4wd Questions

[BrianMac]

Hey guys,
Picked up my first truck last weekend. 2012 Ram 1500, with the Big Horn Package. I'm stoked!!! With it being my first truck tho I am a little unsure/cautious with 4wd. I have the 5 position transfer case (knob by the radio). I saw a video on youtube on how to use, but still had some questions...So here they go...Am I able to switch from 2wd to 4wdAuto and 4WDLock while having the transmission in drive? Am I required to turn the knob back to 2wd when turning off the truck? Or can I leave it in 4wd at all times? And is it best to be in 4wd lock when it is extremely icy out or 4wd auto? and is there an tricks or notes that I should be aware of? thanks in advance

 

[Burla]

Can't leave it in 4x4 all the time, pavement will chew your tires up. You can go from 2wd to 4wd at a reasonable speed, but I believe you should be stopped and in N before going into 4wd low. You can be in either low or high in snow, but I prefer high where the gear doesn't snap like low. 4wd doesn't really do chit on ice, just snow and mud. 4wd low is really just for wheeling.

 

[Exhausted]

First question yes they say to shift into 4wd while a accelerating
4wh upto 45 while switching
4wl 2-5 mph
Second question, no you can leave it in 4wd if you need it the next time. You don't have to put it back each time

 

[Burla]

Wasn't 100% on switching into low, but there ya go. Either be stopped and in N or going very slow.

 

[LB3711]

4auto is the way to go if you have it. Safest way to set it and forget it till you get to your destination even though 4lock/hi is ok too

 

[Etroze86]

4wd auto set and forget like said before. With clutch packs being used in new t cases you can put it in 4wd hi anytime you feel slip. I personally still just throw it into N if im moving but thats me. This subject is kinda like oil and tires everyone has their brand and own way to do it but if you stick to what the manual says you will never have an issue.

 

[Cruizer]

Only bummer about my truck is lack of 4WAuto. Had it in my Z71 and the wife's Jeep has it, it's nice. I don't ever see a situation to use 4WL unless you're climbing or pulling something heavy off-road. I don't think the truck will even go into a 4 wheel setting if it's not at the right speed/setting. The Z71 would just blink until it could go into a 4 wheel setting, though it did get hung up once in neutral and wouldn't go into any setting. Had to rock it a little to get it to catch. It was a Chevy after all though.

 

[Coop]

They've pretty much idiot proofed these things in terms of when you can or can't engage something. Everything is computer controlled so it will wait to engage until you have the right conditions.

don't run 4WD lock on dry pavement. I run 4WD Auto when there's snow or ice, it can help keep your ass-end from trying to pass you when you hit a nasty patch. You'll probably not need 4LO, and keep your top speed around 55 with 4HI.

And remember, no matter how great your 4WD/AWD system is, it ain't gonna help you stop. I see lots of soccer moms in SUVs doing 70 on snow and ice that don't seem to grasp this.

 

[LETHAL GTS]

4wdh...shift between 2wd and 4wdh anytime under 60mph.
4wdl...stop and shift because it is a major change in gear ratio
4wd auto...never used it on any of my last trucks. I don't like the fact that my truck would be shifting in and out of 4wd all the time adding additional wear to components in the transfer case.
When I want to be in 4wd I simply switch to 4wd. I don't need my truck trying to think for me.