Have you ever wondered what your vehicle’s 4-wheel drive drivetrain can do? Are you worried about damaging it and the rest of your car or truck by using it incorrectly? Here are tips on when to use 4-wheel drive capability effectively and safely.
When Is It Best To Use 4-Wheel Drive?
The 4-wheel drive drivetrain delivers power to all four of the vehicle’s wheels. Most types have two settings: High-range 4WD (also called 4WD high) and low-range 4WD (4WD low).
Here’s how you can properly use the different settings of your 4-wheel drive vehicle:
When To Use 4WD High
Also called high-range 4-wheel drive, the 4WD high setting performs best on loose or slippery ground surfaces. It’s recommended to engage it when driving on dirt roads and paved roads covered by water, snow, or ice.
Compared to its low-range counterpart, high-range 4-wheel drive spins the wheels faster, making it possible to drive at higher speeds. It sacrifices some traction to achieve a faster pace.
The high-range four-wheel drive setting engages the front axle. In this mode, the transfer case transmits power to the front and rear axles and the wheels connected to both ends of each axle. The two axles spin at identical speeds.
No matter how uniform their design, the front and rear axles have minor variances in tire size and differences in track length. They might work against each other when their tires cross high-friction surfaces. The tires might slip to the ground in a phenomenon called crow hop.
Many transfer cases enable on-the-fly shifting between the high-range settings of 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive. You don’t have to stop your vehicle before you can safely shift from 2WD high to 4WD high or vice versa.
Trucks with a manual transfer case have an indicator light in the instrument gauge cluster. When you shift to high-range 4-wheel drive mode, the indicator turns on.
Electronic transfer cases put their indicator light on the selector knob. Shifting to high-range 4-wheel drive will make the light blink. Once the transfer case completely engages 4WD high mode, the indicator will glow steadily.
When To Use 4WD Low
Low-range 4-wheel drive is for ground surfaces that require maximum traction, such as deep sand and mud. It turns the wheels more slowly, ensuring the tires get better traction on bad ground surfaces. Additionally, it can provide engine braking to help the braking system handle steep grades. In exchange for this off-road performance, the vehicle has a lower top speed in 4WD low mode.
The 4WD low setting excels at applying as much traction as possible. It can extract your vehicle from situations that leave other cars and trucks stranded or stuck. Combined with other factors like ride clearance, low-range 4-wheel drive mode can drive your vehicle through bodies of water, mud, and sand. It might even get your Jeep or truck over objects that aren’t too high or steep.
Two-speed transfer cases might also include a low-range 4-wheel drive mode.
When you engage low-range 4-wheel drive, resist the urge to step on the gas pedal. Instead, get used to going slow and steady. Furthermore, 4WD low mode is almost exclusively for driving off-road. Avoid exceeding 45 miles per hour when driving with low-range 4-wheel drive engaged.
Shifting into low-range four-wheel drive is somewhat complicated. First, you must shift the transmission into neutral, disconnecting torque and freeing up the transfer case to shift gears. Wait until the transfer case completely engages 4WD low mode before shifting the transmission to drive.
Follow the above procedure when you shift from low-range 4-wheel drive to high-range mode.
When Should You Avoid Using 4-Wheel Drive?
While the 4-wheel drive mode handles off-roading with aplomb, it does terribly on any road surface with good traction. Avoid shifting into that mode when you’re driving anywhere that’s dry, flat, and smooth.
Driving on high-traction road surfaces with 4WD drive engaged puts more strain on drivetrain parts. These parts might wear out or fail faster, leading to costly repairs.
Specifically, using 4WD in the wrong way can damage the front axles, differential gears, and differential case. In particular, the differential provides power to the wheels, enabling the latter and its tires to rotate at different speeds. Damaging it because you engaged the 4-wheel drive at the wrong time can lead to major issues.
Furthermore, 4WD burns more fuel to produce more torque. If you shift into low-range 4-wheel drive when it’s not needed, you’ll waste gas while also stressing the drivetrain.
When driving with low-range 4-wheel drive engaged, keep an eye on the state of the road. Shift out of 4WD when your vehicle’s wheels roll across a road surface that provides plenty of traction.
More Tips on How and When To Use 4-Wheel Drive
Here are more tips to help you safely get the most out of your vehicle’s 4-wheel drive:
Use 4-Wheel Drive Every Few Months
Similar to how muscles atrophy from lack of exercise, the 4-wheel drive system wastes away if you don’t use it for long periods. It can develop issues like dried-out seals that leak fluid.
Try to engage the 4WD system at least once every few months. Look for suitable road surfaces that require the low-range 4-wheel drive mode’s high torque.
Don’t Use 4-Wheel Drive As Brakes
While 4-wheel drive provides some engine braking, it only works in the specific scenario of handling steep grades. It won’t improve braking or stability when you make a turn.
Follow The Manufacturer’s Instructions On Proper 4WD Use
The owner’s manual contains critical information about your vehicle, including the manufacturer-recommended methods on how to engage and disengage the 4WD. Always read your manual to know what to do.
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Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
