24, 2020 at 4:37 AM
    #8
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    You don't need only snow to engage 4 wheel drive. Especially here in Colorado. Dirt, mud, gravel, and sand is available too. :thumbsup: No problem here finding ways to engage 4 wheel drive at all but as mentioned driving in a relatively straight line on pavement won't hurt anything. The reason for the 10 mile per month recommendation is to insure the diff fluid gets up to temp to expand a bit, lube, purge. Going only a few feet accomplishes nothing. 10 miles is a bit much especially if it's 110 degrees outside. Colder temps seem to be more of a concern. >>>IMHO it's equally important, if not more so, to engage and disengage the actuator from 2wd, 4Hi, to 4Lo several times too to verify proper operation.
     
    Last edited: Dec 24, 2020
    Cidertom, Cpl_Punishment and khunk like this.
  9. Dec 24, 2020 at 6:45 AM
    #9
    Doxiedad

    Doxiedad New Member

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    I think a big reason for the 10 miles a month is to exercise the actuator for the transfer case and the ADD (Automatic Differential Disconnect). I read a lot of people who have trouble with their 4x4 system it winds up being the actuators stuck because they don't get used. lubricating the gears in the transfer case and front diff I think is kinda secondary to keeping the actuators used and lubed.
     
    truckmax likes this.
  10. Dec 24, 2020 at 2:47 PM
    #10
    Corrosivetendency

    Corrosivetendency New Member

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    I would recommend this as I am currently waiting for a new actuator to be put in my truck. 4lo stopped working completely. I believe it was from lack of use for the first 75k miles.
     
    NewImprovedRon likes this.
  11. Dec 25, 2020 at 4:28 AM
    #11
    T-Guy69

    T-Guy69 New Member

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    You can engage it a low speed and travel at highway speed in $WD high, correct. That is where I can get my 10 miles. Straight on the highway. Just want to be sure 70 MPH is OK.
     
  12. Dec 25, 2020 at 5:02 AM
    #12
    trucknut

    trucknut New Member

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    In 4HI how much can you safely turn the wheels? Assuming it differs based on terrain and you shouldn't go full lock but you can at least turn somewhat on non-paved roads right?
     
  13. Dec 25, 2020 at 6:32 AM
    #13
    Corrosivetendency

    Corrosivetendency New Member

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    Just use common sense.
     
  14. Dec 25, 2020 at 6:43 AM
    #14
    TundraBike&SkiGuy

    TundraBike&SkiGuy So I got that goin' for me

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    I don't know that driving 70mph in 4WDH is recommended but I do routinely drive 45mph on snow covered pavement over a 5 mile stretch to and from work. I have done this for years on my 04 and now in my 20. In 13 years of owning my 04 I never had an issue with 4WD.
     
  15. Dec 25, 2020 at 6:59 AM
    #15
    Green Thunder

    Green Thunder Smooth in the Cruise

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    I hit a gravel parking lot every few months. Ten miles is just unrealistic however for me. I’ll never drive at freeway speeds with the system engaged on dry/wet pavement. That to me seems too high risk.

    I don’t always engage 4lo however...but will now. Didn’t think about the actuators.
     
  16. Dec 26, 2020 at 7:34 PM
    #16
    truckmax

    truckmax New Member

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    OP I’ll never drive at freeway speeds with the system engaged on dry/wet pavement. That to me seems too high risk.

    What is the risk factor driving in 4WD on dry/wet pavement? Really curious.
     
  17. Dec 26, 2020 at 7:38 PM
    #17
    IBeam

    IBeam New Member

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    Good info!
     
  18. Dec 26, 2020 at 8:34 PM
    #18
    Famof5Tundy

    Famof5Tundy New Member

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    Correct, general rule is to not exceed 55 mph in 4wd hi. Can you? Yes. Have I? Yes....but back to SHOULD you? It's best not to. Speed can become the binding tool in any sort of turn. Which is to answer your next question.

    Do not use ANY 4wd on dry pavement AND turn. Straight your fine, even at speed and a soft curve, your fine. Think parking lot turns....that's a no no. There is too much traction which creates binding which equals breaking. If it's wet, you can get away with a little more. But ideally...snow, sleet, sand mud, loose rock etc you're GTG.
    Some very solid and hard packed gravel roads can be problematic too. Do yourself the favor of paying attention to your vehicle. Turn the music down and feel and listen to the vehicle. You'll notice the binding.

    Good luck out there, enjoy the ride.
     
  19. Dec 26, 2020 at 9:18 PM
    #19
    truckmax

    truckmax New Member

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    Never gave it much thought, but it makes sense, so I'm going to heed Famof5Tundy and Green Thunder's advice.
    Thanks for the info.
     
  20. Dec 28, 2020 at 5:16 PM
    #20
    jstyle

    jstyle New Member

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    Hmmm I’ve never used 4WD for more than a few miles here when the trails get too sketch but it’s certainly not every month and definitely not 10 miles straight... Maybe I’ll start working that in.
     

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