If you have a manual transmission you have the full time 4wheel drive and can drive on pavement. If you have an automatic then you have a part time 4wheel drive system and you shouldn't drive it on pavement in 4wheel drive unless it's wet, snowy, or there is ice on the road unless you are going straight. Basically on the part time system the axles front and rear are tied together through the transfer case and both sides want to turn at the same speed which in a corner is the opposite of what happens as one wheel will turn faster and one will travel farther so this causes binding. On wet or slick surfaces or dirt you get some slippage in the wheels so that it doesn't bind. The full time system is set up different so it doesn't bind and is made to work on all surfaces. Here's are two links. The first one has a decent explanation between the two systems and the second explains all of the different other systems on the FJ.


Four-Wheel-Drive Systems Demystified - MSN Autos

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/foru...ses-traction-aids/6254-making-sense-trac-auto-lsd-atrac-vsc-rear-diff-lock.html

 

G'day and welcome form down under.
Short answer, no do not drive your FJ in 4wd on the Tarmac .
4wd should only be engaged on dirt, or very wet straight Tarmac.
What you experienced is normal when you drive in 4wd on Tarmac, and should be avoided or serious damage will occur. You probably have not caused any damage, just don't do it again.
Cheers
Baz

 

thank you for your info all........i'll check out the links and get informed......cheers

keith

 

Your owners manual has all of this information....seriously.

 

You should do the following things in this order.....

1. Read your owners manual. It'll provide alot of good information on the 4WD system on your FJ and it's just a good idea. I know most people believe they know everything about cars, but there's a manual for a reason, it's there for you to read and know your vehicle.

2. Follow the above mentioned links and learn what you can there.

3. Get your rig offroad and get a feel for what it's like to drive in 4WD. Especially get out and get your rig in 4Lo and with Atrac and the Rear Diff engaged.

4. Keep coming back to these forums. You'll never stop learning about your rig.