In heavy rain, I usually put my runner on 4x4 mode, on the freeway/local. Is this not a good idea? I may travel speed up to 75mph. What kinda damage can I potentially cause?

 

do you have the fulltime/parttime transfer case or just part time? if its the latter i guess theres no harm in doin this. its good youre doing it in the rain, so as to create less wear and tear drivetrain components. as for goin 75, the manual n what not says dont go over 55, but theres no gearing change, except that now youre driving the front axles too. i guess they just say that for precautionary purposes. i think youre fine

 

My thoughts are that if you are not comfortable driving 75 in the rain, then you shouldn't be driving that fast. And if you're having problems with traction in the rain, you should look at new tires.

You really should never need to use 4x4 in the rain.

 

hmm, thanks for the inputs. I normally drove in 4x4 mode for safety measures, but I think I'll use it only when there's really heavy rainfall and I'm doing less than 60mph.

 

I prefer to NOT use 4WD in any situation unless I feel I'm losing traction and can't control it. Use of 4WD all the time makes you too dependent on it and causes you to lose your skills at foul weather driving. If you're having problems in the rain or snow, slow down and lighten up on the pedals. I definately consider tire condition and the appropriate tire to be the best defense, assuming you know how to handle a vehicle.

 

Driving on the highway in the rain in 4WD? No WAY is there a reason to do that. I also think that 75 is probably the upper limit of speed at which 4WD should be engaged.

 

I thought 55 was the max speed for 4x4.

I dont think driving at high speeds in 4x4 will make much of a difference. If you loose traction in 2wd you will loose traction in 4wd. The only time I can see it help is if you are flooring it from a stop, then your rear wheels can peel out, if you have it in 4wd then you wont peel out. But doing 75 mph in 4wd doesnt give you much if any advantages, you'll still hyroplane. MAYBE high speed corning 4wd will help you a little since the front tires will be pulling in the direction you want to go.

 

there is a defined maximum speed for shifting/engaging 4WD, but no maximum for cruising in 4WD.

the argument is usually that you have no need to go that fast in 4WD so you shouldn't.... no comment...

 

I agree with everyone else here. No real reason to drive 75 in 4x4. I don't see any "safety advantages" to it.

 

Correct on the first point. Also a very valid second point.

If you have part time 4wd, then it only increases wear and tear and may actually make a possible slide worse as both front a rear axels cannot spin freely from each other. If you have a center different lock you can drive in with 4wd engaged in more of a awd fasion. I would still slow down especially if you feel you are losing traction, and make sure your tires can handle wet conditions well.