Auto 4 Wheel Drive. When to use?

[LeeDowney]

I've searched my manual as well as this forum and still can't find a clear answer. I've had several 4WD vehicles over the years but never one with Auto 4WD. I know normal everyday driving is in 2 WD. Snow, mud or slippery conditions you use 4WD High. If you're stuck or pulling a heavy boat out of the water you would use 4WD Low. My question is, what environment would you use the 4WD Automatic knob selection?

 

I was in Boone this past weekend with about 4 inches of snow on the roads. I decided to see what the Auto selection would do so I put the knob on Auto. After feeling the back tires spinning in the snow going up a hill, I stopped and put it in 4WD High and immediately gained traction. Common sense would tell me the Auto selection would automatically engage 4WD if needed. It didn't. So my question is, what the Auto function used for?

 

Thanks.

 

[mike-z71]

What it does is lock the front end in but doesn't apply power to the front until you slip. The auto should have put power to the front wheels as soon as your rear wheels were spinning. It takes a second to kick in, so when you let off the gas it might not have kicked in. Test it again, but might not be functioning properly.

[kstruckcountry]

Best time for Auto is icy roads. If it isn't kicking in, you have a problem.

[LeeDowney]

What it does is lock the front end in but doesn't apply power to the front until you slip. The auto should have put power to the front wheels as soon as your rear wheels were spinning. It takes a second to kick in, so when you let off the gas it might not have kicked in. Test it again, but might not be functioning properly.

 

Thanks. We are expecting light snow tomorrow night. I'll try it again. You might be right, maybe I didn't give it enough time to engage.

Best time for Auto is icy roads. If it isn't kicking in, you have a problem.

 

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind next time we have some ice. I'll make sure it working properly.

[VMaxtastic]

Its pretty much all I use, unless I'm really in a pickle

[bladz1454]

Its pretty much all I use, unless I'm really in a pickle

+1, my 4wAuto kicks ass in any snow. Only time I've used 4x4 was to move around in 9 inches of powder two weeks ago and even then I could have stayed in 4wAuto

[LeeDowney]

Its pretty much all I use, unless I'm really in a pickle

 

Do you mean, you leave it in Auto full time? Summer and Winter? Does it effect MPG in anyway while 4WD is not engaged?

[VMaxtastic]

 

Do you mean, you leave it in Auto full time? Summer and Winter? Does it effect MPG in anyway while 4WD is not engaged?

Noooooo.

 

I just put it in auto when I need 4wd in general... If I need it on the highway I definitely use auto. City too... Then you can crank your wheel all the way without skipping. Only time I use 4x4 is in mud. To be honest I don't really pay much attention to mileage... So many things affect it out here.. particularly the wind. Auto would certainly use less fuel than 4x4.. But you shouldn't use 4x4 on the highway anyway. Use Auto.

 

I really love the Auto feature.

[Z45]

fyi

 

 

AUTOMATIC TRANSFER CASES

 

Automatic transfer cases will have the characteristics of both the Part-Time 4WD and the AWD systems depending on the mode selected. If the transfer case is operated in 4HI or 4LO, it will behave as a Part-Time 4WD system. If it is operated in the Auto 4WD mode, it will behave like an on-demand AWD system.

[rjgvt]

4WD Low is not normally needed to pull a boat out of the water and up the ramp. I use Auto 4WD for that.

 

Auto 4WD: I use when the roads are somewhat snowy or the town I live in refuses to clean my street after a snow storm. Also use to pull my boat up the ramp if it's slippery. I use this mode the most.

 

4WD: Roads are snow and/or ice covered and should stay home at times, but I have to go to work or go hunting!. Never missed a day of work (or hunting) for weather reasons in 25 years in Vermont. Also use on field roads and mud season on back roads.

 

4WD Low: Have rarely ever used.

[fondupot]

I use the Auto in moderate/heavy rain and light snow. Should kick in when the rear wheels slip.

[Imcrazy]

I use it in really heavy rain and if there is snow on the road. I feel like it works better in the snow than 4x4 high. This is my first 4x4 all my other vehicles have been front wheel drive, I do have some experience with rear wheel drive from my Dads big mercurys and fords and I can say that more important than the 4 wheel drive is the traction control IMO.

[MikeNH]

I use it in really heavy rain and if there is snow on the road. I feel like it works better in the snow than 4x4 high. This is my first 4x4 all my other vehicles have been front wheel drive, I do have some experience with rear wheel drive from my Dads big mercurys and fords and I can say that more important than the 4 wheel drive is the traction control IMO.

 

I turn off traction control when I'm driving around town. All it does it cut power when it detects wheel spin which is lousy in stop and go type driving. On the highway I don't mind it, seemed to work good last week when the roads were all icy.

[Cmillerjr]

We got hit pretty good last week. Some of the roads were clear some were horrible. I put it in auto and in my 35 mile commute to work I had no issues. Kicked in and out like it was suppose to. I did notice a drop in MPG, but expected since the front dif is engaged just not locked in all the time.

[VMaxtastic]

I turn off traction control when I'm driving around town. All it does it cut power when it detects wheel spin which is lousy in stop and go type driving. On the highway I don't mind it, seemed to work good last week when the roads were all icy.

That drives me NUTS! The amount of time traction control and stabilitrak has almost gotten me T-Boned because it complete kills my forward movement when turning at a light. The only time I actually have it on is on the highway.

 

Even when I turn it off in the city, in the winter, its still hitting my bloody front brakes constantly when I'm trying to turn, and slide a bit. Makes driving more dangerous half the time.