When do you use 4WD?

[4 banger TJ]

Well, it’s finally snowing in Minnesota! Since it’s my first winter with the Jeep I don’t really know how to use it properly.

Today I wasn’t getting any traction with just rear wheel drive, and taking the back seats out didn’t help to put any weight back there. I switched to 4-Hi within the first couple minutes of driving and kept it there for the rest of the drive and it worked great.

Even on the freeway it worked great in 4-Hi, but is there a certain speed that I should not be exceeding while in 4-Hi? I understand that 4-Lo is only for off-roading purposes. I also never use 4WD while it is dry, because there would be no need to.

In what scenario should I be in 4-Hi?

 

[89grand]

You should probably use 4wd any time traction is an issue. As long as the surface isn't dry, and there is some ability for the tires slip so as not to bind, you should be fine in 4wd hi at any reasonable speed. 4wd lo has the gear reduction in the transfer case, and it for slow speed use. 4wd is the same as for as the axles locked together but without the gear reduction.

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

Well, it’s finally snowing in Minnesota! Since it’s my first winter with the Jeep I don’t really know how to use it properly.

Today I wasn’t getting any traction with just rear wheel drive, and taking the back seats out didn’t help to put any weight back there. I switched to 4-Hi within the first couple minutes of driving and kept it there for the rest of the drive and it worked great.

Even on the freeway it worked great in 4-Hi, but is there a certain speed that I should not be exceeding while in 4-Hi? I understand that 4-Lo is only for off-roading purposes. I also never use 4WD while it is dry, because there would be no need to.

In what scenario should I be in 4-Hi?

I think the speed limit for 4wd is 75mph to be on the safe side.

 

[4 banger TJ]

You should probably use 4wd any time traction is an issue. As long as the surface isn't dry, and there is some ability for the tires slip so as not to bind, you should be fine in 4wd hi at any reasonable speed. 4wd lo has the gear reduction in the transfer case, and it for slow speed use. 4wd is the same as for as the axles locked together but without the gear reduction.

I think the speed limit for 4wd is 75mph to be on the safe side.

Thanks guys!

I just wanted to make sure I didn’t break my Jeep, or me!

 

[ranger101]

I run vehicles in 4x4 comfortably until about 50-55mph. In my opinion, if the conditions cause a need for 4wd to be engaged you probably shouldn’t be going that fast.

 

[MutantNinjaTJ]

I use 2 wheel drive to get into trouble, and use 4 wheel drive to get out of trouble.

 

[Chris]

Fastest I ever go in 4WD is about 55 MPH. That would be highways with light layers of packed snow.

 

[Cornbread]

I run vehicles in 4x4 comfortably until about 50-55mph. In my opinion, if the conditions cause a need for 4wd to be engaged you probably shouldn’t be going that fast.

X2 if its slick enough to need 4wd, there's no need to be running fast. The short wheelbase of a TJ can be very unpredictable on ice. From my experiences, once the rear slides out on ice you might as well let go of the wheel cause it's gone. I actually avoid my Jeep and prefer my half ton pickup if roads are icy. If you're having difficulty in 2wd at all, go ahead and use the 4hi, it could save you from an accident.

 

[rasband]

I use 4hi as long as it makes sense - even above 55 (Colorado driving often will have big clear/dry patches and then some moisture). Obviously if that’s a likely very slick patch I wouldn’t be much above 55.

the front axle is always live anyway, so all 4hi does is adds the power to it. It’s not all that different other than the TC being engaged.

 

[Plumber1]

I think the speed limit for 4wd is 75mph to be on the safe side.

Thats about top speed anyway

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

Thats about top speed anyway

Facts, I can go faster than that - but at the risk of shaking the damn thing apart lol

 

[jjvw]

I think the speed limit for 4wd is 75mph to be on the safe side.

The manual says something like 55mph. I've had mine in 4wd well above 75mph.

 

[707kevin]

the front axle is always live anyway, so all 4hi does is adds the power to it. It’s not all that different other than the TC being engaged.

It's not always 'live'... no power is going to it in 2wd.

It's completely different when the TC is in 4hi/4lo.

 

[Flivver250]

IMHO, your tire choices are everything. If you are in a region that snows, four bona fide snow tires are what you absolutely need to be safe, 4x4 or not. All seasons are great........in southern Florida. If you have trouble getting going in 2wd, you will have more trouble steering and stopping, especially if you engage 4wd and get flying. I grew up in Vermont where snow and ice are 6 months of the year. I mainly had 2wd with four quality snow tires. I drove everywhere. Jeeps are light and squirrelly on ice and snow, don't let the 4x4 lever fool you into a false state of security. BTW, there is a term for people who only buy 2 snow tires. Stuck. Seen many a Jeep do the dying cockroach in the level highway median.

 

[Willys LJ]

Something to keep in mind about driving in snow and ice with 4 wheel drive. It don't do a darn thing for your brakes.
And I've never seen a TJ with ABS.

About 20 years ago there was a big ice storm in Arkansas that froze everything up and I had to get to Texarkana from here in Tennessee. I was driving a beat up '85 4x4 Bronco II and was doing around 45 to 55 in the one partially cleared lane on I-40. There were numerous 4x4 pickups passing me doing the normal speed limit or better that I saw in the median or ditches on down the highway. I just kept my speed down and made it there without any off road excursions.

 

[Davidtj]

Something to keep in mind about driving in snow and ice with 4 wheel drive. It don't do a darn thing for your brakes.
And I've never seen a TJ with ABS.

Actually some Tj’s do have ABS

 

[mrblaine]

I think the speed limit for 4wd is 75mph to be on the safe side.

The use of 4 hi is limited by the safe speed of the low traction conditions under which it is employed. At no point is 75mph safe if the use of 4 hi is necessary so it doesn't matter what the safe speed is the rig can handle without mechanical damage. In other words, if the road is good for 75, you don't need 4 hi. If you need 4 hi, you won't be doing 75.

 

[Willys LJ]

Actually some Tj’s do have ABS

I'd heard the rumor, but I've never seen one to know it. From my understanding it's kind of a scarce option.

 

[mrblaine]

Something to keep in mind about driving in snow and ice with 4 wheel drive. It don't do a darn thing for your brakes.
And I've never seen a TJ with ABS.

About 20 years ago there was a big ice storm in Arkansas that froze everything up and I had to get to Texarkana from here in Tennessee. I was driving a beat up '85 4x4 Bronco II and was doing around 45 to 55 in the one partially cleared lane on I-40. There were numerous 4x4 pickups passing me doing the normal speed limit or better that I saw in the median or ditches on down the highway. I just kept my speed down and made it there without any off road excursions.

You need to get out more. 4hi or low does indeed help your brakes since it ties the front and back together and stops the rears from spinning and trying to push the front. That and there are lots of TJs with ABS.

 

[Willys LJ]

You need to get out more. 4hi or low does indeed help your brakes since it ties the front and back together and stops the rears from spinning and trying to push the front. That and there are lots of TJs with ABS.

I was thinking more of the trying to slow it back down aspect of things.