Pros, cons? I understand the basics re: 4WD vs 2WD. Have been driving 4x4's for years (last was a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee) but this is my first 4Runner.

If I run with the 4Runner in 4WD all the time even in dry conditions what will occur? The manual states higher fuel consumption & tire wear will occur quicker if 4WD is all the time. Other than that, which is not that big a deal to me, are there pros/cons?

Thank you.

 

If you run 4WD all the time, you'll experience binding and accelerated wear of the 4WD components. Not to mention significantly decreased gas mileage. It's better to run in 2WD and use 4WD when absolutely needed.

 

depends what runner you have. the later ones 99-02 i think have multimode 4wd/awd, meaning you can drive in 4H or 2H in any conditions. the earlier ones 96-99 have only part time 4wd, meaning you cant drive 4H in normal dry road conditions. well..technically you can...but bad things can/will happen.

 

2002 4x4.

 

Do you still have the owner's manual? As silly as it sounds, it might line it out in there for you...

 

I personally would not drive my '02 in AWD mode all the time. (It might say 4WD, but unless you phyically move the stick into 4Lo, you're actually in AWD when you push that side button.)

I don't know exactly what damage it would create b/c I've never seen the effects of an '02 after someone's driven it for a very long time in AWD.

If I remember correctly, you're not supposed to drive the vehicle in AWD above 60mph. Someone w/ multimode correct me if I'm wrong. Thought it said somewhere in the manual about that.

Also since VSC and TRAC are always on, putting it in AWD while driving down the freeway is overkill IMO. I only use AWD when in extreme condtions and driving slower than 60mph.

 

The owners manual for the 2002 4R states that you should be *under* 60mph when transferring to 4wd (AWD) from 2WD. It also states that you can drive at any speed in 4WD/AWD, just not for transferring.

Driving in rear wheel drive on anything but dry conditions is asking for trouble from what I understand.

 

you will be fine but i dont know why youd wanna do that.

in an 02, you can run it at any speed, for however long you want... i just dont see the benefit.

on the road, i really only put it in awd for extremely wet or icy/snowy conditions.

when its a light rain i just leave it in 2wd.

 

yeah, i only put my 02 in AWD when on the highway in a down pour, or around town when im running late and its pouring. like lee if its not pouring or snowing/icy, leave it in 2wd.

 

Well that's good to know. I knew it said something about a 60mph condition. Just couldn't remember what it was.

Just leave it in 2WD (under normal conditions) and you'll be fine.

 

I don't know why you would want to be in 4wd all the time either. If it's dry on concrete you would probably roll over before you would loose control due to 2wd.

 

Like others say, leave it in 2wd unless conditions warrent.

 

Thanks, much appreciated. The rationale for 4WD all the time is for extra handling/traction when needed.