I’ve got a new to me 2013 F150 Platinum 3.5L. Last night was my first time with it in the snow. I selected 4A as I needed the traction.

I had about a 1hr drive and I noticed what felt like binding while turning any slow corners or turning after a stop. It felt almost as if it were in 4H with tires seeming like they were skipping/skidding during the turn.

Yep, Ive read the manual. My understanding is that in 4A the hubs are locked and all of the front driveline is rotating but disconnected at the TC with a clutch. The clutch is only engaged when slippage is detected.

Is the additional feel of binding I’m getting simply because the hubs are locked?

My 2011 Silverado 4A had a seamless feel to it. It completely felt like it was in 2H and you almost didn’t even know it was engaging/disengaging the fronts. That’s my only reference though so maybe what I’m noticing with the F-150 system is “normal”?

Thanks.

 

No. That is not normal. The 4a should feel seamless just like your GM. If there's no wheel slippage sensed by the truck, the tcase should still technically be in 2wd and engagement of front output happens when slip is sensed. You might be able to prolong its life by doing tcase fluid change. But I have a feeling the clutches in the tcase are failing.

 

I had no idea what the maintenance history was so I recently changed the TC fluid. Didn't look bad, didn't look good. Could have been original fill for all I know and the truck has 150K miles on it. The snow is coming so I'll be spending more time with it and try to get a better understanding of whether or not it's always doing this, sometimes, etc.