? about 4WD
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Joined: Jan 2010
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? about 4WD
I have a 2009 F-150, When I'm making a slow turn in 4High it feels like the truck is struggling in a very low gear, it will come to a stop if I dont stay on the gas.
Is this normal? I've never had this sensation before with another 4WD vehicle.
Also, up to what speed can I switch it to 4High? Do I have to have it in neutral when I do so?
Thanks guys
Is this normal? I've never had this sensation before with another 4WD vehicle.
Also, up to what speed can I switch it to 4High? Do I have to have it in neutral when I do so?
Thanks guys
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,392
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From: Dayton, TX
its just the front tires pulling. mine does it to. you can switch to 4-hi mode at any speed as long as the front and rear tires are turning at the same speed. like dont switch while your turning or if the back tires are spinning. the only time you have to go neutral to shift is if your going to 4-low and coming out of 4-low.
the manual says you shouldnt shift or drive in 4-hi after a certain speed (i think 60mph) but i use my when its raining on the highway. as long as the roads are wet then it wont cause a problem. i think 75 mph is the fastest i have shifted to 4-hi
the manual says you shouldnt shift or drive in 4-hi after a certain speed (i think 60mph) but i use my when its raining on the highway. as long as the roads are wet then it wont cause a problem. i think 75 mph is the fastest i have shifted to 4-hi
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: NC
DO NOT USE 4WD UNLESS YOU ARE ON SNOW, ICE, SAND, GRAVEL, ETC. YOU CAN AND WILL DAMAGE YOUR DRIVELINE!
One or both of the front wheels must be able to slip. In 4WD (this is not a full-time or all wheel drive system), you are asking the two front wheels to turn at the same speed. This works fine when going in a straight line. It does not work when you are turning, no matter how large the turn.
From the owner's manual:
Four–wheel drive (4WD) supplies power to all four wheels. 4WD should not be operated on dry pavement; driveline damage may occur.
If equipped with the Electronic Shift 4WD System, and 4X4 Low is selected while the vehicle is moving above 3 mph (5 km/h), the 4WD system will not perform a shift. This is normal and should be no reason for concern. Refer to Shifting to/from 4L (4X4 Low) for proper operation.
One or both of the front wheels must be able to slip. In 4WD (this is not a full-time or all wheel drive system), you are asking the two front wheels to turn at the same speed. This works fine when going in a straight line. It does not work when you are turning, no matter how large the turn.
From the owner's manual:
Four–wheel drive (4WD) supplies power to all four wheels. 4WD should not be operated on dry pavement; driveline damage may occur.
If equipped with the Electronic Shift 4WD System, and 4X4 Low is selected while the vehicle is moving above 3 mph (5 km/h), the 4WD system will not perform a shift. This is normal and should be no reason for concern. Refer to Shifting to/from 4L (4X4 Low) for proper operation.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: NC
Damn, busted again...
And quit accusing me of it! Why are you always picking on me?!?!?!?!
Cut and paste, baby! The only way to go...
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From: Oaks,PA
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I would not recommend running a truck in 4wd on dry pavement. You when you are turning, you are asking these wheels to travel different distances at the same time when locked together. It can break driveline parts. You are feeling the truck bind and when that happens, something has to give.
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Bleed Ford Blue
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Anchorage Alaska
hell you can run 4x4 on dry pavment, solong as you dont try to turn.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Ontario, OH
i may be slightly uneducated in the 4x4 department, but does the front axle work like the limited slip rear end? or is it a solid(well not solid, due to the independent suspension, but like a live axle with no LS)?
New User
Joined: Mar 2010
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I have always heard that a limited slip in the front is almost uncontrollable. It will pull in the direction of the wheel with the traction. On patches of ice, or whatever, this is a problem. You will be constantly counter steering. This gets old quick.
An open diff, on the other hand, divides the available pulling power between the left and right front wheels equally and will tend to pull straight ahead. Now what this means is that if the left front has the traction on ice to pull 20 lbs, the right front on clean asphalt will also only pull 20 lbs.
The open front diff has nothing to do with binding when turning unless you have some sort of locker diff in the front. It is the transfer case binding. Think about it. This binding occurs in 4WD. Shift the transfer case into 2WD. Problem solved.
An open diff, on the other hand, divides the available pulling power between the left and right front wheels equally and will tend to pull straight ahead. Now what this means is that if the left front has the traction on ice to pull 20 lbs, the right front on clean asphalt will also only pull 20 lbs.
The open front diff has nothing to do with binding when turning unless you have some sort of locker diff in the front. It is the transfer case binding. Think about it. This binding occurs in 4WD. Shift the transfer case into 2WD. Problem solved.
Junior User
Joined: May 2002
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From: Oceanside USA
Thought I would mention this - My Fx4 (not sure if all models have this) has traction control button, from what I have read in the manual, it sounds like it is better to just turn this off (has several settings too) when offroading in loose terrain. I have only put my truck in 4x4 once in deep sand and it felt like it didn't have much power but later learned that the brakes can automatically be applied to the wheels when loosing traction so this makes sense why it felt underpowered.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Marietta, GA
Hey all...I have a similar question. Where I park my truck, I need to put it in 4wd to back it in. I usually slip it into 4wd at the bottom of my driveway. I have to get out and lock the hubs and then shift into 4H. I back up the driveway and then "swing" it in between two trees on a dirt surface. I do have to turn the steering wheel all the way to get it into the "space." My question is this...the 4wd system seems to bind when the steering is at its limit; is this normal? (it still goes where it needs to, but seems to sort of "buck and shuck" into position.)