Using Auto Mode In Town

camaroguy94 · January 10, 2011

The local dealership service guy told me never to use Auto(4x4) in town that it will mess things up.

I just said ok and turned it back on. I think the guy is full of BS. Am I wrong?

January 10, 2011

Why didn't you ask him to explaing it to you since he's so smart and goes around telling people that ?

The local dealership service guy told me never to use Auto(4x4) in town that it will mess things up.
I just said ok and turned it back on. I think the guy is full of BS. Am I wrong?

[email protected] · January 10, 2011

Most people on here do it and have no problems, that's what it's for anyway. Some people don't have it and even use 4hi in the snow all the time.

Sir Dan · January 10, 2011

Next time you're at the dealer with a question, push on past the "service writers" in the receiving bay and talk directly to the guys in back. It's been my experience that the guys at the computers know more about their computers than they do the vehicle your bringing in for service or repairs.

Nothing in the owner's manual about the transfer case says Auto mode can't be used in town. It works much better in tighter turns than 4Hi anyways.

old-chevy-dude · January 10, 2011

Auto 4 in the city is fine, I only use it in Rain and Snow, and leave it in 2WD otherwise because I have noticed as much a 2mpg difference using it.. but having it in Auto 4 is not going to hurt anything.. Auto 4 is like a simplistic AWD system to assist you in slick and slippery road conditions without having the 4hi always engaged, the Auto 4 only engages if the computer senses wheel slip.

my owners manual doesn't say anything about AUTO not being used in town.

here is what is says specifically:

AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive) : This setting is

ideal for use when road surface traction conditions are

variable. When driving your vehicle in AUTO, the front

axle is engaged, but the vehicle's power is primarily

sent to the rear wheels. When the vehicle's software

determines a need for more traction, the system will

transfer more power to the front wheels. Driving in this

mode results in slightly lower fuel economy than

Two-Wheel Drive High.

the specific DO NOT USE statement is with regards to 4hi and 4lo:

Notice: Driving on clean, dry pavement in

Four-Wheel-Drive High or Four-Wheel-Drive Low for

an extended period of time may cause premature

wear on your vehicle's powertrain. Do not drive on

clean, dry pavement in Four-Wheel-Drive High or

Four-Wheel-Drive Low for extended periods of time.

music · January 10, 2011

Auto-4wd is just that... "automatic". The only "harm" will be a decrease in mpg (about 1 mpg).

tanked_darren · January 10, 2011

+1 on the service department guys not knowing shit.

terzmo · January 10, 2011

I use auto when the roads are snow covered and I like it better than 4H....Mileage goes down...on mine well over 2mpg...close to 3

Diesail · January 10, 2011

hmmm, thought they called it "Auto" for a reason

poncharello · January 11, 2011

Is there a maximum speed you should stay below in 4hi when driving in snow. Besides the safety factor of course. I was just wondering if higher speeds in 4hi can be detrimental. We got some snow down here in the south, and my 4wd driving is usually hunting related and for short periods of time.

[email protected] · January 11, 2011

The main thing to worry about in 4hi is turning sharply, not speed so much.

j13smiley · January 11, 2011

Would this be like leaving manual hubs in the locked position but not shifting into 4 wheel drive - that puts extra wear on the cv joints...?

[email protected] · January 11, 2011

Yep, you're really close.

Mckenzie · January 11, 2011

Used auto 4wd on my truck today and it did really good on the slippery roads.

Diesail · January 11, 2011

The problem with 4-hi (or 4-low for that matter) is the lack of a center differential. Thus when making a turn the front tires are forced to spin at the same rate as the rear (or travel the same distance). If you can picture a turn you know that tire rear tires do not follow the same path as the front and thus do not travel the same distance. On a good traction surface this causes binding and in extreme cases can lead to actually breaking something.

4-auto on the other hand adds a center differential the equation. This allows the front and rear to turn at different rates and can be used on any surface, wet, dry, slippery or not.

As to speed, it does not play into this equation.