Using 4WD question
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 195
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From: FL
Using 4WD question
Is there any harm at low speeds (<30mph or so) frequently switching between 2wd and 4wd? Had our first snow this AM and the first part of my commute is hilly, then a flat section which is well plowed, then a hilly part. In the past (pre-F250 days when I drove a Subaru clad w dedicated snow tires), the first and last parts of my commute were generally poorly plowed and hilly while the middle part often was bare pavement.
And these truck have alot more inertia than a Forrester!
And these truck have alot more inertia than a Forrester!
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
From: CA
You can switch between 2WD and 4WD at speeds of 50 MPH or less while decelerating or maintaining speed. ESOF or Manual, Either into or out of, with absolutely no issue.
You can direct Download the 4x4 Supplement for your year vehicle (actually 1984 thru 2015) from Ford.Com
You can direct Download the 4x4 Supplement for your year vehicle (actually 1984 thru 2015) from Ford.Com
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound
I shift back and forth all the time with no issue. Snow patches are pretty common a few days after the main event. I just ran 2WD the whole day yesterday, for the first time in a while.
When I'm in 4X4, I know I can go much faster, but I top out at about 50 on the long stretches. If I need 4X4 to accelerate and stay straight on the road, then I know my stopping distance and control isn't going to be up to par. I don't want to get myself into something I can't get out of.
When I'm in 4X4, I know I can go much faster, but I top out at about 50 on the long stretches. If I need 4X4 to accelerate and stay straight on the road, then I know my stopping distance and control isn't going to be up to par. I don't want to get myself into something I can't get out of.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,607
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
when it is slick outside, i leave the front hubs locked and the t-case in 2 wheel .then when i need 4 wheel drive i just let off the throttle and pull the shifter into 4 wheel. once back on clean road i let off again and kick the shifter back into 2 wheel. the plow trucks always have the front hubs locked.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,768
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From: East Tawas, MI
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2014
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Am I correct to assume that you guys are shifting a manual transfer case between 4/2wd while traveling at speed on the road?
I was under the impression that shifting a manual transfer case between 2/4wd should only happen while the vehicle is stationary and not moving.
Obviously the front hubs are locked, which would keep the front and rear driveshafts spinning at the same speed. It's new information to me if you guys are indeed shifting from 2wd to 4wd at driving speeds. I've shifted from 4wd to 2wd at speeds of 5mph and less, without issue -- but doing so while travelling at 30mph... I didn't know you could do that and never wanted to try for fear of breaking things.
I was under the impression that shifting a manual transfer case between 2/4wd should only happen while the vehicle is stationary and not moving.
Obviously the front hubs are locked, which would keep the front and rear driveshafts spinning at the same speed. It's new information to me if you guys are indeed shifting from 2wd to 4wd at driving speeds. I've shifted from 4wd to 2wd at speeds of 5mph and less, without issue -- but doing so while travelling at 30mph... I didn't know you could do that and never wanted to try for fear of breaking things.
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 10,750
Likes: 1,065
From: Douglassville, PA
My understanding is that my truck has ESOF (Electronic Shift on The Fly) 4WD and that it is safe to hit the switch at any speed as long as no wheel is spinning. When they say, "no wheel is spinning", they mean faster than any other wheel(s) or lost traction. I would hope that I would never end up in a situation where I'd have to do that at high speeds but If I had to I would. Would that be a mistake?
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