Oops left it in 4wd!

djxn40 · April 3, 2017

I live on muddy dirt roads.. i take excellent car of my truck, (2016) z71.. however i drove down the extremely muddy dirt today in 4wd. right before i got to the highway i received an important phone call and when i hit the highway i forgot to switch to 2wd. So i just drove 35 miles down the turnpike at 78 mph all the way to work. Pulling in the driveway on pavement making a sharp turn i felt the bind. I immediately stopped and shifted to 2wd. I mean everything seems fine but now im paranoid and freaking out because of the high speed and pavement... think i hurt anything??? I so disappointed in myself because i take such good car of my truck and i need it to last... ugh

P.s. this was 4 hi not auto

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Edited April 3, 2017 by djxn40

Silverado Steve · April 3, 2017

You will be fine. On my previous 2007 Tacoma, it was recommended to drive in 4hi once in awhile on striaght roads to ensure the gears in the transfer case and front diff turned and got lubed. You'll know when its bad....you would of heard a loud pop and your truck would of acted as if it was in nuetral.

SkiDooNick700 · April 3, 2017

Dang you probably took years off your drivetain and overheated the transfer case.

Just kidding. You will be just fine, this likely had no impact to your drivetrain components. 30 something miles isn't that many plus you caught it while turning which imo is far worse than driving in a straight line.

Sierra706 · April 3, 2017

A little wear and tear but nothing youll likely notice down the line.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

djxn40 · April 3, 2017

Thank you guys! You have eased my mind.. god i love this forum! So many helpful people on here. Wished i could buy y'all a beer!!!

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Sierra706 · April 3, 2017

Thank you guys! You have eased my mind.. god i love this forum! So many helpful people on here. Wished i could buy y'all a beer!!!

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

There's apps for that [emoji6]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

qwank · April 3, 2017

people drag race these trucks in 4WD

Cosmic Charlie · April 3, 2017

people drag race these trucks in 4WD

yup - and repair them as well

30 miles is no concern ...

Bikemobile · April 3, 2017

My father in law's 14' sierra was stuck in 4hi after Christmas 2015. He drove home to California from Colorado in 4hi. Dealer in Cali did the transfer case tsb and fixed it. Dealer said fluid was fine, no issues.......

So i think you will be ok.

TheGovernment · April 3, 2017

Why on Earth would you think you wrecked your truck by driving it in 4wd? Lol And who at some point in your life would have told you driving in 4hi would ruin your truck?

Silverado Steve · April 3, 2017

From all the chicken little's on this forum.

Why on Earth would you think you wrecked your truck by driving it in 4wd? Lol And who at some point in your life would have told you driving in 4hi would ruin your truck?

Thomcat · April 3, 2017

Why on Earth would you think you wrecked your truck by driving it in 4wd? Lol And who at some point in your life would have told you driving in 4hi would ruin your truck?

Maybe someone who knows what they're talking about OR because he read the Silverado owner's manual.

"Drive Systems

Four-Wheel Drive

If equipped, four-wheel drive

engages the front axle for extra

traction. Read the appropriate

section for transfer case operation

before using.

Caution

Do not drive on clean, dry

pavement in 4 Hi and 4 Lo (if

equipped) for an extended period

of time. These conditions may

cause premature wear on the

vehicle’s powertrain.

Driving on clean, dry pavement in

four-wheel drive may:

. Cause a vibration to be felt in

the steering system.

. Cause tires to wear faster.

. Make the transfer case harder to

shift, and cause it to run noisier."

OP never said he wrecked his truck, just wanted to know if it was hurt by driving on a turnpike, not in mud or heavy rain. 4WD (not AWD) systems are stressed driving on dry pavement when locked wheels on opposite ends of the axle are forced to travel different distances in a turn, tighter the turn, more stress or wheel hop. Likely did little very little if any damage on a turnpike with mostly straight driving and high radius turns. Of course you can confidently go full time in 4WD with no chance of damage as so long as you go perfectly straight without turning the steering wheel..

TheGovernment · April 3, 2017

Maybe someone who knows what they're talking about OR because he read the Silverado owner's manual.

"Drive Systems

Four-Wheel Drive

If equipped, four-wheel drive

engages the front axle for extra

traction. Read the appropriate

section for transfer case operation

before using.

Caution

Do not drive on clean, dry

pavement in 4 Hi and 4 Lo (if

equipped) for an extended period

of time. These conditions may

cause premature wear on the

vehicles powertrain.

Driving on clean, dry pavement in

four-wheel drive may:

. Cause a vibration to be felt in

the steering system.

. Cause tires to wear faster.

. Make the transfer case harder to

shift, and cause it to run noisier."

OP never said he wrecked his truck, just wanted to know if it was hurt by driving on a turnpike, not in mud or heavy rain. 4WD (not AWD) systems are stressed driving on dry pavement when locked wheels on opposite ends of the axle are forced to travel different distances in a turn, tighter the turn, more stress or wheel hop. Likely did little very little if any damage on a turnpike with mostly straight driving and high radius turns. Of course you can confidently go full time in 4WD with no chance of damage as so long as you go perfectly straight without turning the steering wheel..

You've got to be kidding lol. You guys need some real life experience Im afraid.

sdeeter19555 · April 3, 2017

You've got to be kidding lol. You guys need some real life experience Im afraid.

Have you ever experienced a truck that was in 4wd most of its life? I have, when the chain stretches to the point it rattles in the case, jumps teeth of the gears, or worse pukes out through the side of the case...that's wear.

The owner's wife of the dealer I worked at way back when ran a demo Suburban in 4wd from the time the first snow hit until about June...she destroyed more than one transfercase in demo vehicles because of that and she got a new demo Suburban every year for winter driving...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

TheGovernment · April 3, 2017

Have you ever experienced a truck that was in 4wd most of its life? I have, when the chain stretches to the point it rattles in the case, jumps teeth of the gears, or worse pukes out through the side of the case...that's wear.

The owner's wife of the dealer I worked at way back when ran a demo Suburban in 4wd from the time the first snow hit until about June...she destroyed more than one transfercase in demo vehicles because of that and she got a new demo Suburban every year for winter driving...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

Yup, I work for gm and am in Canada, you know where half the population that has 4x4 leaves it in 4x4 for half the year, every year.....

You know how many transfer case jobs come through the shop a month? Maybe 1... Maybe and we have 22 mechanical techs and sell trucks like crazy and know for a fact tons of people as soon as a snowflake just the ground are in 4x4 till it's gone.

You guys are out to lunch. You read stupid story's on the net and believe everything you read.... Or have "a friend" who drove 3 kms and needed a complete overhaul of his 4x4 system lol.