When to use automatic 4wd

[froggy47]

02 Sub 7z1 4x4

 

It doesn't rain much in San Diego but this week we're getting a soaking.

 

In the event that you drive thru some standing water (on roads) would it make sense to have the truck in automatic 4wd mode or leave it in 2hi.

 

I'm wondering whether this auto 4wd would react fast enough to prevent a skid/loss of control or whether (when it switched on) it could cause more trouble than help.

 

I think full time 4hi would be overkill as the chance of needing it is small & it would probably wear & tear a bit even with the wet down road surface.

 

Thanks

[RyanbabZ71]

auto 4wd was made for that exact situation.  Rain, light snow.  Just make sure it isnt dry out because that can wear out the 4wd components

 

I always run mine in auto 4wd whenit rains even if it is for a few miles.  Just to get the fluid flowing  

[Shaners]

When in the "auto" mode your 4wd will engage amazingly quick.  

 

It would be great in the rain...  like starting out at a slippery wet oil-soaked intersection etc...

[99silveradoz71]

I've used auto in the rain from stoplights before when trying to fend off those that insist on passing on the right at an intersection that narrows down the block from me.

 

Froggy, planning a trip to SD in late March/early April, good weather?  What's worth seeing?

[WEFs99]

I've used auto in the rain from stoplights before when trying to fend off those that insist on passing on the right at an intersection that narrows down the block from me.

I'm guilty of the same.  Mine stays in A4WD in any suspicious traction situations.

[jhawk]

I live in ND and have my truck in auto 4WD all the time.  Have had it in auto 4WD for a couple of months now.  The system reacts so fast I can't even tell when it engages and disengages.  Up here, we have snow and ice on the ground for months on end.  It rarely gets warm enough for the stuff to melt away.  That, and there is a ton of sand on the roads that make the wheels spin unless the auto 4WD system is on.

The auto 4WD system is actually the prime reason I bought my Silverado.  It works great.

 

Yesterday we had a ground blizzard going with local areas experiencing total white outs.  Like an idiot, I was driving thru it to get some lunch.  I drove straight into a ditch and didn't even know it until I was in the ditch (couldn't see a thing due to blowing snow even though it was in the middle of the day).  My truck was in auto 4WD and pulled me right back onto the road.  I then found myself driving in the oncoming lane for a while!  Finally getting a clue, I decided to stay

indoors until things cleared up.

 

Anyway, use the auto 4WD whenever you want.  It's a great system.

[99silveradoz71]

I've enjoyed the auto the times I've fired it up.  We had some snow this am, but not too much, so I 2 wheeled it to work with no problems.  My truck is a pretty stable platform which is nice for these Cleveland winters.