Winter Driving in 4WD High

[marioec]

So, all 4WD trucks and SUVs that don't have AWD state that you should not drive on dry pavement in 4WD High.

But, when driving in snowy conditions, especially in the mountains, sometimes the roads are blowing snow, ice, but mainly flat. It is exactly at these times when you need the 4WD most, however, i get mixed signals on exactly when you can use it. It almost sounds like 4WD high is not really helpful for highway snow driving. since i'll be driving from Miami, FL in to Bonne, NC mountains this coming weekend and then going up US-74 W to Ellijay, GA i would like to put it in 4WD and drive over 45- 65 MPH on icy roads if there is any, but not always fully covered with snow...like patches of snow, clear, ice, patches, ice, etc.

Any insight on the correct use of 4WD high would be useful, but i have read the manual and it says not to do that.

Thanks for the input.

 

[lka]

If it's snowing or icy I drive in 4H always have my whole driving life, I've always owned 4x4s and I've never had one break I've conservatively owned 20 different 4/4 vehicles. But I'm only 34 so maybe someone with more experience will differ but I always have and always will, that's the main reason for me to buy 4/4s oh and I average 100m a day have since around 21. My raptor isn't a month old yet and I'm about to hit 3k and in every snow and most days after the storms I've driven the raptor all day in 4/4, I want to be able to jump out of the little cars way when they come spinning towards me lol. It's all work miles. Well mostly lol.

 

[SilentShooter]

You can run 4hi any time you want. You should only lock the rear when you are on soft surfaces.

They say not to run 4hi due to wear on tires and such but will not harm the truck

 

[Ramrodthrusterpuppy]

You can run 4hi any time you want.

Mmmm....not quite. You don't want to be in 4WD (high or low range) on dry pavement (for example) because when you turn, the front wheels will be turning at different speeds (outside wheel will be turning faster than inside wheel as it's covering a longer arc). Therefore, usually the inside wheel needs slippage in order to equalize the speed otherwise differential gears will explode.

So as long as you have a somewhat slippery surface where the wheels can break traction to equalize speeds, you won't do any damage.

Personally, I usually always use 4WD high range on snowy roads.

 

[Huck]

Mmmm....not quite. You don't want to be in 4WD (high or low range) on dry pavement (for example) because when you turn, the front wheels will be turning at different speeds (outside wheel will be turning faster than inside wheel as it's covering a longer arc). Therefore, usually the inside wheel needs slippage in order to equalize the speed otherwise differential gears will explode.

So as long as you have a somewhat slippery surface where the wheels can break traction to equalize speeds, you won't do any damage.

Personally, I usually always use 4WD high range on snowy roads.

Wrong,

The raptor has open diffs. No matter if you are in 4wd hi or 2 wheel all wheels will rotate at any speed they want.

Only thing that locks in the raptor is the rear diff. You can drive in 4hi all day everyday and other than normal wear and tear from being in 4hi and a loss of mpg your perfectly fine.

 

[Bulletnjm]

Wrong,

The raptor has open diffs. No matter if you are in 4wd hi or 2 wheel all wheels will rotate at any speed they want.

Only thing that locks in the raptor is the rear diff. You can drive in 4hi all day everyday and other than normal wear and tear from being in 4hi and a loss of mpg your perfectly fine.

What about the torsen on the 12+?

 

[hagak]

Also the transfer case provides no differential between front and rear, you will get binding even with front and rear open diffs

 

[SilentShooter]

What about the torsen on the 12+?

The torsen is not a full lock, so should not cause an issue.

 

[Aramco Raptor]

Personally I only use 4 high if the road / highway is snow covered (in my previous vehicles) as I have yet to drive my Raptor.

I will likely continue to do so.

I have never broken anything but also don't like the sound/feeling when in 4 high and turning on dry pavement.

Just feels wrong.

 

[gwpfan]

While the torsen may not provide a full lock, it'll definitely cause the front tires to 'skip' while on dry pavement. I was driving on pretty muddy roads and forgot to turn the 4 Hi off once I hit pavement and was making a really sharp left since the roads weren't perpendicular and the 'skip' made me realize I was still in 4WD. Didn't hurt the truck as far as I could tell, but I am sure overtime between tire wear and such something would give.

The biggest thing is just keep in mind while in 4WD is turns, especially sharper turns and even that much more so when you lock the rear diff....