The owners manual for my 2005, 4x4, diesel says that driving the truck on clear roads with it in 4 wheel drive can damage it. I don't want to damage the truck but I do like the security of 4 wheel drive when the roads are patched ice, snow or clear. How is the best way to use my 4x4 in mixed conditions. Also, the hubs are auto & lock, Is auto the best setting for mixed driving like this.
Thanks, John

 

mine says the same thing, but up here in alaska it's either 4x4 or wreck. I've been in 4x4 since some time in october/november and no problems yet.

 

I would leave them in auto. Maybe it is me (grew up in Canada with a 2wd truck), but I have only had to have my truck in 4wd on the highway once and don't see the point of having it in 4wd when you are driving any faster than about 35mph. Even in winter weather I don't run mine in 4wd. I do lock my hubs just incase but mine are Free or Lock. If the road is really bad, then put it in 4wd, if not, you are just wasting gas and wear and tear on the truck.

 

as long as you are not making hard turns and binding the 4x4 you should be fine....
it's not the BEST conditions for use...

but just so long as there is SOME slippage u should be fine...

remember though, 4x4 does NOT help your braking, and only marginally helps the turns

 

My F 150 manual warns against driving under any conditions in 4 wd at speeds over 45 mph . but it is a '78.

In 27 years I have only found it necessary to use 4x4 on the highway or open roads once when there was 16" of snow on the road .

With good tires and a little weight in the box to balance the load on the drive line I much prefer 2 wd in winter espically on ice or hard pack snow .

Try 4x4 with 12.5 X 36 mudders on the winter highways and check out the kind of steering and stopping capabilities you posess and you will soon discover why I prefer 2 wd. Same reason I will not drive ABS brakes . Standard brakes stop shorter when used properly under all conditions except dry bare pavement where they are about an even match .

Only a small percentage of my driving has ever been on bare dry pavement so far so no thanks to those as well .