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Safe top speed in 4 wheel drive?
- Thread starter lezmark7
- Start date
I had this question too... when do you all use 4H? Our other cars are full time 4 wheel drive (SUVs) with no on/off etc. I can’t recall the last time I had a vehicle with a switch like this. When does everyone turn on 4H? Only when off road? Always when off road? When do you decide between 4H and 4L?
I believe the manual states the fastest on the fly 4WD shift is 55mph. I try not to shift above 45mph though.
I also try to limit my speed to 60mph if I’m in 4WD, which is fine for variable / borderline dry conditions usually. But really where having a an AWD is beneficial
I also try to limit my speed to 60mph if I’m in 4WD, which is fine for variable / borderline dry conditions usually. But really where having a an AWD is beneficial
Do you only use 4H when you feel rear starting to slip? Or do you preemptively select 4H in any loose conditions...
Gondul
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4WD is not the same s AWD and even then, how the AWD works varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.
For my wife's Subaru, the computer detects when each wheel gets more/less grip.
4WD is basically an on/off proposition.
As far as the truck, I've only used 4H a couple of times on road... during snow or stupid heavy rain that creates huge puddles.
Otherwise 4H is plenty for some light off roading, for me 4L is for when you really need power down in the wheels, but at that point you should probably be airing down your tires as well to increase your contact patch. Too many people complain about the 4WD sucking, yet fail to air down the tires when they get stuck leaving them at 60+ psi.
And if I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will correct me..
H3LZSN1P3R
You're doing it wrong
You dont need 4wd in the snow unless rear end is slipping to much you can go 60+ in 4wd without issue just shift at 55 and under.... most winters our roads are shear ice for the majority of it
Epsilon Plus
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I've taken it over 55 and the truck can take it just fine. Huge drivetrain strength comparably to say, a Tacoma.
I'm sure if you were doing 70 and had the electronic button select and pushed 4Hi/Lo whatever, the button would just flash at you and the DIC would probably say "slow for shift" or "are you nuts? slow down foo".
I'm sure if you were doing 70 and had the electronic button select and pushed 4Hi/Lo whatever, the button would just flash at you and the DIC would probably say "slow for shift" or "are you nuts? slow down foo".
If everything is covered in snow/ice so that your tire can slip, then you're fine. If things are patchy, I wouldn't use it. You don't want to be turning on dry pavement in 4WD, it will put a lot of stress on your drivetrain.
Epsilon Plus
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Let me expand on this by mentioning trucks like the Raptor and TRX get jumped at 75+ in 4wd. I don't think speed is an issue for a well built transfer case. If anything, it's easier on it than doing first gear climbs in 4Lo with 850tq pounding through it with trail resistance.
It's more about a safe speed for conditions thing than a can it mechanically take it thing IMO.
It's more about a safe speed for conditions thing than a can it mechanically take it thing IMO.
yes, if the conditions are variable/borderline. Examples being new Snow where it’s just starting to stick, or sort of wet/sort of slushy. If I can tell it’s going to be slick (deep slush) or just deep, heavy snow I’m going in 4WD no question
Correct, The other big difference between AWD and 4wd is a center differential. I’ve owned AWD Audis And Subarus, I like them better in the snow because they are driving 4 wheels all the time and are just more predictable feeling in the slippery stuff. The Power Wagon will go thru much deeper though4WD is not the same s AWD and even then, how the AWD works varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.
For my wife's Subaru, the computer detects when each wheel gets more/less grip.
4WD is basically an on/off proposition.
As far as the truck, I've only used 4H a couple of times on road... during snow or stupid heavy rain that creates huge puddles.
Otherwise 4H is plenty for some light off roading, for me 4L is for when you really need power down in the wheels, but at that point you should probably be airing down your tires as well to increase your contact patch. Too many people complain about the 4WD sucking, yet fail to air down the tires when they get stuck leaving them at 60+ psi.
And if I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will correct me..
I agree offroad it’s 4hi unless 4hi starts struggling. Or steep technical descents it keeps speeds lower. Also long Steep accesnts to keep trans temps lower
Squatch
Well-Known Member
I shift in and out of four wheel drive while going down the highway at about 50 when I get in and out of unplowed sections and take it up to around 60 or 65 depending on what is around me at the time, certainly don’t want to kill anybody if I lose it for some reason. This Ram is definitely confidence inspiring in the snow.
H3LZSN1P3R
You're doing it wrong
And im sure anyone who lives in snow country like me can agree if your not sure or to scared to drive stay home we dont need you being in our way lol
b307a1
Well-Known Member
I am with you... I have spent my entire life in the northeast and my first reaction to slippery conditions is to slow down. I go to 4wd as a last resort.
Squatch
Well-Known Member
I bought a 4 wheel drive so I can play with my 4 wheel drive, I’m certainly not trying to use it sparingly.
I do the same thing living in Alberta we have 6 months of winter driving most of the time the roads are covered in Ice (snow packed down) the roads are cleared of snow by the transportation dept pretty fast, but the snow does get packed down by other vehicles within 1 - 2 hours of snow fall and causes the icy conditions. When it is warmer then -18 degrees Celsius the salt melts the ice, but the last two weeks it hasn't gotten above -21 degrees (-6 Fahrenheit) , - 36 degrees at night. (-33 Fahrenheit),
JohnandDonna
Well-Known Member
The TRX has a special Full time 4 wheel drive system similar to AWD which is why it can do that. The 4 wheel drive of the HD trucks can not do that. I only use 4 Hi in situations that I need traction, like snow. The biggest concern is that the front wheels are locked in 4 wheel drive. So when you turn the tires need to be able to slip some because they are both turning at the same speed, otherwise you get front end jump. As stated elsewhere, the strain on the front end if it can not slip will eventually cause drivetrain damage.
Millmutt
Active Member
I go in and out of 4 wheel high all the time at any speed. There is no lock out that prevents it. I just drove from Denver to Great Falls and back had wet slush and snowy conditions on the interstate and us highways for
a few hundred miles. At speeds 75 to 85 I toggle in and out of 4 wheel no problem. I am not one to wait for the truck to start slipping. If I think I need it I use it. Never had an issue on this truck or any other.
Slower speeds and tighter turns around town the truck will let you know, you can feel the bind. Never had problem at highway speeds.
a few hundred miles. At speeds 75 to 85 I toggle in and out of 4 wheel no problem. I am not one to wait for the truck to start slipping. If I think I need it I use it. Never had an issue on this truck or any other.
Slower speeds and tighter turns around town the truck will let you know, you can feel the bind. Never had problem at highway speeds.