Trailblazer's wheels bind when making turns when 4HI is engaged - is this normal?

Question

So I'm still getting used to my new Trailblazer (I used to have a RAV4 with AWD that I never had to worry about 'switching' into 4WD). Anyway, so there was snow on the ground last night up here in good ol' NH, so I put my truck in 4HI and it seemed that everytime I made a turn, my wheels would bind and hop if you will. It was so annoying and just didn't feel right. My husband said I should have only put it in 4HI if I was stuck and that I should keep it in 2WD even when it's snowing. I'm so confused - I though 4WD was supposed to help you when driving in snow!? As much as I love everything else about my Trailblazer, this whole 2WD, A4WD, 4HI, and 4LO thing is driving me insane! My RAV4 was always a nice smooth drive and did much better in the snow.. Can anyone offer me some advice on when to use 4WD on the Trailblazer?

Thanks so much everyone - you've all really explained it better to me! I guess I had it in my mind that the Rav's AWD was 'safer' than using the Trailblazer's 2WD while driving in some snow.

Answer 1

I have a blazer with A4wd,4HI and 4LO. It is normal for your 4HI to be binding and hopping at low speeds. I usually keep it in 2WD in light snow. A4WD when I am driving on slick roads, and 4HI when I am stuck or it is VERY bad out. Never use 4LO uless you are towing something, it will just dig you in deeper if you are stuck.

Your A4WD on your trailblazer is the same thing as AWD on your RAV4 so use that if you are a bit quezy about 4WD. The nice thing about your trailblazer is that you can switch out of A4WD to 2HI when roads are good and get better gas miliage.

Just remember 4WD keeps you from loosing traction WHILE MOVING. It does not help you stop. I see too many people hit the brakes on their 4WD and wonder why they ended up in a ditch.

Answer 2

4 wheel drive should only be used when you need to drive all four wheels - like when you're stuck, or are starting out from a stop on a slippery place, or pulling a boat out of the water, etc.

4 wheel drive engaged when you're just driving - whether in the snow or whatever, is not helpful in the slightest, and can be harmful to the vehicle. You do not get any better traction or stopping power in 4 wheel drive at normal driving speeds.

The folks who throw their vehicle into 4 wheel drive and then drive through snow as if they were driving on dry pavement are the ones who generally end up stuck in the median or on the shoulder. (Not a fallacy: take a look at the wrecked vehicles next time it snows - notice how many are 4WD trucks and SUVs?)

The Trailblazer is designed to use 4 wheel drive only for getting out of a slippery situation, and the grinding noise will occur if you make too tight a turn with the front wheels engaged.

Answer 3

Trailblazer Wheels

Answer 4

The andvantage of your Trailblazer vs your Rav4 is that the Rav4 doesnt have the different gearing your trail blazer does. Your rav4 will get you out of simple terraine but your trailblazer is capable of going through extreme conditions and hills so the gearing of the transmission and differentials is not as conservative as your RAV4 for everyday driving...

Unless you really need the front wheels to drive you out or for slippery conditions there is no need to put in 4H. 4L is for extreme uphill climbing. Putting it in 4L will give you a feedback of extremem pulling, thats the gearing helping pull the vehicle up just like you would put in low gears on a 10 speed bicycle or mountain bike. It makes it easier to peddle up the hills or for climbing.

Hope that helps a lilttle...

Answer 5

4x4 and AWD are to diff. things. Your front end is hopping when you turn on a surface that offers traction. Both the inside and outside tires are rotating at the same rate but while cornering have to travel different distances. (outside tire must go farther) This causes one side to lose its grip on the road and hop. On ice this effect is less noticed because the tire can spin smoothly. All wheel drive lets wheels turn independantly while cornering avoiding wheel hop. AWD is not nearly as effective as 4x4 in say deep snow or mud but is pretty good on ice. Just remember that just because you can accelerate faster in 4x4 or AWD, you won't be able to stop any faster!

Answer 6

Yes that is normal when making tight low speed turns. If its light snow I would keep it 2 wd drive. For heavy snow I would use 4wd. If you have 4wd you might as well use it, why take a chance getting stuck?