Hubs
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,964
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From: Virginia
Yes you can. It hurts your fuel mileage, and causes unnecessary wear in the front axle and driveshaft, but I know people who leave them in all winter, and unlock them in the summer. If I lived in a place where it snows a lot, I would probably leave them locked in all the time too.
I have learned also, if there is the slightest chance you might get stuck going somewhere, go ahead and lock them beforehand, even though you may not need 4x4. I have been in a situation where I suddenly was stuck on a hill, and needed the 4x4, and I needed to get out to lock in the hubs, but the truck would not stay put and slide with the e-brake. It would only sit still if I held the brake pedal. It was a bad situation and I had no choice but to let it drift into a wire fence so it would sit, and then get out and lock the hubs, and then get myself out.
Remember also, there are many many SUV's now that are AWD, and their frontends are locked in and turning all the time, year round. It's a balance between convenience and practicality vs fuel mileage.
I have learned also, if there is the slightest chance you might get stuck going somewhere, go ahead and lock them beforehand, even though you may not need 4x4. I have been in a situation where I suddenly was stuck on a hill, and needed the 4x4, and I needed to get out to lock in the hubs, but the truck would not stay put and slide with the e-brake. It would only sit still if I held the brake pedal. It was a bad situation and I had no choice but to let it drift into a wire fence so it would sit, and then get out and lock the hubs, and then get myself out.
Remember also, there are many many SUV's now that are AWD, and their frontends are locked in and turning all the time, year round. It's a balance between convenience and practicality vs fuel mileage.
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