explain 4wd selection
Captain of Industry
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Arklahoma
Captain of Industry
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,614
Likes: 2,262
From: Arklahoma
I love when Internet experts try to show off their vast Wikipedia knowledge by nitpicking good advice. You don't inform someone who is new to a subject by starting with the exceptions to the rules.
5 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2018
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From: Damascus, MD
True 4X4 is an old technology intended for harsher off road, low traction situations or deep snow on pavement. There are very few times when it is acceptable to drive in 4X4 on pavement, even wet pavement. Pulling a boat up a slick boat ramp is about it. 4X4 should be used sparingly even off road. If you're on hard packed dirt it is the same as pavement. Only use it on surfaces where traction that will easily allow a wheel to spin.
When you corner the inside wheels are going to try to slip slightly on the ground since they are moving at the same speed, but traveling less distance. If you're on sand, loose dirt, gravel, mud, snow or something similar the wheel will spin slightly and do no damage. If traction is good you risk breaking internal parts.
AWD is a newer, smart system that will sense where traction is needed and allow power to go to all 4 wheels and at different speeds. It is also more expensive, and while it works great on wet or dry pavement, light snow or mud, it doesn't work as well in harsher conditions or deep snow.
The owners manual recommends about 10 miles/month in 4X4 to keep the parts lubricated and to ensure the electrical parts function. Some guys will advise that it is OK on pavement as long as you don't take any sharp corners.. This is why I don't like to buy a used 4x4. I wouldn't touch one with a 10' pole if I knew the previous owner had done this. The damage is cumulative. It is rare for parts to break instantly. But over time the excessive wear will cause a premature failure. Just about everyone has forgotten to shift out of 4X4 after getting on pavement. Don't panic if you do, just get back into 4X4 ASAP and try to avoid it.
If you let the 4X4 system go unused for months at a time you risk it not working when needed. I had it happen 25 years ago and have seen others have the same issue. It isn't always practical for me to get to a dirt or gravel road every single month, but I won't go longer than 2 months. Most of the year I'm on a dirt road almost weekly. I'll shift into 4X4 for even a short distance of less than a mile if that is all I have, better than nothing. Other months I may log several hundred miles in 4X4. The key is use it or lose it.
When you corner the inside wheels are going to try to slip slightly on the ground since they are moving at the same speed, but traveling less distance. If you're on sand, loose dirt, gravel, mud, snow or something similar the wheel will spin slightly and do no damage. If traction is good you risk breaking internal parts.
AWD is a newer, smart system that will sense where traction is needed and allow power to go to all 4 wheels and at different speeds. It is also more expensive, and while it works great on wet or dry pavement, light snow or mud, it doesn't work as well in harsher conditions or deep snow.
The owners manual recommends about 10 miles/month in 4X4 to keep the parts lubricated and to ensure the electrical parts function. Some guys will advise that it is OK on pavement as long as you don't take any sharp corners.. This is why I don't like to buy a used 4x4. I wouldn't touch one with a 10' pole if I knew the previous owner had done this. The damage is cumulative. It is rare for parts to break instantly. But over time the excessive wear will cause a premature failure. Just about everyone has forgotten to shift out of 4X4 after getting on pavement. Don't panic if you do, just get back into 4X4 ASAP and try to avoid it.
If you let the 4X4 system go unused for months at a time you risk it not working when needed. I had it happen 25 years ago and have seen others have the same issue. It isn't always practical for me to get to a dirt or gravel road every single month, but I won't go longer than 2 months. Most of the year I'm on a dirt road almost weekly. I'll shift into 4X4 for even a short distance of less than a mile if that is all I have, better than nothing. Other months I may log several hundred miles in 4X4. The key is use it or lose it.
I have 4A, its NOT better in the snow than regular 4x4. Its nice to use in situations when the road conditions are changing frequently when you risk damage in 4x4 but it is not better on ice, slush or deep snow. I live in Michigan, I spend a good part of the year using 4A/ 4x4.
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Nowhereville, Barton City Michigan
5 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2018
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From: Damascus, MD
I have 4A, its NOT better in the snow than regular 4x4. Its nice to use in situations when the road conditions are changing frequently when you risk damage in 4x4 but it is not better on ice, slush or deep snow. I live in Michigan, I spend a good part of the year using 4A/ 4x4.
This may be true in some situations however according to the 4A description, 4A would be better in (almost) all cases. I put "almost" since I honestly cannot think of a situation where 100% 4x4 would be better than allowing the computer to engage it when needed but maybe some situation does exist. A computer controlled 4H, engaging when needed seems like it is the best choice for all situations. And again, many reviews that put 4x4 and 4A side-by-side also show 4A is measurably better.
How much experience do you personally have driving in snow in 4A or 4x4?
5 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2018
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From: Damascus, MD
Not a lot, which is why I go with controlled tests. The thing with me is I don't tend to put much stock in anecdotal evidence. I prefer a measured test with repeatable results. I simply can't change my mind because one person claims something is so. Now if you design a test to do some testing between 4A and 4x4 in the same conditions, record the results, repeat the results, and publish the results, and those results show 4x4 performed better, then I would be more apt to change my mind. I saw a great test between the 2 where the 4A clearly performed better (snow/hill/ice/etc). So in the absence of a test showing 4x4 is better, I'll continue to put my faith in 4A.
