My 2017 has 4A, i was wondering how it works? Does it keep the hubs locked in and just engages the transfer case when it senses slip?

 

Yes...precisely!!!! When it senses rear wheel slippage, the front wheels engage.

 

Yep, exactly. The computer and some clutches provide power to the wheel the system determines requires it.

Not to be confused with all wheel drive though.

 

you got it

 

Question, I get there is a transfer of torque to the front axle based on the slippage of the rear, however, are both left and right tires (front and rear) locked like in 4H?

 

No, the left and right tires are not locked in either 4 hi or 4 auto unless you have the ELD engaged in which case only the rears are locked together until a certain speed is reached (32 km/h I think) or you disengage it with the switch.

 

4A should be a game changer for you seeing as youre in Ontario. The beauty of 4A is you set it and forget it lol When the roads are iffy i just put it in 4A and leave it in there, you can drive all day on any road condition with it. Ive owned my truck for 3 years now and have only used 4A in the winter and last month was the first time i put it in 4H, we got hammered with a freak snow storm and needed 4H to get me out.

 

Thanks guys. Makes sense not to be locked, thus capability on the dry pavement. As riptide88 said, works great in Ontario with fluctuating temps and ice/snow/dry all the time it seems. New question now.... in 4H, the left and right are not locked, does that mean they are only 2 wheel drive (1 front and 1 rear), or is there a drive to all wheels with a slip allowed between left and right (mechanical or electronic)? Sorry for the many questions. I find this very interesting.

 

Is there any negative to leaving it in 4A all the time? Like extra wear and tare or reduced mpg's. Maybe it helps prevent rear tire spin saving some tire tread.

 

You have two open differentials on your truck. one front, and one in the back. The back may or may not have a electric locking diff which ties the back two axles together. Power is sent to all four wheel, but the front diff is not locked so you can spin one wheel and not the other. The back works on the same principal unless the diff is locked.