My first 4x4 please help

truckguy82 · October 18, 2016

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.

I have a 6.2 and factory SRA's, anybody with the same will tell you how bad it is.

Yeah, I absolutely said I don't "need" it

Just like I don't need air conditioning, heat, or a radio.

My point is there nothing illogical or wrong with people buying 4wd vehicles and using the 4wd system even if they don't "need" it. Too many "I don't need no stinkin 4wd" types thinking it's useless because they think putting 1000lbs of sand bags in the bed and having a spare set of wheels and winter tires makes everybody else with 4wd a moron, or in his words, a show off.

BlueCrayon · October 18, 2016

I have a 6.2 and factory SRA's, anybody with the same will tell you how bad it is.

Yeah, I absolutely said I don't "need" it

Just like I don't need air conditioning, heat, or a radio.

My point is there nothing illogical or wrong with people buying 4wd vehicles and using the 4wd system even if they don't "need" it. Too many "I don't need no stinkin 4wd" types thinking it's useless because they think putting 1000lbs of sand bags in the bed and having a spare set of wheels and winter tires makes everybody else with 4wd a moron, or in his words, a show off.

Yeah I was afraid of that! We've had a huge drought and only have had rain like 3 times since I got my truck and I was shocked how easily it spun! Luckily I bought 4x4 anyways rather than running 2wd with dedicated snows. I do live in the Buffalo southtowns near several ski resorts so it's hilly and we get a LOT of snow. It's not uncommon to get several feet in a day. Just a couple winters ago, we got 10' over 3-4 days. I was hoping with some weight in the rear with the locker I could run 2wd fairly often, but whatever. If I have 4wd I'm just going to use it.

Donstar · October 18, 2016

I have a 6.2 and factory SRA's, anybody with the same will tell you how bad it is.

Yeah, I absolutely said I don't "need" it

Just like I don't need air conditioning, heat, or a radio.

My point is there nothing illogical or wrong with people buying 4wd vehicles and using the 4wd system even if they don't "need" it. Too many "I don't need no stinkin 4wd" types thinking it's useless because they think putting 1000lbs of sand bags in the bed and having a spare set of wheels and winter tires makes everybody else with 4wd a moron, or in his words, a show off.

There is some sensitivity about justifying using a 4X4 which I doubt wast the intent of the OP or most of the respondents. Use four wheel drive the way you want and use the information as you see appropriate. A common mistake I witness is the uninformed driving 4X4's beyond their capabilities to safely control their vehicle. Driving on poor tires in inclement weather is risky whether you have 2 or 4 wheel drive. I appreciate that the suggestion to add 1,000 lbs was intended as an exaggeration as it it was not recommended in this thread. I like reading people's suggestions and experiences and learn from them.

truckguy82 · October 18, 2016

There is some sensitivity about justifying using a 4X4 which I doubt wast the intent of the OP or most of the respondents. Use four wheel drive the way you want and use the information as you see appropriate. A common mistake I witness is the uninformed driving 4X4's beyond their capabilities to safely control their vehicle. Driving on poor tires in inclement weather is risky whether you have 2 or 4 wheel drive. I appreciate that the suggestion to add 1,000 lbs was intended as an exaggeration as it it was not recommended in this thread. I like reading people's suggestions and experiences and learn from them.

I suppose I was a bit sensitive lol, just having one of those days at work.

Silverado-Hareek · October 18, 2016

I don't think people are saying you don't need 4wd as in it's a luxurious feature that you don't need and you're spoiled for having it. I understood the point to be you don't need 4wd as in rainy weather is not what 4wd is meant to be used for. You don't use 4wd in the rain, you adjust your driving habits. If you are spinning wheels in the rain, you aren't driving correctly. 4wd is meant to only be used for snowy, icy, or muddy conditions where your wheels can spin freely. Wet pavement is not a condition where your wheels can or should spin freely. They may spin from loss of traction but that's a bad temporary thing that needs to be controlled as opposed to driving in the snow where your wheels constantly spin freely as you drive.

So yes in rain your truck should only be in 2WD and that's it. Slow down and adjust your driving habits and you'll be fine.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · October 18, 2016

I never had a problem driving my '86 Chevy C10 or my '98 Z71 in the rain so I don't get why people think they need to put it in 4 auto just because it's raining. It's just over kill. It would be like putting it in 4lo to go through a 2" deep mud puddle. If you need to put it in 4 auto for rain then I don't know how all of these RWD V8 performance cars make it home. Even with traction control and stabilitrak off a full size truck that ways over 5,000 lbs won't have a problem in the rain. I have factory SR-As and I have yet had a problem with spinning tires or lose any kind of control in the rain and I still mean hard rain where you can barely see in front of you, like a dense fog.

As for needing 4x4. It doesn't snow all the time in northern NC, but lately it has been at least 1 snow storm big enough to need 4hi or at least 4auto. Especially since there's hills all around my house. Even if I only use it once per year then it's worth it for me. I'd rather have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

4LO = loose material where you can get stuck in

4HI = snow or ice on asphalt

4Auto = road isn't consistent, patches of snow/ice and wet or dry spots

phabejhmoob · October 18, 2016

Auto for rain.

Knotsure · October 18, 2016

I will never buy another 2wd truck for myself ever again. I like having the ability to get myself into and out of some sticky/fun situations. When driving in the rain I almost always put it in 4auto. Anyone who thinks a 2wd with traction control handles the same as 4auto has NOT DRIVIN one in the rain. I feel more secure and if I need to swerve to miss someone who is driving recklessly or on bad tires or whatever I have the ability to do so safely. Also I will make sure my wife has awd as well. If I have to buy a slightly used 4wd in order to be able to afford it, that is worth it to me.

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truckguy82 · October 18, 2016

I have an idea, to those saying auto 4wd should not be used in the wet, you're clearly only saying it because you think it's bad for the drivetrain. Otherwise there would be no downside.

Please explain why you think it's damaging it.

Also explain how it differs from my wifes awd rdx, or any other run of the mill clutch actuated awd system that only transfers power to a second set of wheels under a low traction situation

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · October 19, 2016

I have an idea, to those saying auto 4wd should not be used in the wet, you're clearly only saying it because you think it's bad for the drivetrain. Otherwise there would be no downside.

Please explain why you think it's damaging it.

Also explain how it differs from my wifes awd rdx, or any other run of the mill clutch actuated awd system that only transfers power to a second set of wheels under a low traction situation

I say it because it's plainly overkill. Also even though it has an auto function, it's still a different system than an AWD system. An AWD system is able to put certain amount of power to the front and rear and maybe even to each wheel. these trucks can't do that, you either have 4x4 on or not on and it's only a 50/50 split. Even in auto it's goes between on and off. I have yet gotten into a situation where auto 4x4 was necessary on a simply wet road while raining. I've even done quick maneuvers with no problem with the factory SR-A tires. One of the first things you learn in driver'd ed was that you have to adapt to your surroundings. Which means if you're on a bad surface you give more room to brake and so on. I understand sometimes you have to do an emergency maneuver, but I still have done that in my old trucks without any kind of TC or aid with crappy tires with no problem. If you think you NEED auto 4x4 when it's raining then you either can't or won't adapt to the surroundings or you want it to take up the slack of your driving. I'm not saying someone that thinks they need it on for rain can't drive. Again, it's simply overkill like my example in my post saying that it would be like putting it in 4LO to go through a small 2" deep mud puddle. Same goes for those high performance cars, they adapt with the throttle so they don't spin out. It's simple, or at least I thought it was. It may drive a lot better in auto, but that doesn't mean you need it. It's just too much. How did I ever make it home in my '86 Chevy C10 2wd I'll never know. I guess all trucks should be 4wd with the auto function or the roads just aren't safe when it drizzles.

15 Z71 · October 19, 2016

I have had a couple 2wd trucks. Living in northern Ohio now having my 2nd 4x4 it is priceless. Not even comparable,I love having it driving 1/2 to work at 5a.m. before the roads are touched. You will always have people saying you don't need it....you don't need running shoes to run a marathon but it sure helps. Ha!

TheGovernment · October 19, 2016

I have an idea, to those saying auto 4wd should not be used in the wet, you're clearly only saying it because you think it's bad for the drivetrain. Otherwise there would be no downside.

Please explain why you think it's damaging it.

Also explain how it differs from my wifes awd rdx, or any other run of the mill clutch actuated awd system that only transfers power to a second set of wheels under a low traction situation

It doesn't damage anything. The posters saying so are clueless. I've been with Gm for over 20 years. I've never seen or even heard of anyone ever, having any issues with leaving it in auto.

People are wierd, they want random other people on the Internet that they are somehow superior drivers because they don't use 4x4 much lol like common.

I live in Canada, winter is 6 months long

The truck goes into 4 auto as soon as it gets cold, just like every other person that drives a 4x4 with auto in Canada that isn't in their 50s and think for some reason, driving in 2wd gets you way better gad mileage and makes you a better driver.

TJay74 · October 19, 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

not exactly true on all accounts. My last 4 trucks have all been 4wd, I don't buy it for the image. I live in Oklahoma and at the end of the day when the weather is at it worst is when I am required to be into work. I don't get the luxury or option of saying I cant make it in because of the weather, I am required to be there no matter what. So I own a 4wd vehicle and a AWD vehicle.

The image thing isn't it for everyone either, none of my last 3 trucks had anything on them that said 4x4.

TJay74 · October 19, 2016

I will say one thing that has changed over the last 10-20 years. HP output of the trucks. I mean almost every 1500 truck on the road now is making over 350hp, add that in with less than optimal weight over the rear tires and the issue is spinning become worse. I know in my 6.2 it don't take much throttle pedal to get the tires spinning once the ground is wet, the computer will even allow a decent amount of wheel slippage until the vehicle speed gets too high.

And for comparison I lived in Wichita KS for a year. had at least 5+ bad snow storms a year while there. I drove a 2001 Formula Firebird with 360rwhp on summer only tires in the snow with minimal issues.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · October 19, 2016

It doesn't damage anything. The posters saying so are clueless. I've been with Gm for over 20 years. I've never seen or even heard of anyone ever, having any issues with leaving it in auto.

People are wierd, they want random other people on the Internet that they are somehow superior drivers because they don't use 4x4 much lol like common.

I live in Canada, winter is 6 months long

The truck goes into 4 auto as soon as it gets cold, just like every other person that drives a 4x4 with auto in Canada that isn't in their 50s and think for some reason, driving in 2wd gets you way better gad mileage and makes you a better driver.

I don't act like I'm the best driver, but I am confident in my driving, especially in bad weather rather it's in snow or during a hurricane. I actually love driving in bad weather for some reason so I guess I am weird. But, I didn't need auto 4x4 for the rain when I first started driving and I don't need it now. The way I used to drive my '86 C10 and '98 Z71, even in the rain and never had a problem, I highly doubt you NEED auto 4x4 in the rain. It actually flooded in areas in my town and surrounding areas from the hurricane last week and never even looked at the 4x4 knob. Again, I guess all trucks should have auto 4x4 or it's a death trap in the rain. So if you're beside a 2wd truck you better get out of the way.