Owners Manual Confusion

2020 TRD
On page 293 in my owners manual, it mentions in the 4H paragraph, " Use this only on tracks that permit the tires to slide, like off road,icy,or snow covered roads..."

But on page 296, it has printed, "You should drive in 4 wheel drive for at least 10 miles each month. This will ensure the front drive components are lubricated"

So , what to do? Please advise. TY

 

Do both ‍♂️

 

Ideally you would only use 4wd when you can have tire slip, per the manual. But if you don't offroad monthly, you still need to exercise it. I typically try for rainy days where wet pavement may allow a little slip. Even on dry pavement you should be OK as long as you are driving in a straight line. Do not attempt tight turns in 4wd on dry pavement as it will cause binding and potentially damage the system.

 

Well, I live in Oregon on the coast, so winter months bring RAIN! That was what i was thinking also. It's about 10 miles from my house to town on HWY 101. TY

 

it says to drive in 4WD for 10mi per months, not to drive on dry asphalt in 4WD for 10mi per month.

So ideally you want to drive for 10mi every month in one of those conditions "off road,icy,or snow covered roads..."
If there's a good amount of rain, it should be fine as long as you keep it in a straight line

 

No worries, just remember there is a "speed limit" for shifting into and out of 4wd if you are on highway (I think mine is around 50mph). I think once you are in you can exceed the limit for shifting although probably not recommended. I use back roads where my max speed is around 50. It has slight curves but when it's wet I don't worry too much, I just don't take turns. If it's a big/tight curve I will shift out and back in before and after. Aside from the lubrication, it's good for the actuators to be exercised going in/out of 4wd. I have about 55k miles and no issues doing this - still shifts in/out of 4wd easily.

One more thing, don't shift into 4wd while accelerating. I've tried and it won't lock. I get some speed, let off the accelerator, shift into 4wd, and when the light stops flashing ("locked"), I gently start to accelerate again.

 

Many many many threads on this…just find a straight road to exercise the system.

 

Yeah, I tend to do this on a long straight stretch of road. Rainy preferable, but as long as you’re going straight it should be fine.

Also, make sure to exercise your rear locker. It can be a little tricky to get it to lock and unlock, and it might need a slight turn back and forth (slight!) till it clicks in. Same for disengaging. Dont drive more than than you have to to engage/disengage the locker. (5-10 feet straight ahead, then unlock it)

I wouldnt sweat doing 10 miles…it’s more about exercising the ADD actuator in the front and the locker actuator. Also the transfer case actuator on SR5s.