Exercise your 4H/4L

i'll throw another dumb question since we're in full swing. how can i tell if things are binding? this is my first 4wd so everything feels new to me. would hate to find out later that i've been binding all along lmao.

 

You'll feel resistance as you're turning a corner. You might hear the tires chirp a little as they lose traction. This would be on pavement or anytime you have 4wd engaged but don't really need the extra traction.

 

This. It’s not subtle.

 

are we talking resistance in the steering?

 

It will literally not want to make a very tight turn, or do so with considerable difficulty, and you will hear the tires chattering.

 

Yes. Your first reaction will be “what the hell is going on?” It will feel weird and not right until you all of a sudden realize you left your 4wd engaged.

 

gotcha. the sensation I was feeling was I had to put more effort in turning the wheel back straight after a turn. it was a slow turn into my driveway. turned it right back to 2H after that lmao.

 

With the transfer case engaged, the steering wheel will not snap back to center with pressing the gas like it would if you are in rear wheel drive.

 

As a newbie*, thanks for this thread...very helpful. Wondering if any of you could help with a point of clarification:

-- I get the need to drive in 4H/4L at least monthly -- but is there a recommended distance or amount of time needed on that monthly drive for it to work it's magic? (I did my 3-mile trip to work this morning in 4H, and tooled around a bit in the parking lot in 4L when I got there...is that enough?)

Thanks in advance.

* New to 4WD...but between the ones I have bought for myself and for my daughter, this is my fourth 4Runner!

 

You are only driving straight in 4H and 4L?

 

Manual recommends 10 miles a month.

 

I found a nice 6 mile straight stretch on the way to work. The 1st and 15th of every month, I throw it in 4H.
Will still change fluid when I do the rear diff for consistency even though it won't need it.

 

And if you have the factory locker make sure you activate it at least once a month . I know someone who didn’t activate his for years and then one day he went to and it was froze up .

 

I put it on 4H, 10 miles, twice a month.

 

sometimes once a week.

 

I toss mine in 4H every monday on my way to work for about a mile. Ive never used the 4L so probably a good idea to try it in the driveway this weekend.

 

Is exercising 4H the same as exercising 4L? Or should they be done separately?

 

I just added a monthly calendar reminder to do this for my 2011 Limited.

 

To ensure I always get the reminder, I joined my local TLCA chapter, and we wheel monthly. It's a double benefit!

 

I believe the general consensus is activating 4H, 4L, and the locker fairly often is best. That's what I try to do, as they all need to be activated periodically. Of course, activating 4H while driving on the street in a straight line is the easiest, and can be done more often.

 

Are these lights normal when going into 4L?

 

Yup. No traction control, no VSC, 4wd light and low range light.

 

Trac off light will disappear when you engage A-Trac....just FYI

 

All systems GO!

 

Yep and on 2020+ the pre-collision and lane departure lights illuminate too to indicate disablement. Easy to miss an "abnormal" warning light (like leaving the parking brake on) amongst the christmas tree.