Do I drive in 4WD High or Low for snow? Do I turn it on when still or starting to drive? Getting snow....?

Question

I have asked a few people and gotten different answers. I do not want to mess my truck up either. We are getting heavy snow here in Ohio and I have to do some must do errands in town here. Is it better to use high or low 4WD and which is for what? Also do I switch to it while still or in motion?

Answer 1

You would use 4WD high. The low range is for off road and slow speeds.

Depending on the vehicle that you have shifting either way should be fine. Some cars/trucks have manual hubs, that require you to go outside and dial the wheel into 4 wheel. If yours has an automatic hub, then you just need to shift it into 4 wheel.

good luck -- drive safe.

Answer 2

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RE:
Do I drive in 4WD High or Low for snow? Do I turn it on when still or starting to drive? Getting snow....?
I have asked a few people and gotten different answers. I do not want to mess my truck up either. We are getting heavy snow here in Ohio and I have to do some must do errands in town here. Is it better to use high or low 4WD and which is for what? Also do I switch to it while still or in motion?

Answer 3

In 4 low you will only be able to travel about 5-10 mph depending on your vehicle. In 4 high you can trvel at road speeds usually up to about 50mph. Some vehicles can shift on the fly(while moving). If you are not sure, stop first and shift into 4wd. Remember to shift out of 4wd if tehre in no snow or wet roads, as dry roads will cause damage to 4wd by binding up the drive train. Hope this helps, adn teh best thing for driving in snow is always slow down!!

Answer 4

4 Wheel Drive Low

Answer 5

If you are on a road, use 4WD high. If off road, use 4WD low. You won't mess up your truck by using the wrong one, it's a ratio of torque vs speed and gas mileage.

Switching while still or in motion depends entirely on your particular truck. Find your user manual and look up 4WD or transmission. This is the part which is really important to get right. I screwed up a Jeep Grande Cherokee by switching while still.

Answer 6

4WD high is the answer you need. Your owner's manual
covers switching between 2WD & 4WD. You can expect it
to read "switch to or from 4Hi while moving at or below 50
mph." Its also a good idea to do it with front wheels straight
ahead (even if it isn't necessary.) 4Lo is for climbing hills at
low speed. Shifting to or from 4Lo should be done EXACTLY
as the manual specifies (probably barely moving in neutral.)

Answer 7

If you need to get out of a snow pack or a pile of snow than you can use low to get out of it. BUt you dont want to drive on the road using low. Low is for towing very heavy things short distances, and off roading. But if you are parked somewhere and there is snow around the tires and stuff and you need to get over the snow and you cant do it in high than you try low.

Answer 8

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Hi. I dont know about your particular model truck but i'll explain my understanding. 4 wheel drive vehicles don't always have all four wheels rotating at the same speed. 4 wheel drive "high" is for use on the road and just putting around on the farm and such. In this mode, all four wheels will have power transmitted to them thru the transfer case, but the vehicle has to make adjustments; like when making turns. Say you are making a "right" turn. Your right front tire will rotate 4 or 5 times (depending on the circumference) of the tire while at the same time your left front tire will rotate 6 or 7 times to complete the turn because it is turning on the outside of the radius of the turn. Your vehicle has to compensate for one wheel turning more or less. Then you use 4wd "low" for a lower range of gears in your truck. Usually for more pulling power on a slick surface. Top speed in low range is about 35 mph. Of course you'll notice increased engine rpm's because your in a lower gear range within the transmission of your vehicle. Whether your in 4 wheel drive high or low and you step on the accelorator hard on a slippery surface, you probably notice only the right rear wheel spins along with the left front....and your "in" 4 wheel drive mode. This is part of the compensation your transmission is designed to do. Then you also have 4 wheel drive "lock". This is designed for "true" 4 wheel drive, usually on the low range, and for use on soft surfaces only (mud,gravel,snow,sand). Do not drive your truck on hard dry pavement in 4wheel drive lock. As you make turns your tires will "chunk" and the torque of the tires turning on pavement will tear up the gears inside the transfer case of your 4 wheel drive system. Because, no matter which way you turn, if you are in 4 wheel drive lock, your 4 wheel drive system is "Locked up" for true and absolute 4 wheel drive, but your outside tire will want to turn more. Try 4wd low on some mud or wet grass. Then try 4wd lock on the same mud or wet grass. You'll quickly figure out what i am talking about. Hope this helps. Good Luck!!!

Answer 9

Use 4whl hi for road driving. Most vehicles you need to be sitting still to engage properly, but this depends on the type system you have. Check your owner's manual if you have it, or call your local dealership for best answer.

Remember too, when driving in snow or rain, please turn on your headlights to make you easier to see.

Answer 10

Don't ever put your vehicle in four wheel drive while in motion put it on either in neutral or park!!!