Did I break anything on 4WD

So while bringing the kids to school this morning, I switched to 4Hi just so the gears get "lubricated". This was on a 3 mile stretch of road with 35mph speed so it's great. But I forgot to switch back to 2Hi when I reached the school, I was running around 5mph when I made a sharp turn and felt the "resistance" and it locked up and my turning radius was reduced. I went on a full stop and switched back to 2Hi, the indicator on the dash kept flashing, but stopped after driving a few feet.

Then when I was back on the road I switch back to 4Hi. I then forgot to turn it back to 2Hi when I reached a bend and made a sharp turn again. This was was on very low speed and I felt the vehicle "jump" or "slip". Switched back to 2Hi and drove around for 5 minutes just to
see if I hear or feel anything, but nothing.

My guess is nothing broke, but just want to ask if I broke anything that will cause a problem in the future?

2020 TRD ORP.
Thanks

 

It doesn't sound like you broke anything. I wouldn't make a habit of doing that, but sometimes we forget. You're not the first person to do that -- you're in good company!

 

You're fine. Nothing wrong. As long as the tires are able to slip some, they will do just that before the drive-train breaks.

Pretty funny though that you had already derped once and then forgot and did it again lol...

I was a noob for sure when I test drove the first 4Runner we looked at. Had no idea really how 4WD really worked so I put the truck in 4Hi then proceeded to turn around in a parking lot at full steering lock. LMAO after a half circle one way then turning back the other way, I was like "this can't be right" so I turned it off. I then had to go do some research and figure it all out.

By the way, the blinking 4WD light is basically saying that it is currently engaging, or disengaging, 4WD.

 

thanks

Must be my age catching up

 

It’s not age since I’ve been doing this since I was 18 and now 62.
I have a friend that is always wearing a hat of some sort. And when he shifts a vehicle in 4h, he takes his hat off and puts it on the dash. That is until he forgets and puts his hat back on.
Quite a few years ago, I got him a hat with the letters, CRS on it. He won’t wear it.
Although his Wife cracks up every time I mention it.

 

This is good info, and if it takes a little bit to stop blinking, it's not immediately a cause for concern. Toyota 4WD systems seem to like engaging and disengaging on level ground. Once things level out, it usually changes soon.

 

I find it odd to have a manual shift lever but electronic actuator. That is why light stays on or blinks for few seconds after you shift in or out of 4WD.

 

I have done this before too. When I was younger once I switched my Pathfinder into 4w while coming onto the highway without thinking and was going to fast and imploded the front auto hubs.

 

Ouch! Were the hubs the only casualties?

 

Believe it or not that was it. The truck had auto locking hubs and a few of the small pieces in the hub broke but that was it. I miss that truck, 897,000 KM and traded it in for my first Tacoma in 2007.