Driving in 4wd

oldmann · December 9, 2013

Why would it engage at 70? If you're driving 70 on ice you need to rethink your life. Turning tight in 4wd won't hurt anything. The front diff is an open diff.

I have a similar system in my 2006 and haven't had any mechanical troubles yet.

The fastest I have used auto 4x4 is 55, like I said I wouldn't be driving faster than that in sketchy conditions anyways. But I know people who have left it in on accident for a few weeks and haven't had any issues. It's a great system IMO. I don't need it often but when I do it's great.

If you turn on dry pavement in 4WD you will wreck something eventually. OP, you are fine leaving your truck in 4wd Auto. The speed will not hurt it at all. Auto 4wd works by engaging clutches in the transfer case. When it detects slip it engages the clutches and releases them when there is no slip. BTW, in the GMT900 the auto 4wd works very seamlessly.

bearman95 · December 9, 2013

I live in North Texas and have been using the 4 wheel auto for the last several days. Nothing but solid ice around here. The truck works great with the 20 inch Goodyear SR A tires. Never slipped once.

JCthebigTree · December 9, 2013

Auto 4wd can be driven at normal speeds. But if you are hoping its going to save your butt while driving 70 mph on the highway think again.

Fondupot, I don't know where you live or what kind of winter driving experience you have...this is my 19th winter driving since being licensed, so that puts me somewhere in the range of 22 winters with driving experience...most in very harsh northern conditions with lots of snow and lots of ice. I completely disagree with you.

I've had Auto 4 in different vehicles for 10 years now and there have been many time where I'm at speed, I get onto some ice pack and the rear end breaks free a bit...when the auto kicks in you straighten up pretty quick if the rear breaks at all, without it you better know how to handle a vehicle (most hit the brakes and end up in the ditch.)

I almost trust the Auto enough to go in cruise in questionable conditions, though using cruise control in questionable conditions is as stupid as it gets.

The truck works great with the 20 inch Goodyear SR A tires. Never slipped once.

After this weekend, I'm convinced these really are terrible tires.

Slid a lot in some greasy snow/ice. I don't have any weight in back yet, so expected the back end to break free a bit but not as much as it did.

Really convinced me to get new ones on sooner than later.

nrbrandt · December 9, 2013

The manual says you can shift into 4WD HI at any speed up to 75MPH so I imagine it is okay to drive it up to that speed as well. If you are on dry pavement though I'm guessing you'll wear things out faster than normal.

bearman95 · December 9, 2013

Fondupot, I don't know where you live or what kind of winter driving experience you have...this is my 19th winter driving since being licensed, so that puts me somewhere in the range of 22 winters with driving experience...most in very harsh northern conditions with lots of snow and lots of ice. I completely disagree with you.

I've had Auto 4 in different vehicles for 10 years now and there have been many time where I'm at speed, I get onto some ice pack and the rear end breaks free a bit...when the auto kicks in you straighten up pretty quick if the rear breaks at all, without it you better know how to handle a vehicle (most hit the brakes and end up in the ditch.)

I almost trust the Auto enough to go in cruise in questionable conditions, though using cruise control in questionable conditions is as stupid as it gets.

After this weekend, I'm convinced these really are terrible tires.

Slid a lot in some greasy snow/ice. I don't have any weight in back yet, so expected the back end to break free a bit but not as much as it did.

Really convinced me to get new ones on sooner than later.

All I can say to this is that the 20 inch SR A worked great for me in solid ice, no slipping at all with 4x4 in auto. Guess you have to do whats best for you. Good luck.

CRTrucks · December 9, 2013

I had good luck with my 20" SR-A tires as well on slush and ice yesterday. Hardly slipped around at all.

dagwood2001 · December 9, 2013

I had good luck with my 20" SR-A tires as well on slush and ice yesterday. Hardly slipped around at all.

ditto. we had 6-8 inches of snow, popped it into 4W auto and had zero problems. And I was pretty worried but apparently Goodyear has made some improvements in these tires for 2014. Or so I hear.....

JCthebigTree · December 9, 2013

Last week we got 30" of wet heavy snow and I had no problem getting around in Auto 4.

Being stuck without 4 wheel at the moment, the back end seems real loose (looser than I'd expect with a pickup) on the icy stuff, especially when covered with greasy snow. The biggest thing is that I'm locking up when stopping quite a bit, but with other things not working (4 wheel) its making me think that maybe the ABS isn't working well and I need to be a little more 'manual' with the braking.

Are you guys in Double cabs or Crew? Weight in back?

Crew, I assume, would have more weight in back than my Double w/ standard bed. I'm going to throw 3-4 sand tubes in tonight, I expect that to help a bit.

roadblock · December 9, 2013

I love the AUTO system! Crazy snow drifts here this past week, no problems at all. I even cruised right by a Jeep Wrangler that was stuck!

I have to say the Goodyear SRA's do suck for ice/snow though, I think the 4wd makes up for it for sure.

oldmann · December 10, 2013

Last week we got 30" of wet heavy snow and I had no problem getting around in Auto 4.

Being stuck without 4 wheel at the moment, the back end seems real loose (looser than I'd expect with a pickup) on the icy stuff, especially when covered with greasy snow. The biggest thing is that I'm locking up when stopping quite a bit, but with other things not working (4 wheel) its making me think that maybe the ABS isn't working well and I need to be a little more 'manual' with the braking.

Are you guys in Double cabs or Crew? Weight in back?

Crew, I assume, would have more weight in back than my Double w/ standard bed. I'm going to throw 3-4 sand tubes in tonight, I expect that to help a bit.

Pretty sure if you got 30" of wet snow you ain't movin'.

redwngr · December 10, 2013

Just don't forget that they don't stop any quicker when in 4wd or auto 4wd.

CRTrucks · December 10, 2013

Last week we got 30" of wet heavy snow and I had no problem getting around in Auto 4.

Being stuck without 4 wheel at the moment, the back end seems real loose (looser than I'd expect with a pickup) on the icy stuff, especially when covered with greasy snow. The biggest thing is that I'm locking up when stopping quite a bit, but with other things not working (4 wheel) its making me think that maybe the ABS isn't working well and I need to be a little more 'manual' with the braking.

Are you guys in Double cabs or Crew? Weight in back?

Crew, I assume, would have more weight in back than my Double w/ standard bed. I'm going to throw 3-4 sand tubes in tonight, I expect that to help a bit.

I'm driving a crewcab standard bed with 4wd. Solid as a rock in the precipitation so far....

ms55330 · December 10, 2013

Last week we got 30" of wet heavy snow and I had no problem getting around in Auto 4.

Being stuck without 4 wheel at the moment, the back end seems real loose (looser than I'd expect with a pickup) on the icy stuff, especially when covered with greasy snow. The biggest thing is that I'm locking up when stopping quite a bit, but with other things not working (4 wheel) its making me think that maybe the ABS isn't working well and I need to be a little more 'manual' with the braking.

Are you guys in Double cabs or Crew? Weight in back?

Crew, I assume, would have more weight in back than my Double w/ standard bed. I'm going to throw 3-4 sand tubes in tonight, I expect that to help a bit.

you'll be supprised how much the traction improves with a few sand bags in the bed. I'm up in MN and ND and hardly ever use AUTO or 4WD on my 04' with BFG AT T/A tires, I don't have as much hope for the Goodyears on my new truck. I'm not so conserend with dammaging my drivetrain as I just don't feel it necessary unless there is a few inches of snow on the road

Cap'n Pete · December 10, 2013

If you turn on dry pavement in 4WD you will wreck something eventually. OP, you are fine leaving your truck in 4wd Auto. The speed will not hurt it at all. Auto 4wd works by engaging clutches in the transfer case. When it detects slip it engages the clutches and releases them when there is no slip. BTW, in the GMT900 the auto 4wd works very seamlessly.

Bingo!

The front diff engages whether in Auto or 4-Hi (or 4-Lo of course) but the clutch inside the transfer case is the determining factor between Auto and 4WD. In Auto, it engages as necessary. In 4WD (Hi or Lo) it's fully engaged, 100% of the time.

I've driven around in previous trucks with Auto at speeds up to ~80 MPH with no issues whatsoever. I usually don't select 4WD (Auto or Hi) unless I'm going relatively slow, but once it's in, then full speed ahead!

Auto is really a GREAT system for average "street driving" on messy roads. Obviously, NO, it doesn't help you stop any faster. But it DOES help keep you in control (while driving/turning). LOVE the system for driving on our Canadian winter roads .

mzodarg · December 10, 2013

Since last Friday, the roads here in SW Oklahoma were a solid sheet of ice. I had zero issue's getting out and about. Truck performed flawlessly in auto and I love the Bridgestone dullers.

Mike