As I said, you can engage 4H on dry pavement. No need to search for back roads.

 

Just don't make any sharp turns...

 

If you really meant instead of 4A, no.

4H should not be used on dry pavement. 4H used on dry pavement will stress the hell out of the drive train not to mention the tires primarily during turns.
4H is part time 4x4 for use on slippery, dirt, snowy, gravel roads only.
4H is called part time 4x4 for a reason.

 

 

Wrong... so, I'm driving in 4H in the snow and hit a dry patch of road ... I just ruined my 4WD system. We already mentioned several times not to make turns. That's what will stress out the drive train.

 

please don't do that. I made the mistake of forgetting to kill 4H after coming out of nasty road, one time. Felt terrible...

 

Any thoughts on whether or not there's any difference with the newer electronic 4x4 switch as opposed to older (and other vehicles such as jeeps) mechanical 4x4 linkage? Or are the internal parts needing lubrication the same either way?

 

I think it's more important with the newer vehicles to randomly switch into 4WD. With the old mechanical systems you could pretty much always force the transfer case to do what you wanted. Not so much when you're relying on an electric motor to do the switching.

 

Yes, 4A will do the same job in engaging the front differential and can be used on dry pavement. No need to find dirt in order to use 4Hi or 4Lo which should not be used on pavement. 4A is different and can be used on pavement and will lubricate and use the front drive train.

 

Go ahead some of you people and use 'part time' 4H as if it was a full time 4x4 system.

Even on a straight away, lane changes, minor swerving, etc. on dry patches can contribute to minor to medium torquing of the drive train.
Hitting a short dry patch on a snowy road on a straight away is ok as long as there's a lot more slippery areas to un-torque a possibly torqued drive train.

The issue is the OPer asked a 4x4 question and i believe he could take away from some the replies its ok to get in the habit of using 4H on a mostly dry road or even a 100% dry road.

The main problem and i admit i've done it myself coming off a patchy snowy road, is forgetting 4H is enabled then turn into a parking lot or side street and then a loud OH ''S^%T'.

These IWE 4x4 systems have enough inherent problems of their own without purposely adding more.