Hey everyone. A month ago I ordered my dream truck a 2011 F-150 FX4 Super Cab 5.0L V8. And I was just thinking about this today...This is only my 3rd vehicle ever and the first 4WD I've ever owned.

Living in West Texas my 4WD won't be used to often. We do get a Snow/Ice storm every now and then during the winter months. So the majority of my 4X4 usage will be during the winter. The rest of the time it'll most likely be on hiatus.

My question is about the 4WD systems lubricants and all that good stuff. Since I won't be using it to terribly often, do I need to run it every now then just make sure it circulates lube and all that stuff? Or will it be fine just waiting till the winter months to use it?

Also what other ''extra'' maintence is associated with owning a 4WD?

Thanks for any helpful anwsers.

-Nate-

 

This is a great question.

I try to "cycle" my 4wd system at least once a month, and will only do it on a gravel road or an open field...never on dry, or even wet pavement. Still not enough slip on those surfaces.
This is much easier in the Fall when I'm back and forth to hunt camp, but luckily there are a few places not far from my house where I can get onto gravel for a few hundred feet. Enough time to let the fluids work where they need.

 

You can flip it on every once and awhile if it makes you feel better. But the honest truth is that it will be slowley turning even when its disengaged. Front half shafts turn continously so those bearings will see lubrication.

Transfercase is still turning even if the front drive shaft sectin is not engaged. I haven not had the chance to crawl under my truck at 60mph to confirm that the front drive shaft is spining slowly, but from my experiance in other similar situations it will. Just due to drag in the bearings and friction surfaces even when disingaged.

So yes its better to turn it on once and while than not to at all. But in the reality of things it doesnt matter.

My 99 barley ever gets put into 4wd. Winters only and the occasional muddy road. (Very Rarley) But at 225k on the original 4wd system, it hasnt failed me yet. Clicks in every time.

 

If it is an electric shift transfer it is good to shift it in and out every now and then. Ever had to beat on a rear door panel to get the power window to roll down because it never gets used? Now imagine that except your truck is buried in the mud. Burnstoughford those results are pretty hard to argue with but it does make me feel all warm inside to check it every once and awhile

 

I run mine once a month on a straight road when I haven't used it in a while, you won't bind your system if you're driving on a straight level road. Then I shut if off before I plan on making any turns.

 

I'm with running it once a month on a straight road and turning it off before making any turns. There aren't a ton of dirt/gravel roads around.

 

Mine gets used about once a month at the beach. I also turn it on sometimes if its raining really hard on the highways, most of the roads here are pretty straight. But then again its hasnt really rained hard here in over 6 months.