How to use your 4X4

[VK-Sportsman]

First of all I am talking about part-time 4 wheel drive vehicle that employ a secondary shifter to control between 4WD and 2WD.

Everyday you will see 4X4s on the nation's roads.And some of us do own these vehicles.We will buy these vehicles because they look cool,very strong ,the pickups can carry your gear,and just go in the bush to try it out.

But most of us do not know how to use the 4WD.On some vehicles this is electronically operated by a switch.Mass produced 4x4s use lever that resembles a manual gear lever and is shorter.This controls the transfer case that uses gears to switch between 4WD and 2WD.(The transfer case is like a mini transmission that in some vehicles is independent from the vehicle's transmission while in others it is made up with the tranny.)

If you read up on your owner's manual ,it will explain how to engage your shifter.You can shift between

2WD
4WD HIGH
NEUTRAL
4WD LOW


^(suzuki samurai shifter pattern)
(Shift patterns vary depending on vehicle manufacturer)

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2WD -This is for highway/road driving or normal driving conditions.
4WD HIGH -This operates the front axles(*) so that all 4 wheels can receive power.Used for slippery conditions such as wet roads,gravel or wet grass where 2WD loses traction.
NEUTRAL - This like the neutral in your transmission.
4WD LOW - This uses a lower gear in the t- case where traction is very low.For example in muddy roads where driving speed is slow.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

* In order for the front axles to engage 4WD a locking hub is used on the front axle.Some locking hubs are electronically operated when you shift to 4WD, i.e comes on automatically. In others you will have to manually "lock" the hubs by turning the dial to the "lock" or 4X4" position.
It is recomended that when you finish using 4WD that you "unlock" the hubs for 2WD use(only applicable for Manual hubs)

~On a stock vehicle when you use your 4WD with Highway tires you will feel a difference in traction.Traction permits unless you use All-terrain or Mud- terrain tires on trails

~Do not use your 4WD on dry on-road highway use because this can severly wear down mechanical parts in the long run.
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[Plex]

very interesting..

[aidan]

cool.it suppose to have a lil ting by the shifter wid d instruction too!
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[VK-Sportsman]

If anyone has the electronic transfer-case control,please share with us on how to use it.I think that these come on the new Ford Rangers & new Nissan Pathfinders.
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[Greypatch]

thx man...good info for all
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