4WD Engagement / Break-In - First Time Owner, Education Needed

SoCal Angler · February 23, 2025

This is my first 4WD truck since 2005. I live in the 'burbs (semi agric. area) and have not used 4WD since purchasing new in 08/23. Residing in a zip code where it very, very rarely snows and when it does it's a miracle!! In addition, it seldom rains. So, 4WD is not really needed unless off-roading which I do not do.

With previous trucks (most have been 2WD), I've towed trailers and launched my boats in 2WD since 1998 with no problems, including both fresh/salt water.

Since my truck is still basically new at 4300 miles (it's my second vehicle and is primarily used for towing a TT and boat), how do I properly break-in the 4WD transfer case and all of the 4WD components?

I'm a little confused, as my owner's manual discuses several applications for trucks with various options. There is no mention of a break in.

I've attached a pic of dash that shows my controls. I have an SLE with 5 options. Some of these are included as standard and some are options....

1. 2 speed electronic transfer case

2. Hill descent control

3. Auto locking rear diff

4. X31 Off Road package

NOTE: I have some dirt fields near me where break in can take place.

Thanks!

Pryme · February 23, 2025

39 minutes ago, SoCal Angler said:

This is my first 4WD truck since 2005. I live in the 'burbs (semi agric. area) and have not used 4WD since purchasing new in 08/23. Residing in a zip code where it very, very rarely snows and when it does it's a miracle!! In addition, it seldom rains. So, 4WD is not really needed unless off-roading which I do not do.

With previous trucks (most have been 2WD), I've towed trailers and launched my boats in 2WD since 1998 with no problems, including both fresh/salt water.

Since my truck is still basically new at 4300 miles (it's my second vehicle and is primarily used for towing a TT and boat), how do I properly break-in the 4WD transfer case and all of the 4WD components?

I'm a little confused, as my owner's manual discuses several applications for trucks with various options. There is no mention of a break in.

I've attached a pic of dash that shows my controls. I have an SLE with 5 options. Some of these are included as standard and some are options....

1. 2 speed electronic transfer case

2. Hill descent control

3. Auto locking rear diff

4. X31 Off Road package

NOTE: I have some dirt fields near me where break in can take place.

Thanks!

You should use it on occasion on a known straight stretch day 2-3mi no turns. Just don’t turn on dry pavement in 4wd. That will get everything moving and keep it all lubricated. Doing that on occasion will be more than enough break in. Just switch back to 2wd before you know a turn is coming up.

also I’ve always made the switch to 4wd or back to 2wd off power but still coasting. I’ve never had issues with that.

SoCal Angler · March 13, 2025

1. What speed during the 2-3 miles?

2. Coasting....while in drive or neutral?

3. Is that 4 low or high?

4. In do have some dirt roads nearby....is that preferred over pavement? If so, is process any different?

Thanks!

Pryme · March 13, 2025

7 minutes ago, SoCal Angler said:

1. What speed during the 2-3 miles?

2. Coasting....while in drive or neutral?

3. Is that 4 low or high?

4. In do have some dirt roads nearby....is that preferred over pavement? If so, is process any different?

Thanks!

Anything up to say 55ish is fine.
coasting while in drive.
4hi.
yeah if you are on a dirt road you don’t have to really worry about making a turn while in 4wd. Just don’t want to make a turn on the pavement in 4hi it’s hard on the system.

revrnd · March 16, 2025

On 3/13/2025 at 3:48 PM, SoCal Angler said:

1. What speed during the 2-3 miles?

2. Coasting....while in drive or neutral?

3. Is that 4 low or high?

4. In do have some dirt roads nearby....is that preferred over pavement? If so, is process any different?

Thanks!

In 4 HI, the truck has to be stopped to shift into 4 LO.

Edited March 20, 2025 by revrnd

Chuck FB · March 19, 2025

Speaking of the GM transfer cases and more so the optional transfer case with the 4 Auto feature, has anyone heard of potential issues they have or have they been reliable. Certain vehicles/brands out there have had issues due to the clutches failing but I haven't happened to run across much for comments at all about the GM HD transfer case with the Auto ability. I've wondered why Ford and Ram have not offered it in their heavy duty trucks, if there is a reason or if customers are just not asking for it like I am speculating they may have for the half ton market. I honestly don't know when the GM HD trucks came out with the Auto option ?

revrnd · March 25, 2025

On 3/19/2025 at 4:25 PM, Chuck FB said:

Speaking of the GM transfer cases and more so the optional transfer case with the 4 Auto feature, has anyone heard of potential issues they have or have they been reliable. Certain vehicles/brands out there have had issues due to the clutches failing but I haven't happened to run across much for comments at all about the GM HD transfer case with the Auto ability. I've wondered why Ford and Ram have not offered it in their heavy duty trucks, if there is a reason or if customers are just not asking for it like I am speculating they may have for the half ton market. I honestly don't know when the GM HD trucks came out with the Auto option ?

This is an observation from 20 years ago, but when I was out in the Alberta & British Columbia oil patch, the vast majority of 'work trucks' either pickups or upfitted chassis cabs, were Dodges or Fords. Drive thru the nearby towns & all the 'personal use' 3/4 tons were Chevs or GMCs.

I'm sure the product planners in Dearborn & Auburn Hills have researched the feature & found that it isnt something the end users desire.

Chuck FB · March 25, 2025

55 minutes ago, revrnd said:

This is an observation from 20 years ago, but when I was out in the Alberta & British Columbia oil patch, the vast majority of 'work trucks' either pickups or upfitted chassis cabs, were Dodges or Fords. Drive thru the nearby towns & all the 'personal use' 3/4 tons were Chevs or GMCs.

I'm sure the product planners in Dearborn & Auburn Hills have researched the feature & found that it isnt something the end users desire.

That certainly was and still is a fair statement that the solid front axle trucks had that toughness to the front end that the independent GM tended to fall short on, so much depends on what they are using the truck for and what sort of load they are packing around. Its not that I've never seen GM trucks set up as a mechanics truck and certainly see some welding trucks using the GM's. Also its somewhat engine biased, who at the time has the least problems with their diesel engine and now its which ones can even be deleted as the 2024 the last I heard still doesn't have a fix for that. But that doesn't mean Ford and Ram don't have issues with their front end, they do and I can't say as of just very lately with the Ford but just a few years ago I know they were still struggling with that insane high speed steering wobble issue. Also front axle unit bearing issues and so forth. But numerous oilfield companies that run a fair fleet of trucks tend to buy a lot of Ford super duties and Rams. Yet there are GM trucks on some types of fleets, they sell a lot of "white" trucks too and all of the big three end up at the Ritchie Bros sales, and some of each are just beat to ****** too !. I only worked for a very short time for an oilfield company but that is years ago and back then they were still using a lot of two wheel drive pickups which is insane but they were, did not have many 4x4 pickups. Had to chain up, that was for sure but they ran more GM trucks as it happened then Ford at the time and had no Dodges at all ( I am talking 35 years ago ). It was the conditions on cutlines/trails through the bush but also if it was a nutcase behind the wheel, pickups were never intended to be driven like trophy trucks in races like the Baha etc.

The reason I went for a GM and I may had already stated that but it was to get an "acceptable ride" on the front end while still having an HD truck that has some ability that a half ton was never designed to perform. I quite like so far how it drives down the highway for example in the way it handles, in the past test driving the HD GM's of a few years back compared to the same year Ford gas Super Duty, I just didn't get that same feel in how it steered and rode and for my use I felt the GM was the better fitting tool.

rjgvt · March 25, 2025

I had three GMC 1500 Z71 trucks with Auto 4wd and used it a lot during winter. There are times after a storm that some roads are plowed good and others have hit and miss snow pack. On class 4 roads, I use a mix of Auto or 4 high.

My AT4HD came with Auto 4wd and use it like I did with the 1500's. It's a feature I will always get.

Z45 · March 25, 2025

Quote

This is an observation from 20 years ago, but when I was out in the Alberta & British Columbia oil patch, the vast majority of 'work trucks' either pickups or upfitted chassis cabs, were Dodges or Fords. Drive thru the nearby towns & all the 'personal use' 3/4 tons were Chevs or GMCs.

It has more to do with price than reliability. I worked 30 yrs for a state DOT and the Furds and Dudges (RAM) were always the cheapest fleet vehicles because of huge fleet incentives by the oem. We had a few suburbans on our GPS teams but rare due to no fleet incentives (reason they told us, cost too much). Could buy 5 Dudge Vans (with fleet incentive) for the cost of three suburbans so the bean counters would win out on vehicles we got for work. We needed special exemptions to get 4x4 suburbans for the crew leader (me).

Edited March 25, 2025 by Z45

Z45 · March 25, 2025

1 hour ago, rjgvt said:

I had three GMC 1500 Z71 trucks with Auto 4wd and used it a lot during winter. There are times after a storm that some roads are plowed good and others have hit and miss snow pack. On class 4 roads, I use a mix of Auto or 4 high.

My AT4HD came with Auto 4wd and use it like I did with the 1500's. It's a feature I will always get.

ME too. All the naysayers are wrong, never had any issues what so ever and I had trucks with AUTO since it became available way back when. Even the police here have 4wd Tahoe PPV's and they drive in AUTO 24/7 and according to a friends son who master tech at Chevy/GMC for over 25 yrs, they rarely fail and the ones that do are from obvious abuse, oversize tires, lifts, hard core off roading etc.

Edited March 25, 2025 by Z45

revrnd · March 25, 2025

Never say never. Ive owned 6 IFS 4x4s before my current 2024. The 1st was an an S15 & the rest were 1 each of the subsequent full size truck models.

W/ the S15, the vacuum based center disconnect caused me to spend 15 minutes 1 night @ a gas station parking lot, trying to get it to 'disconnect' after driving out of a snowfall & onto dry highway.

I've also had 2 T/C actuators fail (1 causing me to get stuck in snow) in subsequent trucks (I think the 1st 2, possibly 3 full size trucks were manual shift).

None of these trucks have been modded w/ lifts or oversize tires. I got that out of my system w/ my '82 K15... Mostly highway driving w/ 'light' offroad use on our woodlot.

Edited March 25, 2025 by revrnd

KARNUT · March 25, 2025

The only problem I ever had with a 4x4 was not using it enough. The automatic locking hubs failed to engage when I needed them. From then on I would engage the 4WD on wet roads occasionally never had a problem after. All my GMs had auto along with 4x4 I used that feature when ever the roads were wet.

Chuck FB · March 26, 2025

11 hours ago, rjgvt said:

I had three GMC 1500 Z71 trucks with Auto 4wd and used it a lot during winter. There are times after a storm that some roads are plowed good and others have hit and miss snow pack. On class 4 roads, I use a mix of Auto or 4 high.

My AT4HD came with Auto 4wd and use it like I did with the 1500's. It's a feature I will always get.

That's interesting, your experience and that of Z45's own vehicles plus observing the police vehicles and how they use the 4 auto. The reason I brought it up is that there is a youtuber that has a large following and some time back he had bought a Jeep Wrangler 392 and its made so that two wheel drive can't even be selected, its either in 4 auto or select full time 4 wheel drive which I presume applies a maximum pressure to the clutch packs at all time. His channel is all about exploring the off road and I can't say for sure when he put the 37" tires on it but would have done that and strapped on other typical items to it that all add up in weight. The transfer case clutches failed at 30000 miles but the rear tires still powered the Jeep but had to get towed out of the trail situation he was in. Jeep replaced the whole transfer case, that was the go to it seemed vs rebuilding it and since that time apparently its been quite a problem with that platform having the transfer case fail. I wonder if its because its always in auto mode unless selecting four wheel drive, that they get modified with larger tires, that they tend to get abused because of all that power they have, and abused off road and again all that power they have. The oil had not been changed in that 30000 miles and due to the clutches having fried he said the oil looked some nasty, I expect it would have had a ton of clutch plate friction material and the oil would be burned up.

But then one has to wonder, the 6.6 Duramax uses that type of transfer case and it has lots of power and torque. A better transfer case ? ... two wheel drive selected most of the time ?, its a good question. My brother had a brief conversation with a retired mechanic that ran/owned a shop for years in the states and he himself owns a highly modified 392 but made the comment about the big problems with the auto transfer case and not just the Jeep, but there wasn't the time at that moment to elaborate on what other vehicles and why they were failing. But that comment from that gentleman got me wondering and thought I'd throw that question up in this forum given GM is the only HD truck on the block with this type of transfer case.