4H and 4L, Snowy Roads Help

So This is my first Pickup and 4X4 Vehicle. Before this I drive a Toyota Matrix FWD

So today was the first day of snow. I was driving home and decided to try the 4x4 feature. I put it in 4H while going about 30km/h.

Everything was going good, till I hit a roundabout and my truck started lightly shaking and stuttering. I didn't think much of it.

Then when I got home, I started reversing into my driveway and again my truck starting stuttering and shaking.

Anyone know whats wrong with my truck?

I got it in July and have only driven it on 2WD.

I thought 4H was for when it snows and it's slippery???

Also, anyone know what 4L is for?

 

If the roads were only wet the 4x4 was getting to much grip on the road when turning. The roads need to have a ittle of snow or slushy conditions not to feel the shutter. 4low usually is for slower offroading

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhTVQh7bFtw

 

Nothing is wrong with your truck. Your front tires were trying to rotate at the same speed while you had them turned, but in a turn they naturally want to rotate at different speeds. The shaking you felt was the tires gripping the pavement and fighting the drivelines and eventually slipping. Only use 4H when the ground is slick enough for your tires slip easily on the pavement. 4L is very low speed off road use.

 

As what has been mentioned above. 4hi is good but at low speed tight turns it will do that. AWD has the ability to prevent that 'shuddering' but 4x4 is more 'analog' (for lack of a better term). 4lo is only good for under 30km/h (I see you are from Ontario so I dont have to do the conversion haha)

 

This link might help you understand 4wd better...

http://www.rubicon-trail.com/4WD101/difference_4WD-low-high.html

 

Props for nobody biting this pour guys head off...yet.

Don't worry about whether or not you did any damage OP. Just be sure to only engage it when pavement is noticeable slick and try to avoid taking sharp turns when engaged.

 

you don't have enough wheel slip. You're getting driveline bind.
If I remember right you're in the GTA area right? I personally don't think what we got was enough to warrant 4x4 yet. At least not the whole time. I had it on a twice today as I was going down a hill but that was just to keep it tracking straight a little better as the hill was icy. But ya round about and backing into driveway definitely not slippery enough today.


4Lo is for better torque. Unless you're off roading or towing I don't really see a point you'd need to use it. BUT as they suggest using 4x4 once a month to keep it lubricated. I'd say its good to use 4lo once in a while too. Even just a little. Otherwise might have the actuator seize up and not switch into 4lo later.

 

https://youtu.be/gd4Y0McFu3s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-Wy5ENm_lM&t=2s