Can using the 'Auto' 4WD feature too much void the warranty?

Lawnmower2020 · July 10, 2015

+1 for robvas "better tires" suggestion. 4WD is great to be sure, but in the rain you'll be overall better off if you have grippy tires with plenty of tread depth. Browse over to TireRack or similar and look for tires in your size that have high user ratings for wet traction. They're there, you just have to look. You'll be much safer and much happier than you'll be with the rubber that comes from the factory.

And whatever you do, don't rely on the wear bars to determine when to replace tires! That's WAY too little tread for good performance in wet weather. When you consider the consequences, early replacement of tires is cheap insurance. Plus they're quieter and ride better with more tread.

jasch1124 · July 10, 2015

My understanding is....Auto 4X4 is not AWD...use Auto when weather/conditions call for it only, IMO.

I'm definitely not disputing your statement here. To the best of my understanding the 'Auto' function engages the front axle/wheels but with little power (10%) and sort of preps it to kick in when it feels it's needed. An AWD system would be always be on and in most cases always deliver what feels like a 50/50 split power between the front and back.

So my questions was leaving it in 'Auto', again allowing 10% power to the front, during anything less than dry pavement conditions cause premature wear to the point the warranty would be voided?

jasch1124 · July 10, 2015

I'm not saying it will damage anything or void the warranty, but I always come back to the same idea that if it was ok to drive around in 4 auto 24/7, there wouldn't be an option for 2HI and the truck would come from the factory in 4 auto from the start.

4 auto is not a luxury feature where the truck determines when you need 4 wheel drive with a "set it and forget it" mentality. It's meant to give you the drive-ability of a 2WD truck with the benefit of 4wheel drive if you happen to need it when road conditions are known to be questionable and varying. Such as a little bit of snow or ice on the road. If you are in a situation like deep snow or sand or mud, you should be in 4HI, not 4auto. Otherwise, you should be in 2HI at nearly all times.

You also shouldn't need 4 wheel drive to prevent you from hydroplaning in wet road conditions. I've been driving a truck exclusively for the past 11 years and I've only used 2WD in rainy road conditions and never had an issue at all. You should only have to adjust your speed and of course ensure you're tires have some tread life left in them.

My advice is to put the truck back in 2HI and learn how to properly drive on wet roads. I'm not trying to be mean, just stating a fact about driving.

I appreciate the advice and definitely don't take offense. My thought process was as an extra precaution, leave the vehicle in 'Auto' so in the event I slip the vehicle would catch itself to some degree. On a fine day where the pavement is dry I wouldn't leave it in 'Auto'.

So just to be clear, your opinion is by leaving it in 'Auto' in less than ideal conditions will not damage anything or void the warranty, but you feel it's not necessary as long as the truck is driven properly (Unless we're talking about snow/ice like conditions)? Would this be correct?

Spurshot · July 11, 2015

On the rare occasion that it rains around here, I like to run in AUTO on the streets. It's fun to pull out from a stoplight hard and not spin, while all the other traffic is puddy-footing off the line.

jasch1124 · July 11, 2015

On the rare occasion that it rains around here, I like to run in AUTO on the streets. It's fun to pull out from a stoplight hard and not spin, while all the other traffic is ****-footing off the line.

Sounds like you use it in a similar fashion as I was intending to, not exactly in snow or mud but when in anything less than dry conditions. Unfortunately rain is not a rarity where I live.

Silverado-Hareek · July 11, 2015

So just to be clear, your opinion is by leaving it in 'Auto' in less than ideal conditions will not damage anything or void the warranty, but you feel it's not necessary as long as the truck is driven properly (Unless we're talking about snow/ice like conditions)? Would this be correct?

Yeah that's exactly what I'm saying. The only time damage will really occur is when the front driveline is engaged and receiving power and the front and rear drive axles fight against each other because the traction on the tires is too good and the drive axles are spinning at the same speed when in reality they may need varying speed depending on your specific driving conditions. You want the wheels to have the ability to spin freely in place if necessary so the driveline doesn't bind up and can keep working free of resistance. This issue most commonly comes up in sharp turning situations but can be a problem with straight driving too given the right conditions. That's why the manual says not to drive in 4hi for too long on dry pavement.

So yes in theory if you're just in Auto and the front drive axle isn't receiving power, you shouldn't have any damage. My opinion is that I wouldn't use auto in rainy conditions either, especially if you have good tires.

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Jon A · July 11, 2015

On the rare occasion that it rains around here, I like to run in AUTO on the streets. It's fun to pull out from a stoplight hard and not spin, while all the other traffic is puddy-footing off the line.

Yes. While it obviously won't help for hydroplaning, it does help for this. No traction control system in the world can replace sending torque to all four tires, especially on a light in the rear end pickup. If you want to "accelerate like you mean it" on wet roads, this is the way to do it. I don't do it that often, but sometimes when I'm in the right mood or need to get somewhere in a hurry, I'll use it on wet roads.

Back to the OP's question--it won't cause damage, per say, even when used on dry roads. But it will cause some wear and tear--you're using clutches in your transfer case, sending some (even a small amount) of torque through the front driveline and halfshafts, etc, so it will cause some wear. So I wouldn't recommend doing it all the time, especially on dry roads obviously. You're gaining nothing and causing more wear. But if you want to "point and shoot" in the rain, by all means, you paid good money for the system, might as well use it.

One caution, even in the rain--make sure your tires are all evenly worn and inflated to the same level. If one of these are off (or if you have a wheel speed sensor go bad, etc) the system won't work properly and will cause binding which will cause damage. You should never feel binding in Auto mode. If you do, stop using it until it's fixed.

Bvonscott · July 12, 2015

I'm definitely not disputing your statement here. To the best of my understanding the 'Auto' function engages the front axle/wheels but with little power (10%) and sort of preps it to kick in when it feels it's needed. An AWD system would be always be on and in most cases always deliver what feels like a 50/50 split power between the front and back.

So my questions was leaving it in 'Auto', again allowing 10% power to the front, during anything less than dry pavement conditions cause premature wear to the point the warranty would be voided?

That is not how the system works. When in AUTO the Magna 2-speed transfer case is running just like the rear axle and tranny due to the gearing and fluid load. This is to prevent binding when the gears engage into 4WD. When rear wheel slippage is detected or a difference in wheel revolutions occurs, the front transfer case will push into gear the 4HI mode.

I myself do not recommend running the Auto mode unless there is bad road conditions. If the transfer case is running it is wearing. But it will not affect your warranty.

Imcrazy · July 12, 2015

IMO it shouldn't hurt anything to keep it in auto but, I don't think that it's needed for rain unless the roads are flooding very badly. Now that my tires are past their prime I use the auto more often in the rain.