When to and when not to put in 4WD?

I don't often need it. I mainly only use it when we have snow on the roads. However, I do try to engage it for a few miles each month, just to keep it lubed and working. I'll pick a straight stretch on a rainy day and switch it over to 4HI for a few miles at a time.

When it comes to mechanical equipment, I find it's most reliable when you DO use it (properly). You're not making life easier on it by never using it.

 

Something tells me that the road conditions that warrant 4 wheel drive are probably not the same conditions that would allow 75mph to be a safe travel speed... but you do you.

 

You've never drove in AK. Drive like an Alaskan or get in the slow lane. That's how traffic rolls up here.

 

The best drivers in North America for sure!

 

Not the case at all. Welcome to Alaskan driving. We do it for half the year, and you get used to it relatively quick.

Number one demographic I see in the ditch up here is trucks. While we do have a TON of trucks up here, I would bet the overwhelming majority of them were not in 4wd……. I know it’s happened to me for that exact reason.

My daily commute starts with my damn driveway that I need 4X4 to climb and then 45mph road that is invariably in some state of half assed plowed. Then ice covered intersection onto a three lane 65mph highway which goes from ice/snow/dry pavement randomly as I drive into town where most every side street and intersection is ice/snow . Like any other hwy, 65mph equates to about a 75mph travelled speed in left lane.

Keeping my rig in 4x4 makes it so I’m not constantly switching in/out of 4x4, and I only see a 1-1.5 mpg hit. Gladly deal with it for added convenience and safety.

 

Snowmachine or 4x4...those are the options there for sure! You're not in control unless you're outta control still rings true...it translates to the lower 48 too but most of everyone hasn't had the engrained training we all had!

 

This.

I believe the manual actually recommends 10 miles per month of 4WD to allow lubrication in the transfer case.

 

Is there any harm to just leave 4H engaged all the time during snow, ice, and bad weather days? Even when I park and start back up the next day?

I like that my 97 Land Cruiser is full time 4H. I’m sure there’s some logic to not do this in a truck I just don’t know why.

 

no harm at all.

 

Thank you! I’m glad someone feels the same. It’s like putting seat covers over leather seats that you already paid Toyota for so you can one day sell it and tell the new owner that the seats are like new who will likely just enjoy it on behalf that you already paid for them when the car depreciated.

 

In 4 wheel drive, the front tires are set to turn slightly faster than rear and is designed that way to help in keeping vehicle moving forward in straight line, if it were not when you hit slippery conditions the rear would try to pass the front. I have had many types of trucks and Jeeps with 4 wheel drive and when on hard surfaces would always take out of 4 wheel drive. Worked pretty well without seeing excessive front tire wear.

 

All four wheels with front and rear sway bars here in Alberta Im flying in every turn haha. Damn I love it.

 

To the OP, today (in Bend, OR) seems like a good day to use 4WD.

@t4r2tundra, this link is for you.

 

Living in Alaska, I usually put it in 4 hi somewhere around November and leave it that way until March or April. Never had a problem.

 

I think it would be.... I'm down in Santa Cruz for the Holiday... but back hopefully next weekend!!