Manual Transmission Question

JackfromMD · 12-02-2009, 07:47 PM

I have been driving a stick for years. However, I have never driven a 4 wheel drive vehicle with a std transmission. Can you provide some pointers?

gotink · 12-02-2009, 08:05 PM

push in clutch, give a little gas, let out clutch,and avoid big a*s rocks simple as that .can you rephrase ? a little more for what you need answered

welcome to the forum

Fjamin · 12-02-2009, 08:18 PM

You will find it to have a little more slop than 2wd but not bad at all, also its pretty forgiving, hard to stall, I have started without giving it gas. It doesn't like to go into first above .5 mph

Disclaimer: Only other standard I've driven was an Audi TT

**toytaco** · 12-02-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Fjamin previously said:

.......It doesn't like to go into first above .5 mph...

I noticed that on mines too!

lgrt · 12-02-2009, 08:32 PM

on the road... nothing is different the MT is all time 4WD with limited slip and you will find plenty of traction on wet or snowy roads without having to shift into 4hi

on 4x4 trails...
on rocks you will like the "Clutch Override" button... it is handy to keep in mind.

Depending on what terrain you wheel you can expect to stall out more than you thought possible. Going slow on rocks means keeping the engine slow and you may find you misjudge when you need to give it a "little" more gas to avoid killing the engine. This will come to you with practice.

The other thing to realize on the MT transmission is that in 4lo you will often start out in second. This will allow you to get a bit more speed when you're at the bottom of a hill without loosing any speed having to up-shift.

here is a link to some good basic off road 4x4 driving reading.

you have a great rig I hope you get an opportunity to enjoy it.

bandi · 12-02-2009, 10:27 PM

OK, do not feather/ride the clutch to excelerate from
a light or stop position, instead, feather it to just get
rolling, then let the engines power excelerate you...

many people over the last 3 1/2 years have reporter
burned clutches due to driving it like a normal standard...
the fj has has plenty of power to excelerate you so
the feathering/riding the clutch is not needed at all...

the reason for the difference is the 4wd which puts a
lot more drag on the hole system, and it takes a bit
more power to turn the drivetrain, so again, let the
engine do the work....

imho anyway...

JackfromMD · 12-03-2009, 04:44 AM

Thanks for the great feedback everyone. Can you further explain when to use the 4hi vs 4Lo? It sounds like for daily driving 4 lo is the place to be. However, while climbing hills off road or in snow 4 hi is good?

**BlackCherryota** · 12-03-2009, 07:37 AM

Other way around man. Driving around in 4-LO, you'll top out at about 35MPH.

bandi · 12-03-2009, 08:00 AM

The manual is in "H"(all time 4wd with a torsen
center differential) at all time while driving,
which gives a power split of 60/40(i believe) to
the rear/front wheels, giving great traction
during rain and snow and such...

When you go off road, you can still drive in "H",
but be aware that the vehicle stability control
(vsc) and the anti-lock brake system (abs) will
still be active and will control your gas and
brake when the wheels slip and slide and can
be unsafe in conditions other than flat trails...

Most times when off road, you will shift into "HL"
(4wd hi locked center differential), this being for
deep sand, rough trails, small mud puddles and
such...

When the trail is more difficult, and you need or
may need more power, then you shift into "LL"
(4WD low locked center differential), this is for
crawling over rocks real slow, for having more
power to go thru deep mud and water, and for
climbing steep grades...

Again, never substitute feathering the clutch
for power, as this will burn you clutch, the FJ
contains more than enough HP for almost all
situations, so let the engine and your right
foot do the work...

^^^ this is just some basics'...

Also, never run in "4wd locked"(4H or 4L) on
pavement or any other solid traction surface,
especially when turning, as the locked center
differential will not allow the front and rear
wheels to turn at different speeds, causing
binding in the drive-train and possibly braking
multiple components as in axles, differentials,
drive-shafts, transfer case, etc...

You can however run in on snow packed
pavement and such, since the wheels can
slide on the snow at different speeds when
needed, but as always, be careful when
making sharp turns as stated above, the
wheels will slip... use common sense and
care when driving is all !...

Also, once every other month (if you are on
a dirt road, or if you are out in heavy rain and
driving straight, as in on a highway doing no
more then 55mph) slide the shifter into HL for
2-3 miles(user manual list 10), and then slide
it back to "H" as this keeps all the parts lubed
and working smoothly, otherwise, when you
need 4wd, it may not engage due to internal
transfer case parts sticking in their position...

(the above statements are of my own opinion
and such)...

**DEWFPO** · 12-03-2009, 10:47 AM

Quote:

bandi previously said:

Also, once every other month (if you are on
a dirt road, or if you are out in heavy rain and
driving straight, as in on a highway doing no
more then 55mph) slide the shifter into HL for
2-3 miles(user manual list 10), and then slide
it back to "H" as this keeps all the parts lubed
and working smoothly, otherwise, when you
need 4wd, it may not engage due to internal
transfer case parts sticking in their position...

(the above statements are of my own opinion
and such)...

I have a 5AT but I thought the above was unnecessary with the 6MT since everything is spinning all the time. ?

DEWFPO