4WD on Dry Pavement

Hey everyone,

I just recently purchased a 4Runner.

I have a stupid question. This is my first 4WD vehicle, and the other week I wanted to take it out to get its first 10 miles in 4WD.

I don't know how I missed it in the manual, but I did all 10 miles on paved road. I think I made about 10 or so turns (Left/right turns at intersections) but other than that it was pretty straight.

I don't remember feeling any sort of binding or hearing any noises that didn't sound right. Is there a chance I messed something up? Or is the whole "don't make turns on dry pavement in 4WD" thing only really a problem when people do it regularly?

I won't be doing that again, but I wanted to know if there's anything I should be concerned about. Would this potentially cause some long term problems or make anything in the drive shaft give out prematurely?

Thanks

 

You’re good.

I left it in 4hi when I first got it and shot down the highway at 80

 

It's fine.

 

Going straight on pavement in 4wd is fine but I'd personally recommend against turning in 4wd on pavement. Yours will be fine though to answer your question.

 

Thanks everyone, figured I was overthinking it

 

Just never do a U turn or have it in 4x4 in a parking lot where you are turning sharp to get into a parking space.

 

Whats damages occur when you fully turn the front wheels and binds with rear wheels spinning multiple times? Dry pavement

 

Read your owners manual. It is very bad for the 4Runner and you will feel why it's so bad for the SUV if you do this on dry pavement instantly.

 

Welcome to the forum, @weezol !

Like the others mentioned, you're fine. The 4Runner's drivetrain is pretty stout. I'd still make an effort to do the exercise in a straight area, or highway with sweeping curves in the future.

 

Thank you!

Yes, it's definitely a mistake that I won't repeat again. I have plenty of dirt roads around me, so it won't be an issue.

 

Nice! Perfect area for a 4Runner, then.

Also, share a picture of your 4Runner when you get a chance. We love pictures here.

 

Maybe I’m confused but I thought all 4th and 5th gen 4Runners were technically AWD when in 4hi unless the center diff lock button is activated?

but if this is the case then driving on pavement in 4hi would be a perfectly acceptable way to get the fluids and gears moving around with out putting unnecessary stress on the drivetrain right?

 

For the 5th gen, only the Limited is AWD (full time 4wd) and they do not have a 2wd mode unless you purchase a 2wd limited (similar to a 4th gen V8). All others that are 4wd are part time 4wd which is just your standard 4wd with high and low gearing.

4wd high will bind un turns because the tires rotate at different speeds when you make a turn. A locked center diff or part time case will not allow the front and rear axles to turn a different speeds. You can go straight just fine though. Also our drivetrains aren't made of glass so turning by mistake isn't going to turn everything to powder but it's best to minimize it.

 

Aaahhhh well then one more reason to be happy with my 4th gen over the 5th gen But ya I’m with you, it’s best not to try and see how many times it takes to break

 

I do wish I had an AWD and 4wd option like the 4th gen V6. I tried looking for a 08 or 09 4th gen V8 4wd before buying my 5th gen but nothing was around unless it was an 04 with 250K miles.

 

While it is true that the 4Runner’s differentials are very robust, and the odds of breaking a tooth off of the pinion gear or spider gears are low, the additional stresses incurred by driving in 4WD on pavement will cause cumulative accelerated wear on the gear teeth and bearings.

From the manual:

“H4 (high speed position, four-wheel drive): Use this for driving only on tracks that permit the tires slide, like off-road, icy or snow-covered roads. This position provides greater traction than two-wheel drive.”​

That word “only” seems to make it pretty unequivocal.

 

95% of 5TH Gen 4Runners are part time 4x4. Only the fancy Limited are AWD. If you do not have any dirt roads it is OK to put it in 4HI and drive down a road in 4x4 for the amount of miles the owners manual says you should every once and awhile. Just make sure you do not make a very sharp U-Turn. I would personally just find a long road and drive a few miles in 4 HI. To the original poster of this thread you are fine and good for you to think about putting it into 4x4 . Most owners that do not take this great machine off road never think of doing this.

 

You are doomed. Now it will only last 400K. Good luck.


And yeah, don't do tight turns with 4WD engaged. That's about it.

 

Welcome from Arizona! You should be fine.

 

Drivetrain binding is not a concern unless you leave it on all the time on dry roads.

 

Theres a residential street in a nearby town that runs straight from one end of town to the other, 5 miles or so. Every now and then I drive in 4wd high, about 20mph and cruise along. Where it ends it tees off, kick into 2wd about a block before, then hang a left or right.

 

I should have did this on my road trip today, I don’t drive mine in the winter unless necessary yet so it doesn’t see any 4x4 action. I know I know...

 

Yeah, first time I had to deal with driveline binding on my dad's Suburban I was like "what the heck was that!" as the whole truck skips forward. I was even more horrified when I understood what stresses I put on the drivetrain. It happens, the first few are free - I honestly do not hear about people's kids or spouses who may not be used to 4WD breaking a transfer case this way, although probably one that is always on it's way out can be done-in with a 4WD U-turn on dry pavement.