My first 4x4 please help

[truckguy82]

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.

Let me get this straight

 

after further explaination, your reasons not to have full power available under wet conditions are simply

-it's overkill

-it's not needed

-a good driver can adapt

 

??

[SouthernSilveradoGuy85]

Let me get this straight

 

after further explaination, your reasons not to have full power available under wet conditions are simply

-it's overkill

-it's not needed

-a good driver can adapt

 

 

 

Any driver should be able to adapt to the weather conditions, but people are too busy messing with their phone to care. Auto 4 may help, but ya it's not needed because it's overkill for rain. In the 15 years of driving and having a class A CDL for 11 I've never had a problem driving in rain so why should I all of a sudden need auto 4 just for rain? Even on crappy tires I've never had a problem, and that includes avoiding people that can't drive.

[TheGovernment]

 

 

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.

I agree you don't really need 4x4 in the rain but come driver on some -35c pure black ice. We haven't sold a 2wd truck at our dealership in anything but a work truck edition, in almost a full 2 years.

If the truck Has the tech, no reason not to use it. I also don't need a 6k stereo but it's awesome none the less lol

[Rock1500]

So what exactly is the difference between 2wd and auto? I've left it in auto and never really changed it.

 

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[SouthernSilveradoGuy85]

I agree you don't really need 4x4 in the rain but come driver on some -35c pure black ice. We haven't sold a 2wd truck at our dealership in anything but a work truck edition, in almost a full 2 years.

If the truck Has the tech, no reason not to use it. I also don't need a 6k stereo but it's awesome none the less lol

 

I have used auto 4 after a snow storm because around here it likes to get above freezing during the day so it will melt in the day and turn into black ice at night with patches of snow. Then add hills to that since that's all there is around my house. That's the time for auto 4, not just rain. We're not talking about ice, we're talking about simple rain and in my opinion auto 4 in simple rain is just overkill and not needed, even if it's pouring down. Maybe if it's so flooded that it lifts the truck up a little then ya, but that's it and you probably shouldn't drive on a flooded road that bad anyways if it can lighten your truck like that. Also a stereo isn't the same as auto 4. Auto 4 is good when you need it, but just plain rain isn't when you need it. I actually have the normal stereo (non Bose) and love the sound.

[Knotsure]

I don't recall anyone saying they "NEEDED" 4auto. We have said we prefer 4auto in the rain. Just because someone thinks it is overkill doesn't mean this is true.

 

To the op's topic yes you were in 4hi and you don't want to be in 4hi on pavement. If you feel the "need" to use 4wd just throw it in 4auto and enjoy.

 

I love my 4auto and have absolutely no hesitation to turn it on for a few minutes when it lightly sprinkles after not raining for a while or if it pouring down rain. I have had my class A for almost 18 years and can drive in almost any weather imaginable. Guess what, I still love my 4 auto. I paid for it with money I earn and if I want to use it on a sunny dry day than I will. And it doesn't matter to me if anyone thinks it's "overkill" or "not needed". I am glad you have your opinion and I am happy you are voicing it. I love my 4auto and if I am driving next to you in the rain I will leave you in my rear view mirror and be on my way while you adjust to the driving conditions.

And for the record, I didn't buy my z71 for any kind of cool factor or to be recognized by anyone. I bought it because I wanted it for me.

 

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[chrislcrews]

I use 4 high when my 2wd will not get me through an area very well. I'll switch to 4lo when it's deep mud. Also I've snatched a few stumps out the ground and I use 4 low to give my truck maximum torque and traction.

[Donstar]

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 live in Canada, I'm not in my 50's, and I don't put my truck in 4 auto as soon as it gets cold. I also do not claim to be a superior driver nor do I share your belief that people are weird for voicing their opinions. You have 20 years experience with GM and perhaps have some helpful contributions so we need not be so clueless.

[TheGovernment]

I live in Canada, I'm not in my 50's, and I don't put my truck in 4 auto as soon as it gets cold. I also do not claim to be a superior driver nor do I share your belief that people are weird for voicing their opinions. You have 20 years experience with GM and perhaps have some helpful contributions so we need not be so clueless.

Ok, so then tell me, why don't you use 4 auto? I can give you my top 3 customer answers

1. It's electronic and if I use it, I'm sure it will break.

2. It causes too much wear and tear (although they have no idea what's wearing and tearing of course)

3. I get better gas mileage in 2wd

 

Then theres the best one of them all, "real drivers don't need 4wd"

 

You listen to people tell you that over and over.

 

It's a awesome feature a few other trucks don't have, there's no actual reason not to use it other than ignorant to what is does or stubborn beause of some strange made up/heard reason.

[sefiroxx]

Bought my first and second 4wd's living in CT for snow, camping and beach. Moved back to TX and opted for a 4wd add a replacement.

 

We leave it in 2wd all the time including most rains. Have used during the odd hurricane down pours when the water is pudding faster than the streets can drain.

 

We have gone skiing and beach numerous times and under the nasty conditions , use 4wd high. Have also used it for the various times when the boys' cars have hiccuped and need to be dragged back to"dad's" repair shop.

 

Only time we have used 4wd low are when pull out the many drivers who can't handle ice in TX.

 

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[kstruckcountry]

So what exactly is the difference between 2wd and auto? I've left it in auto and never really changed it.

 

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4x4 Auto keeps the front differential engaged, and the transfer case transfers torque to the front as needed depending on the slippage of the rear tires. The advantage to this is that the vehicle can still turn on a high-traction surface, but can handle low-traction areas when needed. This is especially useful in situations where some streets are cleared of snow, and some aren't. The disadvantage is the whole front axle is turning, so fuel efficiency is slightly decreased, and there is wear on the axle and transfer case.

 

For completely slippery conditions 4x4 hi is better, as it makes a lot more sense for everything to just stay engaged. Also, on steep, slippery descents (think snowy mountain pass) 4x4 allows the engine to slow the vehicle really well; Auto won't, the rear tires are more likely to slide.

 

I'll add: NEVER USE 4X4 HIGH IN HIGH-TRACTION CONDITIONS.

[Truck916]

Thanks everyone! If I do get shit scared in heavy rain I'll man up and leave it in 2wd. Or put my panties on with 4wd auto

[Rock1500]

4x4 Auto keeps the front differential engaged, and the transfer case transfers torque to the front as needed depending on the slippage of the rear tires. The advantage to this is that the vehicle can still turn on a high-traction surface, but can handle low-traction areas when needed. This is especially useful in situations where some streets are cleared of snow, and some aren't. The disadvantage is the whole front axle is turning, so fuel efficiency is slightly decreased, and there is wear on the axle and transfer case.

 

For completely slippery conditions 4x4 hi is better, as it makes a lot more sense for everything to just stay engaged. Also, on steep, slippery descents (think snowy mountain pass) 4x4 allows the engine to slow the vehicle really well; Auto won't, the rear tires are more likely to slide.

 

I'll add: NEVER USE 4X4 HIGH IN HIGH-TRACTION CONDITIONS.

Figured from what I read on this thread. When i got the truck my friend who owned trucks recommend me to keep it on auto to keep the parts moving. I don't drive enough to put serious miles on the truck to worry about mpg. I bought it back in early 2014 and I still only have like 17k miles on it.

 

I'll kick back over to 2wd and see if I even notice mpg difference or difference in driving.

Thanks everyone! If I do get shit scared in heavy rain I'll man up and leave it in 2wd. Or put my panties on with 4wd auto

 

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[Silverado Steve]

I didn't realize that a simple question of when to use 4x4 would cause so many people to unzip their pants.....sheeesh.

 

As others a few others have said don't use 4wd on dry pavement and where you have to turn your steering wheel to extreme measures on areas where there is high traction or you'll bind your front drive train. 4wd auto is a good in between if you are going between high traction and low traction situations such as melting snow, rain. Use 4wd high in continous low traction scenarios.

[BigBadSierra]

To funny.. I've had both 2wd trucks and 4wd/auto trucks.

 

I can get a 2wd most places others can't.. That being said I have gotten them stuck!!.

 

I've also taken the 4x4 trucks places others can't even believe I did it. That being said I have gotten them stuck too.

 

If you want the extra peace of mind then get the 4wd. I know trucks are expensive and other budgets need to get a 2wd.

 

Some people just hate 4wd.

 

For me it comes down to my needs I had a 4x4 years ago because I had a boat and it was better on the ramps. Got rid of the boat went to a 2wd.

 

Now I have a bigger camper and more time to hunt and fish and camp the 4x4 makes life easier as I'm getting to old to push trucks out ha ha...