My first 4x4 please help

Knotsure · October 19, 2016

No one is going to stop you from driving your truck however you want.

But for those asking questions about if "auto" is necessary for regular driving on wet road- that has been answered. And it seems like you are in the minority.

I still haven't seen anyone in this topic comment on how it was "necessary" or "needed" to use the auto feature. What the OP asked was about 4hi, he was not familiar with the 4x4 he has yet. Some commenters said they use auto in the rain and others basically criticized those who use it for not having driving skills or not adjusting to driving conditions. I am pointing out that the 4auto feature enhances driving in poor conditions and that there is absolutely no downside to using it other than maybe a little less mpg.

So we are. Back to the beginning. It is not "needed" or "necessary" to use 4auto but some of us use it because we feel it is an enhancement to our driving in poor conditions. Some of you ,for the lack of a better term, are hardheaded and just won't or don't use it because you never have. I have said all I need to say on the subject, and will continue to read other comments. Have a good day everyone.

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phabejhmoob · October 19, 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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HAha.. I can attest to the fact that with 2wd, I can easily whip my rear into a spin-out around turns or slightly up hill on a stop. with 300 horses... its best to put it on Auto when it's slick and wet. Better grip and no spin-out. That's my experience and opinion. Off course my other car is a Subaru lol.. so yeah, experience on AWD here.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · October 19, 2016

I still haven't seen anyone in this topic comment on how it was "necessary" or "needed" to use the auto feature. What the OP asked was about 4hi, he was not familiar with the 4x4 he has yet. Some commenters said they use auto in the rain and others basically criticized those who use it for not having driving skills or not adjusting to driving conditions. I am pointing out that the 4auto feature enhances driving in poor conditions and that there is absolutely no downside to using it other than maybe a little less mpg.

So we are. Back to the beginning. It is not "needed" or "necessary" to use 4auto but some of us use it because we feel it is an enhancement to our driving in poor conditions. Some of you ,for the lack of a better term, are hardheaded and just won't or don't use it because you never have. I have said all I need to say on the subject, and will continue to read other comments. Have a good day everyone.

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Ya I guess I'm hardheaded as hell to not think I need 4 auto for simple rain. Of course it helps, but again I'll say it's overkill. It's like putting it in 4LO to go through a small 2" deep mud puddle. Or lets say it's only about 55°F outside so it's chilly enough to maybe want or need a light jacket or light hoodie. 4 auto in rain would be like putting on a heavy winter jacket just for 55°F. Or putting on expensive hiking boots just to walk up a small hill. That's how I see putting it in auto 4 just for rain. I guess it's hard for me to understand a reason that almost baffles me. Again, I have yet had a problem with quick maneuvers while in rain in 2wd and crappy tires. I've had to do it in all 3 of the trucks I've owned and the first was only 2wd and the 2nd didn't have the auto feature.

By the way, if you look in the manual it says auto 4 is for road surfaces that are variable (page 9-49 on mine). In case you and the others don't know the meaning, it means not consistent. Raining is consistent. It's for use when there's a winter storm and the road changes from snow and/or ice to dry and/or wet pavement. You know when it melts there will be patches and then might freeze overnight to ice/black ice. So ya, by the manual, using 4 auto in just simple rain is improperly using it.

But ya'll do what you want, it's your truck.

truckguy82 · October 19, 2016

Or putting on expensive hiking boots just to walk up a small hill.

That is exactly what it's like. I'd put those boots on every time I walked up the hill if I had a magic button that let me instantly switch out my shoes.

Silverado-Hareek · October 19, 2016

I still haven't seen anyone in this topic comment on how it was "necessary" or "needed" to use the auto feature. What the OP asked was about 4hi, he was not familiar with the 4x4 he has yet. Some commenters said they use auto in the rain and others basically criticized those who use it for not having driving skills or not adjusting to driving conditions. I am pointing out that the 4auto feature enhances driving in poor conditions and that there is absolutely no downside to using it other than maybe a little less mpg.

So we are. Back to the beginning. It is not "needed" or "necessary" to use 4auto but some of us use it because we feel it is an enhancement to our driving in poor conditions. Some of you ,for the lack of a better term, are hardheaded and just won't or don't use it because you never have. I have said all I need to say on the subject, and will continue to read other comments. Have a good day everyone.

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Driving in 4WD on pavement is bad for your drivetrain, period. This is an indisputable fact. If you are in 4auto and you lose traction and 4wd engages as a result, that can be bad for your drivetrain because you're on pavement. There's nothing else to say. Yes you can use it if you want but we aren't hardheaded for not using it, we're using our vehicle as it was designed to be used and 4WD auto or hi were not designed to be used on wet pavement. You are the one being hardheaded by not listening to true time-tested advice and humbling yourself. You're supposed to slow down to maintain traction in the rain, not drive the same speed but put it in 4wd. Most of the time the 4auto probably isn't even engaging because you aren't losing any traction. You're simply justifying the usage of a feature because you want to use it. Traction control and stabilitrack are features added to these vehicles to help in rain like conditions, but 4auto isn't. How do those features work? By cutting the throttle and applying the brakes....thus reducing speed! Even if you hydroplane, that's not because you were in 2wd versus 4wd it's because you're going too fast and your tires aren't making contact with the asphalt. Driving in rain is different than driving in snow and 4wd is not the right tool for driving in the rain. You don't use pliers to hammer a nail because you can, you use a hammer.

Willyone · October 19, 2016

Easy Peezy OP.... and not worth a pissing match.

rain, or hard rain...I use 2WD. If truck begins to hydroplane I slow down, no 4x4 as that will not prevent hydoplaning or stopping distance, and won't improve overall wet road performance much, if any. And as has been mentioned, 4x4 on the bare road can damage the drive line.

Winter...combo of snow, drifts, and clear roads I use 4WD Auto, that's what it's for.

Winter again....total or mostly snow covered and or icy roads, I use 4x4.

Boat ramp....4x4 if the back wheels slip pulling my boat & trailer back up the ramp.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · October 19, 2016

That is exactly what it's like. I'd put those boots on every time I walked up the hill if I had a magic button that let me instantly switch out my shoes.

Gotta tow a 1,000 lb trailer? Better trade in and get a Duramax.

Havvkeye · October 19, 2016

_{I've never used 4x4 in anything other than completely covered roads (snow). I suppose you could use 4 auto in rain, but on any pavement if you are turning at all there will be increased strain.}

_{Personally I prefer to just drive to the conditions than risk an expensive repair.}

truckguy82 · October 19, 2016

Gotta tow a 1,000 lb trailer? Better trade in and get a Duramax.

If I had a button on the dash to turn it into a duramax, sure I'd do that

I think you're having a difficult time grasping the situation

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · October 19, 2016

If I had a button on the dash to turn it into a duramax, sure I'd do that

I think you're having a difficult time grasping the situation

Actually I think you're the one having a hard time lol.

truckguy82 · October 19, 2016

I think the primary issue with this debate is where you live. I drive mostly in NJ, but VT is my second home. I probably wouldn't use auto4wd in VT just because there is hardly any time where I am stopped. It's just miles and miles of 40-60mph driving with a stop sign or traffic light every once in awhile.

In NJ, or any dense area, where there is a stop sign or traffic light every 1/4 mile, auto4wd in the wet makes a lot of sense.

truckguy82 · October 19, 2016

Actually I think you're the one having a hard time lol.

got me there, ouch that one stung

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · October 19, 2016

I think the primary issue with this debate is where you live. I drive mostly in NJ, but VT is my second home. I probably wouldn't use auto4wd in VT just because there is hardly any time where I am stopped. It's just miles and miles of 40-60mph driving with a stop sign or traffic light every once in awhile.

In NJ, or any dense area, where there is a stop sign or traffic light every 1/4 mile, auto4wd in the wet makes a lot of sense.

When we're only talking about rain it doesn't matter where you live. And I do know about NJ and VT because when I did the whole trucking thing I was all over the East end of the US. I have hill all around my house and there's plenty of places where you're going 55 or 60 and then have to slow down as much as 20 when you get to a town and still no problems.

How ever did you ever make it home int he rain in your Prius since it wasn't AWD or 4x4.

Knotsure · October 19, 2016

http://m.gmc.com/gmc-life/how-to/when-to-use-four-wheel-drive.html

I found this for some more official information for the OP. It says clearly while not always optimal for the efficiency of the vehicle 4x4 driveline, automatic 4 can be used on any road condition without risk of damaging your vehicle.

Also, there are many forums were some say use it in rain and some say don't. I like to use it and have used it for years and have never had ANY issue. Just don't use 4hi or lo on dry pavement. Other than that use it how you want.

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SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · October 19, 2016

http://m.gmc.com/gmc-life/how-to/when-to-use-four-wheel-drive.html

I found this for some more official information for the OP. It says clearly while not always optimal for the efficiency of the vehicle 4x4 driveline, automatic 4 can be used on any road condition without risk of damaging your vehicle.

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Well the link doesn't work. But, the reason it can say that is because it won't kick in 4HI unless it feels like the rear is slipping. So ya you can have it on auto ona hot sunny day because it has no reason to want to put it in 4HI. As others have said, the only time a full size truck will have problem in the rain is if it hydroplanes which no 4x4 system can help since the tires aren't gripping. As I said, my manual (page 9-49 on mine) says that auto 4 is for variable surfaces which means inconsistent surfaces. Like when it snows and melts and you have patches of snow/ice and dry/wet pavement where you might need 4HI on some spots but not the whole time. So anything that uses auto 4 for just simple rain is improperly using it. Again for the 100th time, I have yet had a problem controlling a truck in the rain anywhere from my '86 Chevy 2wd to my '98 Z71 and not my '14. And I used to drive wild as hell when I had the '86 (which was a manual) and most of the time of owning the '98.

I don't remember who said it, but someone said that they paid for it so they will use it. Well I have remote start on mine, but I don't use it every time to start the truck. Only when I want to warm it up in the Winter. So I'm not going to put it in auto 4 just because it's raining just because I have auto 4 when it's not needed.