I had occasion to run my old 2500HD in 4x4 at least once a month. I don't know if running it was needed, but it sure can't hurt keeping things lubed up.
I never would suggest running part-time 4x4 on dry pavement though. GM's Autotrac would be fine, as long as you are in the "Auto" setting, and not 4HI or 4LO. One of Jeep's systems is a full-time system from what I've read. The fiancee's Liberty has a part-time system though. Won't use it on dry pavement, causes the driveline to bind up.
When you drive in slippery conditions such as ice/snow/mud, these conditions will allow the wheels to spin at different rates...effectively, the tire is slipping just a minute amount and this won't cause any unnecessary damage to the drivetrain, it won't bind.
I'd never recommend using 4x4 on dry pavement from any of the Big 3's HD trucks...it's not made for it. They are a part-time system, not a full-time system. All one has to do is read the owner's manual, it will say to not use it on dry pavement.
I don't know how long it will take to actually see the damage from doing so, it may be years down the road, and the original owner may no longer even own the vehicle. It would depend on how you drive. If you're always driving around town, in and out of alleys in 4HI on dry pavement, you may see damage quickly. Driving all highway, with long, gradual curves...it could be years. But why would you want to do this? You'd spend more on fuel and maintenance costs.
FWIW even on wet pavement, try parking or backing out of a tight parking spot in 4wd with any transfercased truck. I did it once at work after driving through a snow storm and forgetting to take it out of 4wd after the lot was cleared after work. Truck bucked like a mule!
BiGG wrote: Driving off-road sees little wheel slippage under most conditions as well and this is no different than driving on dry pavement!
This issue is not worth worrying about!
OK, then don't worry about it. In the meantime, be a BiGG man enough to admit that you were wrong, in view of all the Owner's Manual references that have been posted.
If you think that off-road driving results in little wheel slippage, I invite you to come to Moab, Utah and take a tour of the "slick-rock" trails in a Jeep. See how much wheel slippage there is out there on the sandstone. Or visit Pismo Beach, California, and see how much slippage there is on the sand dunes. Or visit Northwestern Montana in January, see how much wheel slippage there is in 2 feet of snow in the mountains.
I have been in all three places, and I know how much slippage there is.
you are wrong, again.
Your references that say “may cause" increased tire and/or component wear do not say you cannot do it as firmly stated by others here and just so you know, I have owned 4 X 4’s all my life just as most of my friends and family have and we all drive in conditions like those you listed every year. While driving in those conditions wheel slippage is almost nonexistent 99% of the time and I think its time many of you admit I am correct when stating 99% of all driving while in four wheel drive sees no slippage so it’s no different than if you were driving on dry pavement.
Mind you, I realize I’m dealing with some here that worry about all kinds of foolish things like getting oil analyzed all the time and such, but when it comes right down to it the vast majority of us sell our vehicles long before there are any issues with four wheel drive systems or oil no matter where we drive them. That’s all I was saying, nothing to worry about, relax and enjoy yourselves for a change!
Looking for any information available on Del Rey "Sky Lounge" and Kamp King slide-ins for preservation/restoration projects.
BiGG wrote: As mentioned earlier … 99% of our driving in winter and/or wet conditions sees no more wheel slippage than driving on dry pavement. Most of us drive in snow and/or wet roads all the time year after year and we rarely experience actual wheel slippage so it’s no different than driving on dry roads. Driving off-road sees little wheel slippage under most conditions as well and this is no different than driving on dry pavement!
This issue is not worth worrying about!
Sorry BiGG, incorrect. Wheel slippage is quite common in snow and even rain. The slippage can be so slight that it is hardly noticeable, but it is there. Off road in loose soil and gravel also. Without being rude, you are simply incorrect. Sorry.
One snowy day, I had my truck in 4x4 and as soon as I pulled off of the snowy side road and on the interstate, which was clean, my truck started to do the bunny hop around the corner. I had forgotten to disengage the 4 wheel drive and luckily my tires slipped before something broke. I would never recommend driving with the 4wd engaged on dry pavement.
BiGG wrote: Your references that say “may cause" increased tire and/or component wear do not say you cannot do it as firmly stated by others here and just so you know, I have owned 4 X 4’s all my life just as most of my friends and family have and we all drive in conditions like those you listed every year. While driving in those conditions wheel slippage is almost nonexistent 99% of the time and I think its time many of you admit I am correct when stating 99% of all driving while in four wheel drive sees no slippage so it’s no different than if you were driving on dry pavement.
Mind you, I realize I’m dealing with some here that worry about all kinds of foolish things like getting oil analyzed all the time and such, but when it comes right down to it the vast majority of us sell our vehicles long before there are any issues with four wheel drive systems or oil no matter where we drive them. That’s all I was saying, nothing to worry about, relax and enjoy yourselves for a change!
You really just don't get it do you. Here is a big clue. If they are warning about increased tire wear or premature wear of components....you are not slipping and that is bad. Follow? Per your logic, antilock brakes mean nothing during a rainstorm as 99% of the traction is still there. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. NASCAR must dry the track for fun or show as according to you, wet pavement has plenty of traction.
Go lock in your 4wd in your truck and drive it that way for oh say 50,000 miles. Go try and make a drivetrain warranty claim and be sure to tell them that you never take it out of 4wd because it doesn't matter. See the reaction you get. Here is a prediction. Get out your check book as you will be paying for the repairs not then manufacturer. I guess the crab walking and driveline bind anyone who has any experience with 4wd trucks has felt is just some illusion too?
Just admit you were wrong or over generalized and be done with it. You are the only one here saying that it makes no difference. See a trend there? Almost every posted and 4 different manufacturers owners manuals can't be wrong.
Wet roads allow some slippage. Water and road grime act as a lubricant. A poor one yes, but allow more slippage than dry pavement nonetheless.
Dude,
99% of the time you might not feel seat of the pants "slipping" but trust me, there is slipping going on. It is what allows the drivetrain to unbind. Trust me, it is different than dry paveemnt where the only slip might be tire scrub, or wore yet, a case cracking or axle or ujoint popping I ask again, what do you drive?
I personally have broken a tranfer case because I forgot to take it out of 4 after trail riding. This was me personally, in my own experience, not based on what I think or heard, but what I saw with my own eyes. Vehicle was a Toyota Landcruiser - part time 4wd.
BiGG, you're plain wrong here. I hammer my vehicles and hardly ever worry about them, but this is one area where I don't!
BiGG wrote: As mentioned earlier … 99% of our driving in winter and/or wet conditions sees no more wheel slippage than driving on dry pavement. Most of us drive in snow and/or wet roads all the time year after year and we rarely experience actual wheel slippage so it’s no different than driving on dry roads. Driving off-road sees little wheel slippage under most conditions as well and this is no different than driving on dry pavement!
This issue is not worth worrying about!
Sorry BiGG, incorrect. Wheel slippage is quite common in snow and even rain. The slippage can be so slight that it is hardly noticeable, but it is there. Off road in loose soil and gravel also. Without being rude, you are simply incorrect. Sorry.
One snowy day, I had my truck in 4x4 and as soon as I pulled off of the snowy side road and on the interstate, which was clean, my truck started to do the bunny hop around the corner. I had forgotten to disengage the 4 wheel drive and luckily my tires slipped before something broke. I would never recommend driving with the 4wd engaged on dry pavement.
Don’t even pretend people take their vehicles in and out of four wheel drive every time they hit a dry spot on the road, nope, they leave their four wheel drive systems on and drive mile after mile without a problem. I rarely take mine out of four wheel drive all winter unless I’m having a problem with a really tight turn and I have never had one problem ever, I don’t know of anybody that has had one either and live in snow country where its common to drive like this!
Again, how many four wheel drive system component problems occur per million miles driven? See, it’s not worth worrying about!
You're toying with us aren't you. I won't travel any farther down this road BiGG except to say I hope no one takes you seriously and breaks something on their vehicle. You are wrong.
Offline
