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the owners manual says to use 4x4 once a month


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#1 allanb

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Posted 11 April 2020 - 01:13 AM

The manual for my 2020 tacoma says to engage 4 wheel drive once a month. Makes sense to keep it lubed ,etc. But it also says to only use 4x on dirt or broken terrain. My wife's 2013 4 runner says the same. But my 2015 Silverado manual has nary a mention of such maintenance or use.

In a perfect world I would be out, w.t.w on roads that warranted using 4x. But alas, thats not my reality at present. My best solution for now, is to run it in 4x monthly, in the rain, or when the pavement is wet.

What does the august body here have to say about this? How important is it to drive in 4x monthly?


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#2 JaSAn

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Posted 11 April 2020 - 02:51 AM

In the winter I have snow packed roads.

In the summer you can use a straight section of road.

- drive a bit to warm up the differential.

- drive straight down the road in 4WD, not turning.

doesn't take much distance to circulate warm gear oil.

 

jim


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#3 rubberlegs

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Posted 11 April 2020 - 06:46 AM

Our 2018 says drive 4wd 10 miles per month. It’s sat unmoved for a month. We have gravel alleys so I’m gonna take it out soon.
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Tacoma/Fleet 2018.


#4 PaulT

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Posted 11 April 2020 - 08:17 AM

I have a 700 ft long gravel driveway, so I use 4wd up the driveway and back down to the road each time to exercise the front drive train regularly. A side benefit is that I scatter less gravel in 4wd.

 

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I thought getting old would take longer.

#5 billharr

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Posted 11 April 2020 - 02:25 PM

It is not just exercise, You need to move the lube around on the Toyota 4x4s to keep them lubed and ready when you need them. 


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#6 JHanson

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Posted 11 April 2020 - 03:18 PM

As Jim said, it doesn't take much to adequately distribute gear oil. Follow his advice and you'll be fine.


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#7 craig333

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Posted 11 April 2020 - 04:00 PM

Thanks for the reminder. My truck is a bit overdue.


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#8 allanb

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Posted 11 April 2020 - 04:45 PM

Thanks guys; Good points and ideas. Makes sense to let warm up a bit and then do straight stretch of road. Some vehicles say there is no upper speed limit on using the 4x (or even when shifting into 4x). Some some say anything under 60 mph. Don't think I'd ever shift in  to 4 hi, unless under 5 mph. And wouldnt run it any more than about 40 mph.


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#9 craig333

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Posted 11 April 2020 - 05:20 PM

Depends on the type of 4wd system you have. I certainly can't engage 4wd in the Jeep at any speed at all but the truck is totally different. 


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Craig K6JGV_________________________ 2004 2500 CTD 4X4 FWC HAWK 1960 CJ5


#10 LuckyDan

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Posted 11 April 2020 - 08:17 PM

The purpose is not just to move lube, depending on your system. If your system uses electric or vacuum actuators, the internal moving/sliding parts need periodic movement too.

My old Ranger has them. It helps when doing “Maintenance four wheeling” to shift it in and out of 4wd a couple of separate times during the process to let the actuators cycle. Or so it seems anyway.
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