If you own a four-wheel-drive vehicle, you will want to go over how to properly use it. You might have questions about how fast you can drive in the 4×4 High range and what differentiates that system from the 4×4 Low range.
Every auto manufacturer has slightly different guidelines, but the general rule is to not go faster than 55 mph while in the 4WD High range.
4WD should only be activated when there is little traction, and you wouldn’t want to exceed those speeds anyway. 4WD Low is designed for 10 mph or less in most cases.
I am going to walk you through some of the differences between these two systems and if you head on the road too fast. Finally, I will talk about some of the basics to the 4×4 High systems.
Difference Between 4×4 High vs. 4×4 Low
Your 4×4 vehicle provides the option of 4WD High and 4WD Low. How do you know which option you should use and when? The most significant difference to realize is the gearing between the two.
In 4WD High, the vehicle uses direct gearing to power the wheels, while the 4WD Low system uses gear reduction for more traction and power.
The special gearing is utilized to make it easier to multiply engine torque, much like when you ride your bicycle up a hill. Once you shift down into a lower gear, you provide more power which allows you to “climb” up the hill.
When you drive in 4X4 Low at a lower speed, it is easier to keep the required power without the vehicle stalling. Plus, it limits you to a lower speed so that you do not damage the vehicle when it is across any rough terrain when traveling over larger obstacles.
If you feel comfortable traveling approximately ten mph in 4WD Low, you may like to speed up a little and switch to 4WD High instead. And you can always switch back if you start to lose traction or need to slow down from there.
Does 4×4 High Hurt the Vehicle?
When used correctly, 4WD High will not harm the vehicle. You simply cannot use four-wheel-drive for any reason you want. As mentioned above, you can engage 4WD if the vehicle is starting to lose traction, like hitting dirt, mud, or snow.
That said, if you use the system during sharp turns, you could cause improper wear or damage. Energy can bind up in the drivetrain and create costly repairs.
While the vehicle is in four-wheel-drive, the front axle and the rear axle of the vehicle no longer turn at different speeds when taking a turn.
The energy will either be expelled with the spinning of the wheels or it will bind up in the transfer case which is bad. If you notice the wheels are hopping in 4WD for no reason, this explains what is going on.
Should You Drive in 4×4 High All the Time?
You shouldn’t use 4×4 High driving mode while driving. This can cause damage to the drivetrain as the energy builds up. There is no reason to cause excessive wear when conditions are suitable to drive normally in the first place.
There isn’t a reason to be in 4WD High all the time anyway. If you’re going over 55 mph, chances are, you aren’t having troubles maintaining traction or control over the vehicle.
4WD not only created more wear on the system, it’s going to cause you to burn more fuel. There is no reason to spend more on fuel or repairs than what is necessary.
What about Full-Time 4WD?
You might be wondering why a full-time 4×4 can drive at any speed without breakage. With a Land Rover or 4×4 Toyota, things are a bit different though.
These types of cars have a center differential that separates the power between the two axles, which is similar to what the diff does.
Having this center differential means that your power can go to the axle with less grip; therefore, both axles can turn at different speeds.
So remember, when you are using the center differential in a 4×4 vehicle, they aren’t operating like the vehicle with standard 4WD High, and you’re not going to have damage like you would in a standard 4WD High.
How 4WD High Affects the Vehicle?
#1. Braking.
When driving on road with less traction in 4WD High, it’s going to take you more time to brake. This time will definitely, increase. For this reason you want to make sure your following distance is adjusted to allow for more time.
On low traction roads you may be twice the amount of time to stop, if possible you would want to follow as far back as you can. This will also be accomplished if you ask the car who is following you too close to go around to come up your side.
#2. Handling.
Expect to notice a difference in your stopping power, as well as your vehicle’s handling. If you are driving across a low-traction road with 4WD High engaged, you will see some differences in handling.
Your steering system is not going to respond the same way it does when you are driving across a dry highway surface. In fact, you may notice a tendency toward understeering, which can easily turn into a lack of control.
To avoid an accident, it is recommended to avoid any sudden moves necessary. Instead of a large, jerky steering motion, you would like to make small continuous adjustments to the steering if needed. You would also need to be light on the throttle.
#3. Cornering.
You should consider the consequences of cornering. On a low traction surface, the turn will be a very different experience and much less smooth and comfortable than you are used to.
When in a turn, your car could easily lose traction and if you are not controlling the car, there is a chance you could go off road.
Because of this, it is important to slow the speed down if you do not feel comfortable. You also want to be cautious to steer aggressive and brake hard, unless it is really needed.
It is good practice to drive like you would drive before the road got bad and before you needed 4WD. As much as possible you want to learn how to brake progressive and steer small motions. Distance to other vehicles during turns is also important to focus on.