5th Gen 4WD best practices knowledge base

Hey ya'll
Better late than never to read manuals again and learn how to four wheel drive properly for newbies like I. Before making a costly boo boo.

I believe manual says engage 4WD once a month for 10 min/miles (16kms) driving relatively straight, and can do long sweeping turns. 4HI should keep everything lubed and such, no need for 4LO necessarily. Keep it under 50mph.

Here are some great links I've educated myself with. Will my wife listen to me and retain this info, that's a rhetorical question ↓

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...IoAXoECBEQAg&usg=AOvVaw1umLZOmW5W9GswHikSoRgN
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...IoAnoECBEQAw&usg=AOvVaw2bCeOqtQr11Z4IABYRc96H
https://www.4runners.com/threads/what-would-be-damage-when-doing-a-u-turn-on-4wd.30343/#post-429401
https://www.4runners.com/threads/4x4-driving-question.28678/#post-401421

 

Such is the reason why I bought a Limited 4WD for my wife. Next time someone asks me why, I'll just refer them to this !

 

Hahaha smart man

 

I don’t need to buy a limited 4wd for my wife
I own one

 

Evening all, I want to make certain I’m understanding what is being said. I have a 2020 Limited, which I never take off road. So, what I am hearing is that every month I need to find a straight road, switch the knob to 4H and drive in a straight line for a few mins/miles? I then stop, switch it back and drive normal? Yes? Thanks

 

Hey buddy
So apparently yeah pretty much, but even I have not done this properly it's just Toyota recommended. Keep in mind long sweeping turns are ok/good. No u-turns! If you virtually never switch it to 4HI, or 4LO for that matter, you may pay the price

 

In my industry if you get caught reading a manual, the boys bust your balls. When you buy a $50,000 4WD, might wanna read that manual

 

@Blu’s Dad
The models with part time 4wd should engage the actuator periodically.

The LE model doesn’t have an actuator to exercise. It has Full Time 4wd. Now maybe you’ll want to lock the T-case on occasion? I don’t know if that’s a thing.

Cheers
Mike

 

I can’t find a reference in the manual to long sweeping turns. My manual says that for part-time 4WD models, H4 and L4 should only be used on surfaces that allow wheel slip. The part about exercising the 4WD on dry pavement in a straight line is some BS that we all made up. One may drive in 4WD at any speed, but shifting between H2 and H4 should only be done under 50mph. Is there something on your manual about sweeping turns?

About the actuators:
The Limited does have an actuator. It’s on the back of the transfer case. The knob is just a switch and has no mechanical connection to the transfer case. It’s the actuator that shifts from H4F to H4L and L4L.

The part time 4WD models with a lever also have an actuator - the ADD (automatic differential disconnect) and it’s on the front differential. The lever mechanically shifts the transfer case from H2 to H4 and L4, and the ADD connects and disconnects the front differential.

The part-time 4WD models with a knob have two (2) actuators. One on the back of the transfer case, and also the ADD on the differential.

They all need exercise!

 

Not exactly. Your Limited has full time 4WD. So normally you are driving in H4F. That’s 4Hi with an open differential. So you are always driving in 4H. You can drive in H4F on dry pavement, wet pavement, snow, dirt, mud — anything. No limitations or caveats. When you push the lock button on the knob and rotate it to the H4L position you’re still in 4Hi but now the center differential is locked. That should only be done, according to the manual, on a loose or slippery surface so that stresses don’t build up in the propellor shafts. Many of us will, perhaps controversially, “exercise” our 4WD on dry pavement if we have a stretch of straight road, because the stresses build up more/faster when turning than when driving in a straight line. You can shift from H4F to H4L while moving at any speed. When you turn the knob to L4L now you are in 4Lo with the differential locked. To do that you need to come to a stop, foot on brake, put the gear shift into neutral, and then turn the knob. When you want to go from low range back to high range you must follow the same procedure. Stop. Foot on brake. Neutral. Turn knob.

The knob is an electric switch and is not mechanically connected to the differential. The actual shifting is done by an electric actuator bolted to the back of the transfer case underneath the car. This is the part you’re exercising. So when you exercise it you want to spend some time in both H4L and L4L, perhaps shifting among all three settings multiple times. See your owners manual for other warnings and caveats.

Edited to add: I referred to the actuator as “electric” instead of electronic because it’s pretty stupid. If you pull into your driveway in H4L, turn the knob to H4F, and then immediately shut the car off before the actuator completes its operation, it might forget what part of the process it stopped at and screw things up. So just wait until the light goes out on the dash before shutting the car off.

(I’m reposting this response to Blu’s Dad from another thread)

 

Not everything I said is literally word for word from a manual no. A combination of research over months and real world advice. Hoping to get exactly this, put on blast from much more educated folks, and all learn a lot more in the process

 

Captain Spalding, I'm a girl, well really an old lady and just bought a 2023 Limited. First vehicle I've owned that has 4WD. Your descriptions and instructions are educational for sure. But just as I pay some strapping young neighbor kid to haul those 40 pound bags of salt from the back of truck to my water softener, maybe I should hire you to exercise the various 4WD levels on my behalf. God forbid I screwup this $$$$ last vehicle we will ever purchase in our lifetime! And why did I buy this - I had a Lexus Rx400h AWD and it was falling apart & the hybrid batteries were going out; I'm still working as a realtor and have crap to haul around; I have family in the hills of TN and need a reliable vehicle for when I am there or with family in CO.

 

@skrindy welcome here! You made a great decision purchasing a '23 Limited. It's full-time 4wd is the best 4R trim/option for you I believe. It's hard for myself to fully grasp the concepts discussed above and understand how these things work. @Captain Spalding maybe can break down the steps for us in layman's terms to engage 4wd particularly on the Limited's, which I am lacking knowledge of. Also, give yourself more credit Sandra, I bet you can take care of it yourself after a couple pointers! Cheers

 

The owner's manual doesn't reference "exercising the actuators". In the part time 4WD section of the manual (pgs 294-297) it says "You should drive in four-wheel drive for at least 10 miles (16 km) each month. This will assure that the front drive components are lubricated." I suppose the actuators are front drive components - BUT, in the full time 4WD section of the manual (pgs 298-301) there is no reference to 4WD usage frequency or instructions to drive in any other mode than H4F once a month. Either this is an oversight - or since the full time 4WD system is never not sending power to the front drive components - those components stay lubricated. It would appear to me that the manual is saying that exercising the actuator on the back of the Limited's transfer case that locks the center differential is not necessary. I have been, and will continue to, switch my Limited into H4L and L4L (lock the center diff) once a month, or every couple of months, even if not necessary. But based on the owner's manual description of why the part time 4WD system needs to be driven for at least 10 miles each month - I don't think it is necessary to drive a 4WD Limited in H4L or L4L 10 miles each month. Briefly switching into H4L and L4L and then back into H4F once every month, or two, is probably adequate.

 

Excellent point.

 

I had a very knowledgeable service manager tell me long ago that the most problems he saw with 4WD was those that were seldom used in 4WD and when needed failed, usually because an actuator was seized up.

ever since I have exercised both lo and hi regularly and never had a problem with a Jimmy and 4 T4Rs.

necessary vs actuators?, I think so with both lo and hi Limited or not. But JMHO. Then again what do I know. Only been operating 4WDs since I was about 10 and I will only be 85 in Nov.

 

Just to be clear - when Captain Spalding was saying "Excellent point" - I think he was referring to my statement that FT 4WD Limiteds didn't really need to be driven in any other mode than H4F for 10 miles each month. The 10 miles each month recommendation is for PT 4WD systems - so that the front drive components stay lubricated. In a FT 4WD Limited the front drive component are always moving/being lubricated. I still recommended switching from H4F to H4L and L4L and back to H4F regularly in order to exercise the actuator on the back of the transfer case that locks the center differential. I think it is wise to do this to prevent the actuator from seizing due to lack of use. Driving a Limited in H4L isn't going to lubricate the front drive components any more than driving it in H4F. And once the actuator locks the center diff it doesn't move until you unlock it - so driving around with the center diff locked doesn't exercise the actuator - locking and then unlocking the differential does.

 

Yes, you’re right. From what I’ve heard the service manager is correct and the most common issue with 4WD is a seized actuator. But @shooter1231 is also 100% correct when he says the manual doesn’t mention actuators in the discussion of exercising the 4WD in part time 4WD vehicles, and it doesn’t mention exercising the 4WD system on the Limited at all. (I had to go back to it and do a closer reading of the section pertaining to the Limited.)

My kids operated the gear shift in my ‘73 VW when they were 10, so they
have a similar boast to make!

 

Agree on driving part for lube. Note, I was referring to actuators and exercising them; no driving needed to do exercise them.

 

Toyota owner's manual doesn't say that you need to exercise the actuators - but I think there is enough anecdotal information out there that doing this is a good thing. I did it in the 2010 Tacoma I drove for 13 years - and that thing never failed to go in/out of 4WD the entire time I owned it. I, for sure, never really drove the Tacoma for 10 miles in 4WD each month either - more like maybe a mile or two in months were I wouldn't need 4WD - but in the snowy months I probably drove way more than 10 miles in 4WD - never had a single problem with the 4WD system. I have no doubt the 4WD system in my 2023 Limited is just as robust. However, I can also envision an actuator that hasn't moved in 5+ years seizing up enough that the actuator motor can't move it. Just cycling it every now and then would most likely prevent this. Plus - I paid a lot of money for a vehicle with a pretty sophisticated 4WD system - might as well play with it regularly

 

For the brave , curious, and patient: here is a video that explains in detail the innermost workings of the part-time 4WD transfer case and the full-time 4WD transfer case. It is long and monotonous but the info it provides is gold. So pour yourself a strong caffeinated beverage, settle into your most comfortable chair, and check it out.



Reader: “Spalding you totally mischaracterized that video. It wasn’t monotonous at all. I was rapt and fascinated the whole time.”

Spalding: “Oh. A glutton for punishment, eh? We’ll take that!



… aaaand that!



The third video also explains the operation of the ADD.

I make fun, but these videos provide information in a clear way I’ve found no where else.

And whatever you do DON’T watch this video about how planetary gears work unless you want to be put into suspended animation like Ellen Ripley.



Watching all four of these videos is a heroic task, like Kwai Chang Caine picking up the red hot cauldron of coals with his forearms thereby branding himself with the tiger and the dragon.

 

@Captain Spalding

great videos and I think they make clear why all modes should at least be exercised periodically to have the actuators move the gears in/out of all position. In addition I run my T4R in my Apt parking lot, about a block long straight, in 4LO fwd and reverse several times to make sure the gears are lubed in that position and are lubed in the shaft areas that are uncovered. Who knows, overkill??, but only takes a few minutes.

But then I am a nit picking cautious nuclear trained submariner and we always overkill because we despise fire, smoke, toxic gas, radiation and sea water in the People Tank. LOL

 

@Captain Spalding
We’ll done grasshopper

 

Although I appreciate the information shared, the idea that you have to "exercise" what is essentially a gear box filled with lubricant to make sure it will work when you need it is just silly. The only time this should ever be a concern is if you do seriousy mud bogging and have linkage to a gear box jammed full of mud. Will it hurt to "exercise"? likely no but good grief. Your time is better spent scrolling on your phone through Facebook. Drive your 4runner respectfully, give it regular maintenance, keep it fairly clean and it will serve you well. On the other hand, if you are part of the 3000 mile oil change club, make sure you "exercise" not only your 4wd system but also the sun roof every other day just to make sure it works. lol

 

Haha! That sunroof line is gold. Hey contrast, and perspective is much appreciated and exactly what I was hoping for - knowledge from more experienced folks than I.

 

We should take anecdotal evidence with a grain of salt, I agree. And when the members of the 3000 mile oil change club say if a little is good then more must be better, better safe than sorry, on my last 4Runner I changed my oil every 5k and it lasted 300,00 miles - that ignores the fact that many others report equally long-lived motors with oil changes at the recommended 10k. However —

The owner’s manual does specifically advise exercising the 4WD system:

Four-wheel drive usage frequency
You should drive in four-wheel drive for at least 10 miles (16 km) each month. This will assure that the front drive components are lubricated.
​

If I understand the mysterious inner workings of the transfer case correctly, on part-time 4WD models, when in two wheel drive mode the drive chain does not spin, and the upper half of it is high and dry. If I had to guess why Toyota advises a little exercise, I suppose this to be the reason. To keep the chain lubricated to protect the links from freezing up. I may be wrong, but Toyota must have put those instructions in the manual for a reason.

As for the actuators, the anecdotal evidence is more reliable that the most frequent failure of the 4WD system is seized actuators, whether the shift actuator, the ADD, or the rear diff lock. Take that for whatever it’s worth.

 

my guess is the poster saying not necessary to periodically exercise the gears is one of those who never reads the owners manual. BTW I have always been a member of the 5K club when they went to 10K on oil change.

 

I watched the Weber University video of his for Toyota transmission fluid stuff. While I decided against getting that tool, it was nice to see the internal transmission pan before doing any work on it.

 

For what it’s worth, nothing likely, transfer case design with a chain in lubricant is age old. 50 years old maybe and not one of those required exercise. Of course those had manual linkage. Moving the actuator periodically is a decent idea but don’t require driving any distance. Just engage and disengage.
As for the manual, there is nothing wrong with following it but take it from an engineer, what engineer recommends is not what is published in the manual. What is published is an amalgamation of engineering, marketing, senior leadership, and company lawyers bs with emphasis on what the lawyers want.