My first 4x4 please help

Truck916 · October 18, 2016

So it was raining pretty badly a few days ago so I turned on 4wd high. I noticed at slow turns it would make a whiny sound. Like you could hear the 4x4 working. Is that normal?

Silvern Sentry · October 18, 2016

yes. Auto would have been fine to use.

2wd for regular roads.

Auto for weather conditions.

4 high for offroad.

4 low only when stuck or think you will. beach maybe big mud.

* this is just basic rule I go by as advised and feel the need to point this out because some yahoos here think any opinion only has one option and must adhere to thiers lol.

O_J_Simpson · October 18, 2016

You are hearing great strain being put on your front power train due to 4x4 high being used on pavement. Don't do it or you will soon learn much more about your 4x4 as you put the parts in a box to carry back to the dealer.

Doobs41378 · October 18, 2016

I have never used 4wd in the rain. I keep it on auto in the winter when it is snowing etc.

smrr1 · October 18, 2016

Only use 4wd when the wheels/tires are able to spin. Otherwise you are putting a massive amount of pressure and stress on parts.

Andy Seibel · October 18, 2016

you must be the first person on the planet to own both a prius and a 4x4 GMC truck. pretty much opposite ends of the spectrum there.

BigBadSierra · October 18, 2016

I use 2WD most of the times, Auto if it raining and there is allot of water build up.

Auto on normal winter roads.

I will use 4WD high if its snowing heavily and I've had to slow down because of it. Usually if there is 6 inches of snow already on the roads.

I only seem to use 4WD low when I'm shoving the camper into a ruff location and I know something may hang up the front wheels.

I've used 4WD low a few times to pull people who were stuck then only just a little stuck if they sunk it in good I tell them to call a tow truck ha ha.

newdude · October 18, 2016

You should not need to even use AUTO let alone 4hi on wet roads. Traction control would intervene if you had an issue on wet roads.

Donstar · October 18, 2016

Your owner's manual will also be a good resource on this topic. You will most likely find that your 4x4 option is best used for recreational purposes. Decent tires with some weight over the rear wheels will get you through most public road driving situations. I lived in regions where snow was on the ground for 6 months of the year and I didn't own a 4X4 until I moved to an area where it seldom snows! It is a great option to have and I enjoy searching for opportunities to engage all four wheels!

cbrsilv15 · October 18, 2016

Like others said, keep 4x4 for off-road and low traction times. Never use it in the rain unless you are slipping in wet grass.

truckguy82 · October 18, 2016

I use auto 4wd every time it rains

As far as I can tell it's hardly any different than a rwd bias awd system.

amxguy1970 · October 18, 2016

Your owner's manual will also be a good resource on this topic. You will most likely find that your 4x4 option is best used for recreational purposes. Decent tires with some weight over the rear wheels will get you through most public road driving situations. I lived in regions where snow was on the ground for 6 months of the year and I didn't own a 4X4 until I moved to an area where it seldom snows! It is a great option to have and I enjoy searching for opportunities to engage all four wheels!

Bingo, the amount of people that do just fine up north in 2wd are tons of them. I laugh when people buy 4x4 for the off chance of "inclimate weather" down here in the south like it is their excuse on why they need it. They bought it for the image plain and simple. All the years we lived in Michigan and Minnesota 4wd was not needed and seldom used for the vehicle we had it on. Does nothing for stopping and for 99% of the population nothing for turning either. Boat ramps too in most cases if it is a park or kept ramp.

OP, leave 4wd off unless you are off road or in a good amount of snow.

Tyler

truckguy82 · October 18, 2016

Bingo, the amount of people that do just fine up north in 2wd are tons of them. I laugh when people buy 4x4 for the off chance of "inclimate weather" down here in the south like it is their excuse on why they need it. They bought it for the image plain and simple. All the years we lived in Michigan and Minnesota 4wd was not needed and seldom used for the vehicle we had it on. Does nothing for stopping and for 99% of the population nothing for turning either. Boat ramps too in most cases if it is a park or kept ramp.

OP, leave 4wd off unless you are off road or in a good amount of snow.

Tyler

the "most people don't need 4wd" club is so irritating

Yeah most people can get around in 2wd, it's not "needed". It's just easier and more convenient

If it's raining out, or there is snow out, and I have such poor traction in the rear that I need to be careful with the throttle, and there is a little knob on the dash that allows me to accelerate at a normal rate, I'm going to press it. Not because I need to, because I want to. I can assure you, all those people you think is an ignorant unskilled suburbanite taking their kids to school in their escalade feel the same way.

Donstar · October 18, 2016

the "most people don't need 4wd" club is so irritating

Yeah most people can get around in 2wd, it's not "needed". It's just easier and more convenient

If it's raining out, or there is snow out, and I have such poor traction in the rear that I need to be careful with the throttle, and there is a little knob on the dash that allows me to accelerate at a normal rate, I'm going to press it. Not because I need to, because I want to. I can assure you, all those people you think is an ignorant unskilled suburbanite taking their kids to school in their escalade feel the same way.

No need to be irritated. We are simply providing the OP with some information as he has his first 4X4. If road conditions are slippery, slowing acceleration is not a bad idea. The four wheel button won't help you stop quicker! I am a huge fan of 4X4's for their capabilities beyond a 2wd. I don't use it to be able to go faster in poor driving conditions or as a substitute for good tires.

Andy Seibel · October 18, 2016

the "most people don't need 4wd" club is.....

SPOT ON.

You even said you don't need it, its just more "convenient" for you. How are you driving in the rain that you can't leave from a stop sign without spinning your rear tires? Maybe you need new tires, But I have yet to ever drive in rain and touch my 4wd button.

I just hope all those ignorant unskilled suburbanites in their escalade aren't driving behind me when they try to stop their 4WD in snowy weather.