How do you drive a 4x4?

It’s so different from my other suv which was full time 4wd that I just left it on H4F whatever that means and I had no traction issue. Now with 4x4 with the tundra I leave it on 2WD mode and engage 4H when I pass 30 mph and my truck still has no traction sometimes. It slides so how do I drive the tundra better? It’s so different then the 4runner limited I had where I always had good traction and no issues.

 

When the truck is in 4WD the front and rear wheels are forced to turn the same speed. It's the old school 4x4 type sans the locking hubs. That's why it says don't drive in 4x4 on dry pavement. Just the difference in tire squish from front to back and the different effective tire diameters puts some stress on everything and if the vehicle is turned those forces go way up. It could break stuff if the truck is turned and it has enough traction.

So use 2wd if it's dry (and honestly, when it's raining too, wet pavement is still pretty grippy). Use 4wd if the ground under the tire will slip instead of grip (i.e. snow, ice, dirt, sand). If you have to use 4wd on good traction ground (i.e. intermittent ice, or friday night test 'n tunes), only drive straight, and go back into 2wd to take turns, but remember it does potentially cause some wear.

If all the roads are snowy I just put it in 4x4 and leave it, keep in mind the stern can kick out in a corner under power, and watch for well-salted intersections where I might have to switch back to 2wd temporarily.

I understand the traction frustration. 380 hp engine up front, light rear end, tires skinnier than on a Tacoma (i have 255s), it's a recipe for burning rubber. The options are treat the go pedal with respect or go thru the expense of converting to a full time 4x4 capable transfer case like some here have done but that's $$$

 

Hmm this seems a little weird how they could put it in the 4Runner but not in the tundra. 4Runner had better traction and it was a v6. You think for being a v8 4WD it would have the equivalent traction power.

 

Quite the reverse. Traction is from friction, and the more powerful the engine, the easier it is to overwhelm that friction and spin. Plus with a truck the rear end is comparatively lighter than an SUV so that reduces maximum traction from the rear wheels when unloaded.

 

Is this another "I didn't read the manual " thing???

 

How about, I never got a manual since its a used truck?

 

How do you drive a 4x4?



I lock the hubs, shift the X-fer case into 4F'EM, and pin the throttle. Occassionally I will avail myself of the steering wheel if I feel like changing direction.

 

It's a much more powerful vehicle, with different weight and distribution of that weight, plus has a less advanced transfer case (only 4WD vs AWD). There's gonna be differences. Personally I think the tundra has really good traction and puts the power down amazingly well. With some practice and depending on your tire setup I think you'll find the tundra can do well, though no way around the 4wd vs AWD thing.

 

You are comparing apples and oranges. Like others said a truck has a light rear end and the V8 has more power. If you need to use 4wd on dry pavement to lubricate only do it on straight road at lower speeds.

 

Good advice above. Folks here will help you out.

For manuals, they’re online too. Here you go: https://www.toyota.com/owners/resources/warranty-owners-manuals/tundra/2012

 

Course half the people have read the manual and think your truck will blow up if you turn in 4wd and are limited to 27mph lol

 

During the winter Month's here in N.E. I'll add a few hundred pounds of sandbags right over the rear axle, makes a huge difference in the snow.

 

4Runner has a way better weight distribution than any truck. Also the 4Runner is a virtual snow machine because of said weight distribution. Just ridiculous how good it is in the white stuff. Add some weight to the back of your Tundra and you will have better traction.

 

^^^ yup do this, it makes a lot of difference and the weight distribution is a lot better. I like to have the rubber bed mat + a couple wooden frames in front of and behind the bags so they don't move in an emergency stop.

 

That sucks. Who sells a truck without the manual? You can get a pdf online from Toyota for free https://www.toyota.com/owners/resources/warranty-owners-manuals

 

Mines used and still got a manual.

 

@helpmeout in terms of the tundra slipping... it could be a simple tire choice issue as well. I had new name brand tires on my 2wd v8 4 runner at one point and they just didn’t match well with the vehicle. Switched to different ones and had a huge improvement in traction for highway tires.

May want to browse some of the tire/wheel threads on here and see what ppl are liking specifically for your Tundra.

 

I got the rock warrior package and it comes with Nitto Ridge Grapplers 285/70R17. Tires are still in excellent shape. It was just kinda scary when my truck almost swerved and hit the car near me as I was trying to accelerate a little more.

EDIT:
What is a tow haul mode? I just watched a video and it said it gives a better engine response meaning I can feel a little more power?

 

The 4Runner full time 4wd....? But you left it in 4H? AWD is not 4 whee drive... you sound like you have zero clue what you’re talking about and this is pretty simple stuff lol

 

The limited 4runner has full time 4wd which technicially means AWD but has l4l, h4l, h4f. h4f is meant for pavement just so you know. I guess you won't know unless you own a limited 4runner because only the limited has that 4WD system while the sr5 and offroad has the regular 4WD.

 

well that’s new to me, I apologize!! I had no idea some 4runners came with that. Seems kind of weird

 

That sounds like the system that came in the 6-spd manual transmission FJ. It had H (AWD), HL (high range locked center diff), neutral, and LL (low range locked center diff). Auto transmission FJ had the conventional 4WD.

It's possible to convert to it for some trucks https://www.tundras.com/threads/how...013-tundra-to-full-time-awd-capability.54474/

 

The Limited 4Humpers with the rubber band tires are full time 4WD and a center differential... which, as far as I'm concerned, is AWD.

 

I wish the tundra had the same 4WD system as the 4runner because I miss it. So much simpler to use. I may go back to the 4runner limited if I don't like the tundra.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4ojl8t92oA&t=110s

 

How about... "Gee I just got a used tunny with no manual". "Maybe I should check the internet for one". Ebay for example is a good start. Heads up....if you ever buy an airplane....don't go on a forum to ask how to fly it because it's used and no manual came with it. Just sayin....

 

I will give it 3 more months and see how I feel bout this tundra, so far its a hit or miss and I really did like the 4runner but it just felt kinda sluggish but it was great for what it was especially the limited trim which was fantastic.

 

I truly hope it works out well for you. Give it some time. Get used to it then report back. Can you post a pic of your Tundra?

 

Well, glad I didn't read it then.

 

I hear you. I always had AWD vehicles and then I got a 4WD Tacoma. As I was looking at it, my salesman said - be careful it does not have a center differential so dont drive it on dry pavement. I was like - whatever give me these shinny balls on 4 wheels and I am out of here. So.... then I read my manual and found out that I can only use 4wd on slippery surfaces plus below 55mph.. I was like hah whatever. I put it in 4wd and pull into a gas station - all of the sudden my truck starts to jump around as I slightly turn the steering wheels. Hm whatever. I put it into 2wd, go to work and read about PART TIME 4WD.
So.. a differential is something you put inbetween wheels to allow them to spin at different rates (during turns - if you turn right, the right rear wheel travels the least distance so it spins the least). without the differential, rear wheel would spin the same as the others and it would do burn outs.
Anyway... so Tacoma has the PARTTIME 4WD. It means that there is a REAR differential (for rear wheels), front differential (for front wheels) and the actuator which connects rear to front... But hey.. REAR wheels travel different distance than FRONT wheels during turns.. so not only each wheels travels different distance but in total front and rear travel different distance. Tacoma does not have a center differential to allow front and rear travel different distance, so if you turn the 4WD on and drive on a pavement - you will damage something.
Limited 4runner has the center differential with an option to lock it. By locking it, you turn it into a Tacoma 4runner is definitely superior in this sense to a Tundra or Tacoma which use the PART time 4 wheel drive.
So, I read all this and sold my Tacoma a year later and got an AWD Camry. 3 weeks after that - got a Tundra. Good tires - all season and winter, plus thinking ahead is superior to AWD or FULL TIME 4WD.
If you check drive tests for AWD with all season and 2WD with winter tires - 2WD wins.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYAw79386WI

watch this