4 H or 4 L

As I don’t know much about 4 H and 4 L is it bad to drive your 3rd gen 4 H all the time?

 

Is it friday already?

 

depends what you are driving on

 

These trucks are “4 wheel drive” not “all wheel drive” like some popular SUV’s and cross overs so the answer is only use 4 H on surfaces that allow for slippage such as sand, snow, loose dirt, etc. Google 4 wheel vs all wheel drive and you will get a solid understanding of what the differences are. Edit: here’s a link for you:
https://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/awd-vs-4wd-whats-the-difference-and-which-to-choose.html

 

Just gonna wait for a follow up thread saying how you snapped your cv axels, grenaded your diff, grenaded your transfer case or all of the above

 

Its very bad if on asphalt to be in either mode too long....especially taking slow sharp corners.

 

Yea guys remember everybody has to start learning somewhere,
would you like stupid answers to your questions?????

 

I think an evening studying your owners manual would be very helpful. Likely on many topics.

 

Don’t use 4 H or 4 L unless you need it. You’ll know why if you pull into a parking spot in 4. And yes, read the manual. People don’t always say it to be jerks, it’s actually a good idea. And welcome aboard, enjoy your truck. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, but people will have fun at your expense, why not, life is short.

 

Why is that? If you don’t mind me asking

 

Welcome to TW, and congrats on your new Tacoma!

Yes, very bad. Do not do this. Only engage 4H in situations where there is low traction (gravel road, snow covered road, icy road). 4L can be used on trails and when you are offroading. 4L allows lower gearing to better control your velocity when driving on technical terrain, but it severly reduces maximum speed. It also gives you way more torque. Turning corners is where you will have problems on surfaces with high traction (pavement, concrete) if you're in either 4H or 4L. When shifting into either 4H or 4L, you are locking the center differential. This makes both front and rear driveshafts rotate at the same speed. You will get binding and risk serious damage to your drivetrain if you turn sharply on a high traction surface. When turning corners, the wheels move at different speeds. Locking the centre differential makes this more difficult.

I would highly suggest doing as was previously suggested and watch some videos on when to use what configuration. There are also videos on the Crawl Control system and the Multi Terrain Select feature that would be helpful to you. TW has various threads on these subjects.

 

Thanks for the response man. People think I’m a Toyota engineer or what answering my question crazy hahaha. Why is it bad to drive on 4H on asphalt or concrete if you don’t mind me asking

 

The issue with 4H on dry pavement is driveline binding when in tight turns or cornering. Many will argue that ANY dry pavement will damage the gears, but many of us also believe that as long as you are in a straight line with minimal cornering and turns, you will be fine. The manual also states that the 4x4 system should be exercised a few miles a month (i think 8miles or so?) so i usually turn it on when im on a straight stretch during the summer if i haven't been Off road in a while.

TLR---don't drive full time in 4h or 4l, you will break shit. Otherwise, there are many many threads here that discuss all of this to a nauseaum.

 

The wheels move at different speeds when cornering. Outside wheels move faster than inside. A locked differential (centre, front, or rear) will resist this variation in wheel speeds and cause binding.

 

Imagine a circle, when you make a turn, the inner (circle or wheel) has a shorter distance to travel than the outer wheels. When you lock the driveline, you restrict the rotations hence causing binding during tight turns

 

sounds good man, i have a buddy of mine who was taking a turn on 4 H and it sounded weird when he turned. Will something happen if it was only done once?