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Please help me understand 4 wheel drive

Just remember that if you are in 4WD and lift, especially with the EB engaged Full On (IOW, don't do that), you could break traction quicker than not being in 4WD and go into uncontrolled oversteer.

One has to be mindful of these factors and learn to "feather" the throttle, and/or when to get the front tires to pull if you're in an oversteer situation.
 
I wont run 4wd on the hwy unless there is a fresh snow fall of 5+ inches… a good set of tires and you dont need 4wd for most snow you just need to know how to use the throttle gently. We constantly have hard packed snow and ice on the highways for 3-4 months of the year its no issue driving on even with the EB on auto (even using cruise), if its slick out and you feel the rear end kicking out (mainly black ice) just let off the throttle and the back end just straightens out like nothing happened.


4wd is best kept for when you need it in my books
 
H3LZSN1P3R said:
I wont run 4wd on the hwy unless there is a fresh snow fall of 5+ inches… a good set of tires and you dont need 4wd for most snow you just need to know how to use the throttle gently. We constantly have hard packed snow and ice on the highways for 3-4 months of the year its no issue driving on even with the EB on auto (even using cruise), if its slick out and you feel the rear end kicking out (mainly black ice) just let off the throttle and the back end just straightens out like nothing happened.


4wd is best kept for when you need it in my books
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I worked oilfield in Alberta driving all over the place. My last work truck was RAM 2500 (with 5.7) with studded winter tires and yet losing the rear wheel traction still happened quite often and it didn't need to be 5+ inches of snow. We also have snow on the ground for a bit longer than 3-4 months especially northern parts of Alberta. I always kept my trucks in 4WD if I felt like traction was low. I usually hit breaks hard every morning when get on a highway to test how slippery the roads were. I may not always "needed" a 4WD on every road but it certainly won't hurt anything when you're just driving straight. Driving around cities I'd keep them mostly in 2WD when I know I need to make a lot of turns and slow speed maneuvers, unless the roads were real crap.
 
MEGA HO 3500 said:
I worked oilfield in Alberta driving all over the place. My last work truck was RAM 2500 (with 5.7) with studded winter tires and yet losing the rear wheel traction still happened quite often and it didn't need to be 5+ inches of snow. We also have snow on the ground for a bit longer than 3-4 months especially northern parts of Alberta. I always kept my trucks in 4WD if I felt like traction was low. I usually hit breaks hard every morning when get on a highway to test how slippery the roads were. I may not always "needed" a 4WD on every road but it certainly won't hurt anything when you're just driving straight. Driving around cities I'd keep them mostly in 2WD when I know I need to make a lot of turns and slow speed maneuvers, unless the roads were real crap.
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Im northern onterrible so similar environment (i worked out in berta for a few years) its different strokes for different folks i guess depending on your comfort level, i always have a ton of weight in the truck but the odd time im unloaded i dont feel much of a difference… i hope you dont think my post was directed at you i was more just commenting my experience and feels, the PO sounds like he is not from the deep freeze areas so he would be more inclined to follow your advice as all of us northerners know snow and ice is a completely different ball game and it is a learning curve
 
H3LZSN1P3R said:
Im northern onterrible so similar environment (i worked out in berta for a few years) its different strokes for different folks i guess depending on your comfort level, i always have a ton of weight in the truck but the odd time im unloaded i dont feel much of a difference… i hope you dont think my post was directed at you i was more just commenting my experience and feels, the PO sounds like he is not from the deep freeze areas so he would be more inclined to follow your advice as all of us northerners know snow and ice is a completely different ball game and it is a learning curve
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It also depends on the type of snow. Snowpacked roads or a few inches of fresh snow when it’s cold out are actually pretty grippy. Ice and slush are the tricky ones
 
Pulling something and driving through sand and mud is all good for straight 4wheel drive?

No ice or snow down here but I do use it in heavy rains on the highway
 
Shadowboxin20 said:
Pulling something and driving through sand and mud is all good for straight 4wheel drive?

No ice or snow down here but I do use it in heavy rains on the highway
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No need for it on wet highway it wont make a difference other than a possible failure….

and yes sand and mud if fine for 4wd
 
Shadowboxin20 said:
Pulling something and driving through sand and mud is all good for straight 4wheel drive?

No ice or snow down here but I do use it in heavy rains on the highway
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Don’t use 4x4 in rain on pavement that’s not what it’s for.

This thread is part of why you can’t buy a decent used truck
 
Shadowboxin20 said:
So what’s the point of the auto?
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Auto what?

If you’re referring to auto 4x4.. we don’t have that…. At least, I don’t see in the manual where you can get one of these optioned with it.

But if you have a Chevy or something (np246 etc) equipped with auto 4x4 it is 2wd until it senses tires spinning and then it has an actuator that clutches in the front drive line as needed. That would be ok to use on wet or snowy pavement.

But, if you’re “losing your ass” as you said on pavement in the rain, you’re driving too fast or have junk tires. Nobody should need 4x4 to drive in the rain
 
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Only two times I'll leave it in 4wd. 1: Offroad 2: The snow around here, when it dumps tends to get very wet and heavy. I'll leave it in 4wd going through this stuff on all roads cause it tends to push you around or even pull you towards the ditch. Need the front axle pulling where I steer in this case.

Other than that its purely as needed and then back into 2wd. Besides who doesn't like steering a bit with the rear axle? :p
 
driving too fast in the rain is unfortunately the only way to drive down here lol. Too slow and you are gonna get ramed
 
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