i was hoping i could've used my 4x4 by now but we don't even have snow up here in Canada. Weird.

So just say i'm on my cottage winding road and mother nature just dumped a good 20 cm of snow. With all the turns, is it BAD to use the 4x4?? i'm always under the assumption that 4x4 can only be used going straight or turning when your're slipping.

So just say that it is a snow filled straight road and you have the 4x4 engaged. You see a turn comming up, are you supposed to disengage back into 2wd, make your turn and then put it back into 4x4? is it bad to make a turn on full lock with the 4x4 engaged??

 

On dry pavement, yes, it is bad. And no, there's no need to take it out of 4x4 to turn if conditions merit using it in the first place. Unless you're parking in a tight spot or something.

I use 4x4 in snow, almost all the time when off road, and sometimes even during heavy rains. Usually I don't use it in the rain though, only if there's alot of standing water. I feel like I have better control.

 

4wd can be engaged on slippery and soft surfaces, you dont need to be in snow. It can be loose gravel, dirt, and pretty much anything unpaved.

You dont have to disengage to go around turns either-thats what 4wd hi is for, 4wd lo is for going much, much slower.

 

I personally don't think it's bad. I keep my 4runner in 4wd while driving around Whistler. If the roads have good traction leave it in 2wd, if they have bad traction then switch to 4wd. Keep your hubs locked (if you have manuals) so you can switch eaisly, unless you think there will be and extended period of time where traction will be good and no chance of ever needing 4wd.

 

All of the above information is spot on.

Perhaps what you are refering to with respect to turning is that, when in 4wd, it is more difficult to make tight turns, like when pulling a u turn or trying to park. 4wd does make those situations more difficult, but not impossible, nor is it bad for the truck.

 

If you in snow you can turn as tight as you want and will be fine, it may not turn as tight as it would on pvmt in 2wd, but still wont hurt anything. There is less traction, therefor the tires can slip to keep the driveline from binding.

 

4WD is a tool to use, not to keep in the tool box. We havent had too much snow this winter either but we had slush and rain which froze, and I threw it in to AWD right away. When it got sketchier 4WD 4hi it was. Just avoid 4WD on dry paved roads when making sharper turns..like a 90 deg left. Casual winding roads should not have you worrying even if dry, and is a good thing to do every once and a while to lube er all up as even stated in the manual. Just remember 4WD doesnt make you stop faster! Driving to the conditions and with 4WD makes life easy.

 

I wouldnt reccommend to anyone to drive in 4hi on bare pavement, it doesnt matter if its a 2* turn or a 90* turn, you will incur binding, which is very hard on parts, and if done enought or hard enough can break something in your driveline... There is a reason the Toyota visor placard says for slipery surfaces....

 

Reminds me a of a couple weeks ago when some dude told me it was bad to use 4WD in snow, then I showed him the sticker that was put on my truck at the factory stating 4WD HI-Used in snowy, or slick conditions. (or something along those lines) and I ask him what the hell else is 4WD used for, and he said it was invented for muddin, and proceeeded to get in his rusted up ford pickup with stacks and a flatbed and drive off... Sometimes I wish stupid people didn't breed...

 

^ why do you keep bumping old threads?

 

Because you touch yourself at night!

Honestly, I searched for some stuff, and then I posted a whole bunch, and then noticed I was posting in WAYYY old threads..

 

nothing wrong with reviving good info for current discussion... in all the boards I surf this is one of the few where people give crap for old threads (I have been known to do it too, but dont care anymore)... good info only goes bad if the facts change.

 

^ true. i'm just used to modding over on supramania. we have a box that you have to check to make you be able to post in a thread over x amount of days old. (i think it's set to 60 days)- so i'm not used to seeing old threads bumped. that's all.

and there's nothing wrong with a little self love. haha