4wd auto

[iam_canadian22]

is there any negative side effect to running in the 4wd auto in the winter time? ive heard many chev guys blaming blown transfer cases on the auto setting, 1 ive never had a chev lol, and 2 this is my third ram and first with the auto setting so don't know if I should use it

 

[Sparkyy]

I only use auto on really crappy rainy/sleeting days. More so that if I need to punch it, I got instant 4x4 but it uses more gas in auto setting. Otherwise I stay in 2wd mode during winter.

 

[iam_canadian22]

I usually always use 2wd also and 4x when theres a good downfall of snow, im in northern Ontario and snow falls of min. 6 inches at a time are quite frequent, but theres no harm in switching to auto vs 4lock in those really snowy days? the rest of the time ill still use 2wd

 

[Truckit]

I don't like using the Auto position around town because it only engages after it senses slippage. I use it on the open roads when it goes from slippery to bare pavement frequently. I use 4wd high on snow covered roads. My boss uses Auto all the time on his 07 Laramie and hasn't had an issue in almost 340,000 kms.

 

[Alex]

I've honestly never used the Auto setting. I've been a professional driver now for 3 years running in Canadian winters, I just try and use my personal judgement. If I don't trust the roads, I'll suck it up and burn the extra gas in 4x4 lock. Either that or avoid driving if I don't have to. If it's like you say and the 4wd auto only engages after it detects slippage, I'm sure you know as well as I do that there's a good chance it's already too late to recover with how treacherous the roads can be up here. Good thing I have the RamBoxes with a ball hitch and 30' of tow rope haha

 

[Razzaa]

I have always used 4high when there is lots of snow on the roads

 

[dooramit]

When in 4WD Auto the transfer case stays engaged to the front end but the front hubs are still unlocked so there's no axle binding/harm. When the wheels slip the front hubs are then engaged until slipping is no longer present & then the computer unlocks them again.

For all models other than a Power Wagon, your front axle has an "open differential" allowing each side to spin at different speeds. So it is perfectly fine to run 4WD Auto. The only downfall is that more frequent hub lock/unlock cycles will shorten their lifespan.

The Power Wagon models come with electronic locking front & rear axle differentials which when locked is basically like having "posi traction" - all 4 tires are constantly locked. Works darn good in the fields though.

 

[dooramit]

Also, 4WD Auto is easier on components when driving on patchy roads where there's bare blacktop and snow/ice every quarter mile.

 

[kenwitter]

is there any negative side effect to running in the 4wd auto in the winter time? ive heard many chev guys blaming blown transfer cases on the auto setting, 1 ive never had a chev lol, and 2 this is my third ram and first with the auto setting so don't know if I should use it

I'm in southern Ontario and normally drive in 2wd. But once there is any snow, ice or sleet on the road I put it in 4Auto. My previous truck was a 2010 1500, and I traded it after putting 175,000 km on it in three years. Those were hard km, 75% of it towing. Never had an issue with the transfer case.

IMO you shouldn't have any issues using 4auto whenever you want that added layer of safety. After all, that's what it's there for. That's how i drove the old truck and that's how i'll drive the new one.

 

[65Bowtie]

I drove mine in Auto all the time last winter and in fact since I bought in Jan it was a major factor for me. I test drove the Chevy and their Auto is not nearly as smooth as the Ram in fact the Chevy is very abrupt and harsh when it engages and I cant even feel the Ram engage. Living in Alaska I have long winters and the added piece of mind of 4X4 is nice but not wasting the gas all the time and having it on demand and automatic is even better.

 

[KozzyJr]

^^^^^ FYI, dodge ford and GM al use the same transfer cases. doesn't matter if its a 3 speed or 4 speed t-case. they all use NEW Process T-cases. so the comment of dodge having a smoother transaction is probably due to a bad unbit. if your chevy was acting up more than likely the clutch packs or chain was pooched.

 

[65Bowtie]

The Chevy was a new truck I was considering at the same time I looked at the Ram. But my wife was the one to point out that it supprised her in the passenger seat.