Notices
1999 - 2016 Super Duty 1999 to 2016 Ford F250, F350, F450 and F550 Super Duty with diesel V8 and gas V8 and V10 engines
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Real Truck

Should you exercise 4x4

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 15, 2015 | 04:51 PM
  #1  
CR3999!'s Avatar
CR3999!
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 445
Likes: 2
From: College Station, TX
Question Should you exercise 4x4

This is my first 4x4. I've had this truck now for seven months and I've never put it in four wheel drive.
Should you put it in 4x4 mode? If so how long and how often? Heck, I not really sure how, except turn the **** to 4H and go. Thanks guys.
 
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2015 | 05:13 PM
  #2  
kendall66's Avatar
kendall66
5th Wheeling
10 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 45
Likes: 1
From: northwest iowa
I would run it in 4x4 every 6 months for a mile or two to work the bearing grease around.
 
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2015 | 05:28 PM
  #3  
sxrfun's Avatar
sxrfun
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 661
Likes: 8
From: Ontario , Canada
Yes....I do mine every month or so.....rainy day, straight drive put in in 4 hi and go for a bit. Remember don't be taking corners on pavement while in 4x4 and I think the max speed at witch you should engage it is 55 mph or 85 km/h or something like that. Another option is turn the hubs to lock and leave switch in 2 wheel drive every so often and drive around.
 
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2015 | 05:36 PM
  #4  
seville009's Avatar
seville009
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 47
I do it up my driveway once in awhile during the summer - 600ft straight shot. One reason is to listen for strange noises, as I rather catch it in the summer instead of when I actuslly need it.
 
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2015 | 08:47 PM
  #5  
Army RET's Avatar
Army RET
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 6
From: Alabama
Now that y'all have mentioned it, why is it called electronic shift on the fly when the two times I've shifted mine into 4wd (high or low I forget) it demanded I first shift to N?
 
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2015 | 09:12 PM
  #6  
cgs500's Avatar
cgs500
New User
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Army RET
Now that y'all have mentioned it, why is it called electronic shift on the fly when the two times I've shifted mine into 4wd (high or low I forget) it demanded I first shift to N?
You need to have it in neutral in order to select low range.
 
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2015 | 05:11 AM
  #7  
seville009's Avatar
seville009
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 47
Originally Posted by Army RET
Now that y'all have mentioned it, why is it called electronic shift on the fly when the two times I've shifted mine into 4wd (high or low I forget) it demanded I first shift to N?
High range is shift on the fly up to 50mph (but I've always done it coasting at probably no more than 15 mph).

If you tried doing that for 4lo, you'd probably tear apart alot of stuff. If you need 4lo, you're not going to be moving very fast anyway.
 
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2015 | 08:06 AM
  #8  
RangersF250's Avatar
RangersF250
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 49
Likes: 3
From: Aberdeen, NC
Stupid question here. When do you lock the hubs? I have "exercised" my 4x4 in hi, lo, and the electric rear. All work just fine and I have never locked the hubs. You realize very quickly you're in 4x4 when you turn a corner.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-5

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-9

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Oct 16, 2015 | 08:19 AM
  #9  
Army RET's Avatar
Army RET
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 6
From: Alabama
Originally Posted by seville009
High range is shift on the fly up to 50mph (but I've always done it coasting at probably no more than 15 mph).

If you tried doing that for 4lo, you'd probably tear apart alot of stuff. If you need 4lo, you're not going to be moving very fast anyway.

OK, my two cases were trying to back my fifth wheel while I was on wet grass.
 
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2015 | 08:23 AM
  #10  
seville009's Avatar
seville009
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 47
Originally Posted by RangersF250
Stupid question here. When do you lock the hubs? I have "exercised" my 4x4 in hi, lo, and the electric rear. All work just fine and I have never locked the hubs. You realize very quickly you're in 4x4 when you turn a corner.
Mainly if the auto hubs are not working. I lock mine tho at the beginning of each winter and leave them locked. On one truck, my auto hubs stopped working years ago.
 
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2015 | 08:29 AM
  #11  
seville009's Avatar
seville009
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 47
It's also a good idea to lock and unlock the hubs maybe once a month just to make sure the dial doesn't get gunked up and becomes unusable. You don't have to drive around with it locked; just move the dial between lock and unlock a few times.
 
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2015 | 09:47 AM
  #12  
TeachNlive4ever's Avatar
TeachNlive4ever
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,350
Likes: 7
From: Garland, Tx
I bought my 06 SD in april. The auto hubs didn't work but did lock in at the hub. I finished rebuilding my hubs and knuckles last night and also fixed the auto hubs. It all works great now.
Lock em in periodicaly so you'll know you have it when you need it
 
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2015 | 03:52 PM
  #13  
CR3999!'s Avatar
CR3999!
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 445
Likes: 2
From: College Station, TX
If you keep the hubs locked. Does that mean your in four wheel drive? Or does that just keep the insides turning? So the AUTO is so you don't have to get out and turn the hubs to be able to get in 4x4?
 
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2015 | 03:56 PM
  #14  
seville009's Avatar
seville009
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 47
Originally Posted by CR3999!
If you keep the hubs locked. Does that mean your in four wheel drive? Or does that just keep the insides turning? So the AUTO is so you don't have to get out and turn the hubs to be able to get in 4x4?
The front shaft turns because the wheels are turning, but there's no power to the wheels until you actually turn the 4 wheel drive **** inside.

Yes - the auto is to save having to get outside and lock the hubs. As I said, my auto hubs stopped working years ago, so I just manually lock them at the beginning if each winter
 
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2015 | 12:06 PM
  #15  
FX4ALL's Avatar
FX4ALL
Mountain Pass
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 212
Likes: 48
From: South Jersey
I run it once every other month along with manually engaging the hubs and 4low. Just turn onto one of the local farmers dirt roads and go for a few hundred feet.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:21 AM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-4
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE