Hi all,

I purchased a 2016 F250 6.2 4x4 super cab with long bed. So far I love the truck; nice upgrade from my old 2000 F250 5.4 4x4. I'm taking the truck and Northstar 850C pop-top slide-in camper on a trip over the Oregon Cascade Mt. range in a few days and expect to run into a fair amount of snow. I've never owned a 4x4 with a shift on the fly. My question - how fast can I be going when I shift into 4-hi? When would you use the electronic locking differential, if at all, when driving in snow conditions? The owners manual doesn't give a lot of info. Thanks

 

If I were you, I'd manually lock in the hubs just before it gets real cold or you hit snow. The esof is pretty good in the newer trucks but the extreme cold and they may not hold the vacumn.


With the shift of the fly I would engage to 4 hi at any speed below 55 and not hard on the gas pedal, just let up a little and shift it into 4 hi.


4 lo is the same as always, trans in n, stopped and then switch to 4 lo.

 

I don't suggest you ever lock the differential if you're going more than about 5 mph. That is just me. In fact it may be designed to kill itself if you get moving at speed.

 

Thanks for the info; you answered another question I had which was when to use manual lock hubs verses auto. I wondered why you would need both.

 

The ability to manually lock the hubs is just a redundant feature, but does prove useful at times.

 

Thanks, after reading the OM a little closer I agree, looks like locking the differential would be beneficial to get you out of a slick situation from a dead-stop - not for using while traveling at highway speeds.

 

you can shift into 4-high at any speed, no limit like the old days.

The locking rear diff will automatically unlock at speeds above 25mph anyway...

 

This is my 4th truck with esof they don't recommend driving over 40 mph in 4 wheel drive. If you can go over 40 you really shouldn't need it, it's not helping at that point it's just eating gas. You can lock the differential in at any speed in 4 hi. 4 lo you have to stop put the truck in neutral wait a second then put truck in drive. Manual lock is more a back up if the auto fails to work for some reason at least that's what dealer said. My other trucks didn't have the manual wheel lock. On another note got to use mine tonight for just 7 miles and checked milage while in lost 1 mpg and that was all.

 

Who doesn't recommend it? Because Ford says any speed in 4 high.

Never have understood the thought process you have, I think it has to do with how the roads are maintained I suppose.

I've watched many trucks go flying off the highway because they decided to switch it into 2wd. Our roads are typically glare ice all winter long as they don't de-ice.

Go to change a lane and pass, go up hill on a curve..ect if you do this in 2wd you will loose traction and open yourself up to loosing it totally and going for a real ride....for what? saving 3 cents. Not worth it.

Mine stay locked in 4x4 no matter the speed if it's slick, been over 100 mph plenty of times with all my trucks in 4x4 with absolutely no issues, also doesn't use any more fuel then having the front hubs locked (which is 6 months out of the year here).

 

I'm thinking I would not want the rear locker on in ice and snow, at least while I was moving.

 

I drive in 4H at speeds above 40 MPH all the time in the winter. Doesn't hurt a thing.

 

If I'm in 2 wheel drive,I sometimes engage the rear locker to back in to my driveway if it's icy...that about it.I put mine in 4hi at any speed...As Long As my rear tires aren't spinning....( very important) If it looks or feels a little slick,I throw it into 4hi without hesitation. I never run weight in the back. I too see a bunch of guys off into the rubarb because they are way too macho to use 4x4 and keep it in 2 wheel drive. It's good to lock the front hubs in periodically just to turn things and keep them lubricated. I myself do it when I venture on an offroad situation,but it doesn't hurt to lock them in and drive around town...even on dry pavement,as long as its not engaged inside on the ****.