ok pardon my ignorance on this issue.

I have read here before about not using your 4x4 mechanism unless you are on slippery surfaces. My question is, what about the day or two after a snow where the road is partially slick, just in spots. Is it ok to go ahead and use the 4x4 system without causing damage?
How do you determine that fine line on when and when not to?.
thanks!

 

Well, I am not an expert but.....Last year we had huge snowfalls and at that time I had a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. We had that thing in 4Hi for close to two solid weeks. Once the road transitioned from more snow to more pavement, then I turned it off. Having 4WD on the fly also helps. It isn't a problem to kick it into 4Hi when you hit those slick sections (if speed appropriate).

 

The purpose of the 4X4 system is to provide more motive traction, when the traction provided by the rear wheels alone, is no longer sufficient.

Normally, if you are hitting only intermittent patches, after a storm has cleared and the roads have been sanded/salted, coupled with being on a level roadway surface, you will not need to use four wheel drive, especially if you have the limited slip rear end option.

If you start to lose traction, say on a slight incline or hill, then you can shift into four wheel as needed.

The issue of damage only comes in if you are on absolutely dry pavement, not a dirt or gravel road, or a wet, snowy, icy road, where the front drive train can not 'slip' and may 'bind' up and cause unwanted stress on the front driveline components.

Most likely at moderate speeds, and without sudden or harsh applications of power, what you describe in your situation, will not cause a problem with the system in today's vehicles.

I have experimented a lot over the years both in my personal vehicle and my FWD work vehicles, both on and off road, in a broad range of surface conditions and I have not had a failure of components within the discussion above.

Common sense prevails. On a hot sunny summer day, I wouldn't put it in FWD at 55 MPH on a high coeficient of friction highway; however, if you are in the mountains or desert on dirt, gravel, or sand, even dry, where you cannot maintain normal traction, then it is a proper use of the FWD system.

 

great explaination! thanks that was helpful

 

Just for random slippery spots I wouldn't think 4wd is necessary. I have driven many 2wd only vehicles in snow and slippery spots and there are numberous other vehicles on the road that don't have 4wd as an option.

 

You can also use 4 wheel low for towing. I use mine to pull the boat out of the ramp and to back the boat up. It backs up slowly and is easier to control the trailer. Even on dry pavement you are going slow and only a short distance so damage to the drivetrain is unlikely.
JIm

 

if your on dry pavement then its not going to hurt if your going in a straight line. its when you turn is when you cause damage. turning causes things to bind up.

 

Well said.

 

If it's slippery out and you are concerned then use 4x4. That's what it's there for. If your on the highway then keep your speed under 60mph and your fine. I've been driving lots in bad winters for years, sometimes for 800km a time in 4x4 and never once have had a issue with my trucks.
Your life is far more important then some axle seals or a transfer case.

 

Not to get off message for the topic of this thread—avoiding damage to 4X4 drive-train—however, as winter approaches and for those who may be new to FWD vehicles and their operation, or who do not have the opportunity to get a lot of time driving in the snow, on icy roads, and/or during heavy snow fall in the mountains and at high altitudes where low temperatures can cause ice to form on top of snow packed roadway surface, I offer this observation.

Four wheel drive is not a panacea for operating under adverse roadway conditions often encountered during the winter months, especially in more rural areas where DOT maintenance of roadway surfaces, i.e. sanding/salting, may not be at high level.

The option of four wheel drive, is merely an aid, as stated before, to motive traction. It is not, however, an aid to the ability to [stop] your vehicle and/or keep it from sliding out of control on a slippery/icy roadway surface. That aspect is more directly related to the tire type (also traction devices such as chains or devices such as Spyders) you have which is making contact with the roadway surface, coupled with the speed at which you are operating your vehicle. Also remember, you can lose steering control on an icy road, which again comes down to the tire type you have coupled with the roadway condition.

Many who have 4X4 vehicles and who have had limited experience operating in snow conditions, assume a very false sense of security and operational potential, by driving too fast and over their head so to speak, on snow covered, slick, roadways even when chain controls restrictions are in effect, including a speed limit of 25-30 MPH. Moreover, most chain control levels in CA (I/II) do not require a 4X in operating in that mode to be chained up, just to carry chains in the vehicle.

I cannot tell you how many accidents I have observed over the years, which have involved light rear ended, lifted, 4X4 pickup trucks with 12.5” MT tires, with drivers who drive too fast for conditions and run off the road over the bank, while in 4X4 mode. The drivers always state, “but I have a 4X4!!??”

I love having the FWD option, it allows me to get up and out of my long steep driveway in the winter, and it allows me the peace of mind to travel where I might not be able to venture in a 2X, while living, working, in a region which gets a lot of winter snow and ice on the highway.

I remember a story related to me by a motorist from the Bay Area on a weekend trip to the Lake Tahoe region, wherein he had struck two other cars on the interstate at about the 7,000 foot level……..”It was snowing hard, I saw the other cars stopping ahead; I steered my car right and it went left, I steered my car left and it went right, I stepped on the brakes and the car just went sliding faster, and then I hit the other guy….”

These are just some thoughts and observations to file away, for some of you who may be new to the great world of owning a vehicle with FWD.