Purpose of 4WD auto if you have to use gas?

[hehateme2812]

I'm sorry but I need to out an end to this whole I need to hit the gas to activate the front tires thing that keeps being said. IF YOU ARENT ON THE GAS YOU ARE USING NO DRIVE INPUT! 4WD AUTO IS JUST ANOTHER WAY OF SAYING AWD. It works just like all all wheel drive systems do. You are looking for 4WD lock.

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[WilliamS]

It will likely catch before you realize its in 4wd. Only thing I wish these trucks have that all the other manufactures have with 4-auto is an actual indicator of where power goes. Some hate the 4-A but it keeps me going everywhere Ive attempted without issue.

 

[RLJ10X]

The 4 Auto works pretty well. It engages and dis engauges as determined by rear wheel slippage.

The way I came to fully understand what was really going on, was to watch a few videos on the subject.

While you're at it, get to understand how the LSD in our trucks work, and the BLD, also.

 

[jljbtm]

Trust me guys just drive your truck like any other car and only engage 4 wheel drive when you are stuck. You will save gas money. And you will be really happy when you are stuck in the snow mud sand whatever in 2 wheel drive and just by flipping a switch you drive right out. And that is when your 4 wheel drive will shine and you can smile for not having to call a tow truck

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[huntergreen]

Let me try and dumb this down for the OP.
4wd auto, it works when you need it, and it's not active when you don't need it. That being said, if your driving 45 mph sliding into a tree, you were driving too fast. There isn't a 4wd system system out there that will save you in that situation. As stated, you are overthinking this..

 

[jljbtm]

yes 4wd can make you go faster in snow and has nothing to do with stopping.So only go as fast as your brakes can stop you.

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[chrisbh17]

Really the only thing it does is help you get started and maybe go faster through deep stuff that you shouldn't be going fast through anyway.

Doesn't help with stopping and not so much help on ice. While I've used mine in auto I never really felt it was necessary. 2wd the truck feels like it can get out of most situations.

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[turkeybird56]

Let me try and dumb this down for the OP.
4wd auto, it works when you need it, and it's not active when you don't need it. That being said, if your driving 45 mph sliding into a tree, you were driving too fast. There isn't a 4wd system system out there that will save you in that situation. As stated, you are overthinking this..

DITTO

 

[Cdn_Hemi_Dude]

4wd is only a benefit when there's power going to the 4 wheels. So if it's slippery and your off the gas coasting for example, it would really make no difference if the front wheels were engaged or not since there's no power going to them anyway because you are off the gas. So you actually do need to push the gas to have the traction of 4wd of any use.

 

[boblonben]

I'm reading in several threads that to make 4WD auto work, you have to press on the gas to bring traction to the front tires. so does this make it completely useless in slippery winter conditions?

if I'm driving slowly on an icy road... in 4WD auto... and i have to press on the GAS to activate the front tires... you don't add MORE speed to slippery conditions!

so if I'm hearing this right, if I'm slipping in 4WD auto.. and i don't press the gas, I'm still actually only using 2 back wheels, right? useless.

makes no sense.

that is because you are incorrect in your assumption. 4WD auto will engage regardless if you touch the gas pedal or not, it activates based on detecting slip in the rear drive train, then it brings on the front portion of the system. Yes pushing the pedal will work if you purposely create slippage, but that is NOT the only situation which brings it into play.

 

[boblonben]

Mine works ok when it gets nasty enough to warrant it's use around here. Is it as good as something with all time AWD, hell no, but it will keep my truck from facing the other way (I've tried to see if it actually works). That being said the stock SRA's that came on my ram were a joke for anything other than a perfect fair weather day. Upgrading the rubber made a huge difference even in 4Auto.

Most AWD, except Subaru, actually run in the 2wd mode then engage AWD when slippage is detected. But some are true AWD all the time, you'll have to look at each maker to see which ones are true AWD or not. Actually 4WD auto works very well, has little affect on gas mileage, except when fully engaged, and is a useful tool to have available. As long as you actually understand how it works, and what to expect, it will do you just fine in all weather situations.

 

[joshuaeb09]

Most AWD, except Subaru, actually run in the 2wd mode then engage AWD when slippage is detected. But some are true AWD all the time, you'll have to look at each maker to see which ones are true AWD or not. Actually 4WD auto works very well, has little affect on gas mileage, except when fully engaged, and is a useful tool to have available. As long as you actually understand how it works, and what to expect, it will do you just fine in all weather situations.

Yea I'm not saying its bad at all definitely way better than my 97 Expy that had Auto 4WD. That thing took a little while to throw power up front so you could get it pretty sideways and then it would snap itself out of it (I might have had a little too much winter fun with that in empty parking lots when there was nothing else to do). My favorite for on the street though would've had to have been my uncle's old Denalli that was 40/60 all time AWD. Unless it was just super nasty outside you could bury the skinny pedal and just go no matter what.

 

[jmc921]

Since I don't have 4WD Auto in my 2014 Express, this is not an issue for me (wish I did have it). That said, when I am driving on snow covered roads, I engage 4WD High which locks the front and rear axles together so when you're going around a sharp turn, you can feel the front tires push since they are trying to turn in a smaller radius than the rears. That's why they tell you to only use this in low traction situations. The benefit to 4WD Auto is that (as I understand it), there is a differential between the front and rear axles that allows them to rotate at different speeds so the fronts don't push (scrub) in a tight turn. Also, my guess is that 4WD Auto will use a lot less gas than 4WD High (Locked).

For the guy who is worried that he has to "hit the gas" to engage the front wheels in 4WD Auto, just drive normally and, if there is any slippage from the rear wheels, the fronts will automatically be engaged. By the way this is how ALL AWD systems work. My wife has a new Jeep Compass. It operates in FWD all the time until there is slip and then the rear wheels automatically are engaged. I think many of you might be thinking mostly "mechanically" for these systems. Realize that ALL of these systems have extremely sophisticated electronics controlling these systems so it's not just a mechanical clutch kicking in. There is a whole lot of stuff going on including sensors at each wheel.

Sorry if this seems a little preachy but wanted to try to clarify some of this. Hope this helped.

 

[chrisbh17]

Coming from a truck that had a setup similar to the RAM with non-auto xfer case, getting used to it is taking a bit. I find myself backing out of the throttle when the rear end starts to slide (because thats how Ive always done it in RWD vehicles) but that essentially "resets" the 4WD when in Auto (and apparently 4WD "lock" as well), which means I dont get 4WD at all. I need to tune myself into driving through the slip to let the 4WD do its job.

I started practicing in about 6" of snow on the top level of a parking garage at work. I did notice even in 4WD Auto the truck feels like it wants to push in turns...like the WHOLE truck seems to "slide" sideways, but its a controlled slide if that makes any sense, so Im guessing 4 Auto is doing its thing.

 

[Jallenb11]

Even in full 4wd my rear will kick around with too much input, I think the balance is a little too biased to the rear. I like auto when entering the highway from my driveway.

 

[WilliamS]

Let me try and dumb this down for the OP.
4wd auto, it works when you need it, and it's not active when you don't need it. That being said, if your driving 45 mph sliding into a tree, you were driving too fast. There isn't a 4wd system system out there that will save you in that situation. As stated, you are overthinking this..

Ahh trying to inject Physics into this equation are ya!

This is where 100% of the new to 4wd guys mess up. 4wd or All wheel drive will not save you once you are loose, you have to either know how to drive, or ride out the slide. From there 4wd or Awd can help get you out of the ditch, but not getting in the first place there is up to you.

 

[tomb]

if theres snow on the road put in 4wd auto-yes it only kicks in if your on the gas and detects slippage from the rear-you don't need 4wd high unless there is a lot of snow or very icy-I personally have never needed all time 4wd-but its nice to have the option if the roads haven't been cleared at all-just don't take really tight turns on dry pavement if in 4wdhigh. It will not allow the wheels to slip and could cause damage. Use 4wd auto if equipted or 4wd high if snow covered roads only. I have never had snow tires and have driven through some major **** in 4wdauto with no problems at all-the key is take it easy and leave space and don't tailgate!-its important to remember that 4wd in any mode doesn't mean **** when it comes to stopping or improving your brake performance . take it easy friends!

 

[tones2SS]

I've driven in deep snow and light snow and I use the 4WD Lock. (One of those times was to work in a blizzard and back home in a blizzard.)
Never any issue at all. And this is with the crappy Goodyucks on the truck. lol

 

[cubmedic]

Rear wheels will not slip if you are not using the gas. No power to rear wheels no slipping.

 

[holtff1074]

Don't know if constant drive in 4wauto is a factor but I do kno I like it. Nine months ago when I got my 17 I had the op to use it on a return trip from MtAiry NC to Va and a sudden snow covering Hwy81 came catching many unexpectingly. I switched to the 4wauto and managed to feel when it applied and although I hate these goodyear tires it was obvious how it managed to help. Maybe for a slight time I actually went to full time 4wd. So far I like it as I've ben using through the current snow conditions.