Driving in 4x4 auto?

[dodgehemi0]

Does anyone do this all the time? I noticed the truck is a little quicker to respond to the throttle. Anyone else notice this or do this?

 

 

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[MNDaveC]

No, I put mine to 2wd only , but I'll probably use auto in the winter.

 

My old explorer had auto and it was like having AWD and worked great.

 

 

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['01LS1]

I would NOT drive around like that unless it was for mandatory traction to stay on the road with ice/snow.

Would think(not a mechanic) that it would add stress to the transfer case vs 2wd in addition to additional wear on the tires when turning on dry pavement.

[dodgehemi0]

It's auto only goes into 4x4 when the truck thinks you need it. It turns just like it did in 2wd. No binding it should not be in 4x4 going down the road.

 

 

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[Silverado-Hareek]

NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER DRIVE IN 4 Auto all the time unless you are on loose terrain that may require 4 wheel drive!!!!

 

4 Auto is not a luxury feature that lets the truck determine when you need 4 wheel drive. 4 Auto engages the front drive shaft but does not send power to the front wheels unless the truck senses slippage. The luxuriousness of this feature exists here where it allows the truck to only send power to the front wheels when needed for traction but you are still only supposed to use it in 4 wheel drive conditions. You can actually mess up your transfer case and front differential driving on hard pavement in 4 auto all the time. You should be in 2 wheel drive at all times unless conditions call for 4 wheel drive. When conditions do call for 4 wheel drive, then you need to determine if you need 4Hi for constant 4 wheel drive or if 4 auto is sufficient. I use 4 auto when there's say maybe an inch or 2 of snow on the roads. Otherwise if it's deep snow or sand I'm in either 4Hi or 4Lo. Otherwise you should be in 2 wheel drive for daily commuting and driving on hard pavement.

[gmissed]

^Agree with this.

[Luster]

NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER DRIVE IN 4 Auto all the time unless you are on loose terrain that may require 4 wheel drive!!!!

 

4 Auto is not a luxury feature that lets the truck determine when you need 4 wheel drive. 4 Auto engages the front drive shaft but does not send power to the front wheels unless the truck senses slippage. The luxuriousness of this feature exists here where it allows the truck to only send power to the front wheels when needed for traction but you are still only supposed to use it in 4 wheel drive conditions. You can actually mess up your transfer case and front differential driving on hard pavement in 4 auto all the time. You should be in 2 wheel drive at all times unless conditions call for 4 wheel drive. When conditions do call for 4 wheel drive, then you need to determine if you need 4Hi for constant 4 wheel drive or if 4 auto is sufficient. I use 4 auto when there's say maybe an inch or 2 of snow on the roads. Otherwise if it's deep snow or sand I'm in either 4Hi or 4Lo. Otherwise you should be in 2 wheel drive for daily commuting and driving on hard pavement.

 

Yup.... 100% agree. Only use AUTO/4WD as needed. 2WD for all other purposes.

[Newm]

Just a question...what is the difference between running 4Auto in my 14' and the previous generations Denali's that were full time 4WD with no option to run 2WD?

[KARNUT]

When I had my 04 Z71 it said in the book it was ok but not recommended, it would lower gas mileage because you be engaging the transfer case. So yes you can but its not needed when its dry.

[thetruck454]

I was under the impression that 4auto locks the front axle, but leaves the tcase in 2wheel. There is a clutch in the tcase that can engage in an instant if the wheel speed sensors detect slip. This saves the delay required to engage the front axle. If the system works as it does on the gmt800 trucks, there is zero "damage" from running around like this. You are spinning the front drive terrain up through the driveshaft so you could say you are placing more wear and tear, but thats it. Now driving in 4hi is a different story.

 

I might add that on the gmt800 trucks the awd like mine and auto 4x4 trucks front axle share most of the same parts aside from the axle disconnect. So they are designed to run all the time, it just lowers fuel mileage. People that want awd just swap my awd tcase and lock the front hubs and drive w/o problems. Its the when the tcase is locked in 4x4 that cause all your issues.

 

People that are saying its bad what are your facts or reasons? I have no problem being corrected, but "I think" isn't enough for me without factual data or mechanical design/reasoning. Again not meaning to be a dick, I just want to know if I'm missing anything.

[chuckwi11]

While I agree with not running in Auto all the time you should still exercise the system monthly according to my GM Service manager. He recommended a few miles in auto with a little off road in 4H/4L time to keep things lubricated.

[fondupot]

Quoting myself from another thread.

 

 

 

Only use 2HI in dry conditions. Some people will tell you that its OK to run around in auto all the time, but it's not good at all.

 

I only use AUTO for scenarios where I think ill need extra traction on a take off, or a turn in wet, damp, snowy conditions. Having it in AUTO while cruising around in dry conditions does not help anything as far as traction, it can only hinder gas mileage and add excessive wear to the transfer case and front driveline.

 

the AUTO system is NOT the same as a full time All wheel drive system like the previous gen Escalades, Yukon/Sierra Denali's, Subarus, Audi's etc. It is a PART TIME 4 wheel drive. That doesn't mean its OK to run around in it all day long. Use it the same you would 4HI. At lower speeds and for shorter time periods.

 

Its perfectly fine to flip into AUTO at a stop sign, use it to get extra traction on take off, then flip it back into 2HI while going the speed limit. That is how it was designed, to be flipped on/off on the fly.

 

If this is something you already know, then sorry for repeating it. But hopefully someone who didn't know this info, now does.

 

Good luck!

[fondupot]

Just a question...what is the difference between running 4Auto in my 14' and the previous generations Denali's that were full time 4WD with no option to run 2WD?

 

That is a different 4 wheel drive system all together. that was a true AWD. Whereas AUTO 4 in our trucks is a PART TIME 4wd system. Big difference.

[Newm]

 

That is a different 4 wheel drive system all together. that was a true AWD. Whereas AUTO 4 in our trucks is a PART TIME 4wd system. Big difference.

 

Good to know. I figured something had to be different with the information given on here. Completely different transfer cases I assume?

[fondupot]

 

Good to know. I figured something had to be different with the information given on here. Completely different transfer cases I assume?

 

Yes different transfer case and probably a different or modified front Differential.