I've had several trucks over the past 20 years, but none with 4x4 until now. I have a 16 XLT, so I don't have the 4A feature and factory tires with only 4000 miles.

On to the question. I've used 4x4 this past winter in the snow. It worked great! Now that it's spring and very wet, can I safely use 4H on wet roads without any concern? I'm not too concerned with highway driving, but when driving on slippery, winding roads, I feel the tires slipping some. Can I use 4H when driving in the rain?

 

You can use 4wd anytime you want as long as it's not in tight turning maneuvers (i.e. Trying to pull into parking spaces) on non slippery surfaces, that will cause binding problems that will stress the drivetrain.

 

To add to that (and forgive me if you know this already), the reason you can't turn on dry surfaces with 4HI is because the front differential is locked and both wheels are rotating at the exact same speed. When you make a turn, the outside wheel to the curve has to travel a further distance than the inside one which means one of them has to slip on the surface they're driving on. If you do this on a dry, high-friction surface like pavement the tire cannot slip and it puts tremendous strain on the differential components, bad enough that you can hear it grinding within the cab.

Wet pavement is not nearly as slippery as fresh snow, ice, mud, or other low friction surfaces. You can use 4HI in it but try to turn it off when making anything more than a quarter turn of the steering wheel. On straightaways it's not a big deal and shallow turns (i.e. lane changes, freeway exits, etc.) should be okay as well. Pay attention to the diff noise for the first several times you're doing it to see if you can hear any binding. After that you should get a better idea of how much you can maneuver in 4HI without getting into too much trouble.

And I would very seriously recommend looking at getting 4A for your next truck. It is FANTASTIC and was the main reason I was a GM guy for so long as they were the only ones that had it with their AutoTrac. As soon as I heard that Fords had it I was damn near sold, went and looked at a Lariat and here I am.

 

Ford should have put 4A in their entire F series 4x4 lineup. I'm sure they could have picked up even more sales from the other manufacturers.

 

Yeah you can. As another guy said if you feel binding you shouldn't be using it.

Honestly though decreased speed and a lighter foot especially on curves are your friends here.

 

I wouldn't use 4x4 in the wet.. snow and ice only.

 

The front differential isn't locked BTW

 

It's a simple rule: If your tires have a solid grip on the ground, don't use 4x4.

Only use 4x4 when your tires can slip. Snow, ice, mud, loose sand (like beach sand). The only exception would be if let's say you're pulling someone out that is stuck, or you're pulling out a tree stump or something, and driving in a straight line. But even then, I would try in 2wd first, or find another way, like winching.

As for 4A, it's not a perfect system, and there are threads here of breakages happening when turning a corner in 4A.

 

I feel like 4x4 is a 90/10 rule. 90% of the time I am in 2x4, 10% I am in 4x4. I only use 4x4 when I know I need it. I.E. on snow/ice when 2x4 isn't getting the job done. However, as others have said don't engage 4x4 on dry roads and try to turn.


The 4x4 components need lubrication, so I will run 4x4 on dry roads on a long straight path about once a month in the non-snow months to keep everything lubricated. Same rule with the e-locker if you have it. Find a straight road and engage the e-locker for just a few feet at low speeds to make sure that it freely engages and disengages. Just my $.02

 

I use it in inclement weather (snow and ice) obviously. Also for some light offroading. And also to get a good launch from a light when needed. (I won't go into details as to not violate board rules!)