ok,
I'm sure this is normal, I'm just paranoid and would kind of like to know why. This morning we have had a little snow and I drove the FJ for a bit in 4H. When I dropped off my son I turned into the parking lot and pulling into the space it felt like my emergency brake was on. I can only assume that this was some wheel binding occuring for some reason. Is the differential locked on the FJ in 4H ? When I backed out and any time I turned sharply it felt the same. By this time the roads were clear and I just put it back in 2H.
Anybody experts out there care to tell me why ? Seems like the 6MT guys would be eating tires up. I won't drive it in 4H much, so tire wear probably won't be a factor. It just felt unusually stiff. Just like the brake was on. Going straight was fine.
Sounds like the snow wasn't deep or slippery enough to need to be in 4H. Whenever you turn, rear wheels travel a shorter distance than the front wheels. Hence the rear wheels tend to push the front end until either the front or back slips a bit. This is why it feels like you are pushing a snow plow.
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The center diff is locked in 4H in AT models; only for use on slippery surfaces. The 6MT models have a Torsen center diff to allow full-time 4wd; 6MT models also have a transfer case position for 4H with the center diff locked.
I agree with the above statements. I will add the following.
ONLY use 4H or 4L when on dirt or snow or a surface where the wheels can slip.
NEVER use 4H or 4L on dry pavement. This can cause severe damage to your truck. The reason is, with the 5AT, the transfer case is locked. If you turn or do anything the front wheels will travel at a different speed than the rears. This can cause things to bind up and if it gets bad enough you could even break an axle.
From your description it sound to me like the drive train was binding. If you actually were able to put it back into 2H you should be OK.
again NEVER use 4wd on dry pavement even for only a few feet.
Disclaimer. The 6mt with the torsen transfer case is a completely different story.
Well thanks for the quickly responses. Makes sense. However I have one further question. The manual says you should drive it for like 10 miles each month in 4H to keep everything lubed up or whatever. I know it says to never use 4L on pavement, but wouldnt 4H be a different story from the way the manual sounds ?
ONLY use 4H or 4L when on dirt or snow or a surface where the wheels can slip.
NEVER use 4H or 4L on dry pavement. This can cause severe damage to your truck.
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again NEVER use 4wd on dry pavement even for only a few feet.
Disclaimer. The 6mt with the torsen transfer case is a completely different story.
Cheers.
Marc
I am not arguing the advice given here but did want to point out that the owners manual states you should drive 10 miles a month in 4H to keep the components properly lubricated. I take from this then, that driving in 4H for a few miles a month should be done on long straight stretches, like interstate driving, (but not over 55 mph more or less).
I am not arguing the advice given here but did want to point out that the owners manual states you should drive 10 miles a month in 4H to keep the components properly lubricated. I take from this then, that driving in 4H for a few miles a month should be done on long straight stretches, like interstate driving, (but not over 55 mph more or less).
Is that the consensus?
Roll
You should drive in 4 wheel drive at least 10 miles per month to keep everything lubricated and in good working condition. BUT these 10 miles should NOT be on dry pavement. You will just have to find a dirt road or something to do these miles on. So there.
I repeat again with the 5AT do not drive EVER on dry pavement in 4wd.
Will it destroy thing? Maybe not but why take the chance. I do know it does it no good.
It will not hurt anything to slip it into 4wd if you do not turn. To lubricate is easily done when driving in a straight line, We have a lot of snow and ice here and I bought the 6mt so it would have the all wheel drive.Had a 05 Tacoma and had to use 4wd alot because of the ice and the fact they are very light but was constantly changing back to 2wd in tight spots. Had a 92
4x4 and had no issues and it was in 4wd alot, they change in and out so easy that lubrication is not an issue, just slip it in quickly when driving straight
On finding dirt roads, I discovered that if I tune my GPS to use back roads only and most direct route, I've found half a dozen dirt roads I had no idea existed. That makes me very happy, super short cuts, and FUN short cuts.
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