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Auto 4-wheel drive

busta

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busta Enthusiast

busta

Posted
Posted

I've got a 2000 GMC Sierra 4x4 w/ the auto 4 wheel drive...just checking with everyone else when you use the auto 4 wheel drive and not just 4 wheel high...i have read the owners manual but what do all of you think...i have never had this option on a vehicle

Bish Senior Enthusiast

Bish

Posted
Posted
I've got a 2000 GMC Sierra 4x4 w/ the auto 4 wheel drive...just checking with everyone else when you use the auto 4 wheel drive and not just 4 wheel high...i have read the owners manual but what do all of you think...i have never had this option on a vehicle

 

 

 

 

I use Auto when driving in light mist or rain or when there are icy spots on the road. I really like it when your right side tires hit a puddle and you can feel the 4x4 kick in and keep you from pulling way right. I do not use Auto on dry pavement. I also tend to stick with 4X4 off road and don't use Auto much there. I believe auto does lock the front end so turning on dry pavement can cause binding.

Mark_in_Tulsa Senior Enthusiast

Mark_in_Tulsa

Posted
Posted

Well I never used it unless the roads are icy. But since the tires I have on it are well beyond safe now. I have to use it in the rain, or I will peel out from every green light.

 

But with the Christmas bonus comeing this week I plan on having some 285 Revos soon.

PaulieK Enthusiast

PaulieK

Posted
Posted

I have finally had an oportunity to use this feature the last few days with the snow. It worked great in the snow ,ice, slush but I turn it off as soon as I hit dry pavement.

PaulieK Enthusiast

PaulieK

Posted
Posted
Okay but why wouldn't I just use 4 wheel high if the roads are icy or slushy or whatever?

 

 

 

 

 

Well I use it because according to the manual the gas mileage is not affected as much as having the 4WD engaged all the time.

chris_kucia Enthusiast

chris_kucia

Posted
Posted
Okay but why wouldn't I just use 4 wheel high if the roads are icy or slushy or whatever?

 

 

 

 

I don't go offroading. The only time I use 4 wheel high is if all the roads are unplowed, which happens maybe twice a year in my neck of the woods, or if I'm in the middle of a blizzard.

 

The problem with 4WH is you have to put the truck in neutral to shift in/out of it.

 

For most of the season, some of the roads are plowed, and some aren't. With Auto, I can leave it in and forget it if the roads are mixed, or turn if off completely when I'm on dry pavement.

 

For example, this weekend, we got about 5" Saturday night. My street was plowed in the morning but wet. The side streets were still packed snow and very slippery. The freeway was plowed, salted and completely dry. I went out of the driveway in auto until I got to the freeway, then turned it off until I got back off again.

 

For the most part, in my part of the country, the highway department is pretty good about prepping the roads before the storm hits. Sometimes they get caught off guard, but for the most part, the freeways are clear and salted unless there's a huge storm. The sideroads are almost always a mixed bag.

 

If its so bad that I need fulltime 4wd, then I'm probably already going slow enough that I can slip it into netural and turn it on, although I've never had to.

 

That leads me to wonder, can you shift into fulltime 4wd in neutral while you're still moving? I've never tried.

Kyle401 Enthusiast

Kyle401

Posted
Posted

I believe the manual for my 2004 indicates that you can switch to 4HI at any speed without shifting to neutral. I have the electronic autotrac transfer case with push button controls.

busta Enthusiast

busta

Posted
  • Author
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Well I am pretty sure I can switch into 4 wheel high up to 55 mph...now me personally i wouldnt put it in at 55 mph i would wait until i slowed down

chris_kucia Enthusiast

chris_kucia

Posted
Posted
I believe the manual for my 2004 indicates that you can switch to 4HI at any speed without shifting to neutral.  I have the electronic autotrac transfer case with push button controls.

 

 

 

 

I haven't tried for awhile, but I don't believe my 2000 will actually shift into 4HI until I put it in neutral. The light will blink as if the process is pending.

 

Of course, I haven't tried it while moving - maybe it waits for some speed where the shift is easiest on the drivetrain and does it then. I'll have to give it a try sometime (after I check the manual).

busta Enthusiast

busta

Posted
  • Author
Posted

yeah definitly check your manual but i am almost positive you can shift on the fly...on my old 88 Sierra you could shift on the fly...now when going into 4 low you have to stop and put it in neutral then go into 4 low

Rammer Enthusiast

Rammer

Posted
Posted

You only need to shift to neutral for tha transfer case to shift to 4-LOW. 4High is any speed. I use auto for when the roads are clear in some spots and not in others.

99silveradoz71 Senior Enthusiast

99silveradoz71

Posted
Posted
You only need to shift to neutral for tha transfer case to shift to 4-LOW. 4High is any speed.  I use auto for when the roads are clear in some spots and not in others.

 

 

 

 

 

Correct. I have the Autotrac push button t-case and will hit the 4hi or auto button while moving in drive...I will let off the gas while doing so though.

JAMIEZ71 Enthusiast

JAMIEZ71

Posted
Posted

I use mine on fast take offs in traffic on wet roads. If not I'm all over the road. Sometimes I use it going up the hill to my house because it is spotty when it comes to ice and snow. I can switch my truck into 4hi while moving. I only have to use neutral when going to 4lo.

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