From everything I have read regarding "part time 4WD", the consensus is not to use it on "dry" payment. In the land of snow, I often drive 30 to 40 miles in snow, slush and snow, slush, and just nasty wet. Rear wheel drive only makes me uncomfortable in ALL these scenarios so I go down the highway in 4WD at usually no more than 60 mph and mostly straight line driving. I know about drive line binding-at least the explanation of it, but how much of an issue is using 4WD on pavement without 100% dry pavement traction? I guess a better question is "how does the X 4WD hold up in these scenarios?" I understand the binding, for instance, like making a turn into a parking place for instance--the right and left wheels should move at different rpms but cannot due to locked hubs and differential. However, since the drive lines are synchronized, shouldn't driving fairly straight and with minor turns be reasonably ok with the understanding that major corrections could be dangerous?

After studying this for a while, I am firmly convinced that my previous X flipped because of rpm differences on an icy road between front and rear wheels when I did the ESOF to 4WD, even below 50 mph. Irregardless of how I manage 4WD use on slippery pavement, there will never be another transition into 4WD on the fly while moving more than about 15 mph or less on compromised surfaces. I feel like a dummy but it never occurred to me. Hopefully, my misfortune may help someone else from hanging upside down.

 

So this is my thoughts

1.) If you can drive anything over about 40 mph then there is no need for 4x4. You are just spinning stuff way to fast that was not designed to spin at hwy speeds. An AWD or Full time 4wd system was designed to do it, a part time system was not.

2.) 4lo = 0-10mph 4hi = 10-30mph. 4x4 is only engaged on dirt or snow.

3.) Even with shift on the fly systems, I won't throw them into 4x4 over like 10mph

4x4 is for traction. Pulling out of a snowy driveway, pulling the boat up a ramp, off-road trails.

4x4 does nothing to make you stop better, I would argue that it really does nothing at speeds over 40 in snow/slick conditions. You momentum is up and you're rolling already. It does help with handling some, hence why rally cars are AWD. But in a full size rig at 60 on snow, if you need the added control of 4x4 you'll probably end up in the ditch either way unless you have Ken Block like driving skills.

You said slush and snow, slush, and just nasty wet. Rear wheel drive only makes me uncomfortable in ALL these scenarios

My suggestion is find a giant empty parking lot when it snows and get comfortable. I was taught by my Dad as a teenager how to slide and drift a truck in dirt and snow. And still as a shirt and tie professional adult love nothing more than sliding around in an empty parking lot after a snow storm.

Being comfortable with the vehicle sliding, pitched sideways has save me from multiple accidents over the years.

 

I flick my switch at speeds higher than 40 multiple times per winter and nary a problem.

It is untrue that 4wd above 40 mph in slick conditions is useless. Come take a ride with me if you do not want to try it for yourself.

 

Gotta agree with Ben the immortal. I drive in snow plenty of times and either I turn switch on my Exc or pull lever in truck at hwy speeds. with no problems whatsoever. I never use 4lo however because its not needed in snow.

 

My Ex is locked in 4x4 from Late October to April most years weather dependent. I've gone well in excess of 100mph in 4x4 high without issue multiple times. If the parking lot looks real dry I'll pop it in 2wd or if it's a real tight corner and the road looks dry I'll do the same but typically I'll just try not to make such a tight turn and just go wide.

Yes the Ex will be fine, Just use common sense and you'll be good to go.

Also I treat all my 4x4 trucks this way and have never had a 4x4 repeated part issue at all.

I would argue and I should take a vid of this this winter because I know it to be true with the Ex. Along with running dedicated snow tires running in 4x4 with both axles locked together you do stop better. If you are in 2wd the front will start locking up and the rear will keep rolling like nothing is happening. But when you lock it in 4x4 you now have 50/50 braking power on both axles meaning if the front locks the rear will also, it makes a huge difference. Plus it's amazing how bad the front want's to understeer when in 2wd in slick conditions, this does not happen in 4x4 and they are pulling you through the corner.

 

This is absolutely ridiculous! When in 2wd going up a hill in a curve you can break loose the rear end VERY easily at highway speed and I've seen it put many trucks in the ditch because the driver was too much of a tough guy to use his 4x4 as designed.

Another example is making a pass, soon as you give it gas to go around the slow moving car/truck you will break the rear end loose no doubt about it. When I pass I floor it as I want to get around the slow mover as fast as possible.

Running in 4x4 on the highway or any slick condition at any speed is much safer then 2wd!

 

Well I feel better about my thinking now on the subject. I have never had any problem driving highway speeds in 4WD on dry pavement. I just read a few articles (mostly about Jeeps) with admonitions that apocalyptic events would ensue should you drive in 4WD on regular pavement. I don't really have a choice where I live. In some cases when we're having 30-35 mph crosswinds and some 45 mph+ gusts, I put it in 4WD as it feels more stable and doesn't get pushed around very much. It seemed that some articles were basically saying the only thing you should drive on the highway with poor conditions is an AWD equipped vehicle which I thought was rather stupid based on the design of "some" AWD systems.

 

I see no benefit of putting it in 4x4 on dry pavement and not a great idea, but as long as you don't turn you'll won't hurt anything.

Here is a few examples of conditions I have the truck in 4x4.

 

You want to learn about how to drive in slippery

>>>>go drive on a lake in winter. Literally ice covered with snow. When you master than, then we can talk!

 

Now that is the fun stuff!!! But it's no different then our winter roads...

 

Agreed
Almost better on the ice, you don't hit dry spots

 

I was pulling my 30' travel trailer over Donner pass (I-80 in CA near NV) two winters ago in February when it was snowing really good and they had chain control in place (which means you must have either a 4wd with snow tires on all 4 or chains on the drive wheels). According to the Caltrans website that my friend was looking at on the way to the checkpoint, we were supposed to have chains on the truck and trailer even though it's 4wd. When we got to the checkpoint he only cared that I had electric brakes and 4wd and didn't care about the chains for some reason. So that explains how I ended up crossing Donner pass in a snowstorm without chains and lived to tell the tale.

Anyway... It started to get a squirrelly at around 30 or 35 and I found that clicking it into 4wd really helped straighten it out going down the road. It felt much more connected to the road and stopped misbehaving.

Every time I would hit the brakes, the trailer brakes would lock up and the trailer would start to slide off the road but that's another story...

I also grew up in the northeast, in an area that gets a lot more snow than the vast majority of the rest of the northeast, and I know a thing or two about driving in the snow. I HIGHLY recommend doing donuts in snow-covered parking lots to learn how to lose and re-gain control of your vehicle. It sounds teenager-like, but it is an great way to gain valuable experience. I did this a lot when I was a kid because it was fun, but it really taught me to be a better driver. I just didn't know it at the time.

 

That's a great point....yes.
Learn where your vehicle lose traction.
Where and how and how to get it back

 

Same here, I've had my 4x4 Ex for 7 years now and no issue using it this way. The owners manual tells you not to exceed 55 mph in 4x4 if I recall. If it's not 55, it's close to it. I've noticed that driving in snow in 4x4 at any safe speed that the front axle pulling helps when changing lanes over rutted snow/ice. If it's slick and rutted, I apply a little throttle and the front tires dig in.

I've also read that if you switch the ESOF switch a few times that there may be a delay in the actual engagement, so switch wisely.

 

I believe the 55 mph you're referring to is the speed you shouldn't exceed when shifting into 4Hi. The manual doesn't state anything about maximum operating speed of 4Hi.