New to 4x4, is it supposed to do this?

[Redwolf]

Newbie 4x4 owner question:

My new rig is the 2015 Ram 2500 with electronic shifted transfer case. I've got it in 4WD LOCK. When slowly backing up or going forward AND turning the wheels sharply (for instance, backing out of my drive or into a parking lot), the transmission or gears feel like they're bucking and jerky. Is it supposed to do that? Putting it back to 2WD there is no issue. 4WD during normal driving operations there is no problem. Just slow and tight turns.

My salesman who briefly explained the 4WD system never mentioned and, and of course since I've bought the vehicle he won't return my calls. And of course the manual doesn't say anything about it.

 

[seafish]

Newbie 4x4 owner question:

My new rig is the 2015 Ram 2500 with electronic shifted transfer case. I've got it in 4WD LOCK. When slowly backing up or going forward AND turning the wheels sharply (for instance, backing out of my drive or into a parking lot), the transmission or gears feel like they're bucking and jerky. Is it supposed to do that? Putting it back to 2WD there is no issue. 4WD during normal driving operations there is no problem. Just slow and tight turns.

My salesman who briefly explained the 4WD system never mentioned and, and of course since I've bought the vehicle he won't return my calls. And of course the manual doesn't say anything about it.

Yes, that is the nature of the 4wd beast…front and back wheels are turning at slightly different speeds as you turn at tighter radius thus leading to the trucks feeling jerked around i.e. front and back of the truck are trying to move at different speeds.

 

[SnoKing]

You should not be in 4x4 on dry payment or other high traction surfaces. The RAM system is NOT an all wheel drive setup, that can be ran on dry payment. Snoking

 

[MConyers]

This is what was in my owners manual, and as mentioned above:

"The 4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW positions are designed
for loose, slippery road surfaces only. Driving in the 4WD
LOCK and 4WD LOW positions on dry hard surfaced
roads may cause increased tire wear and damage to the
driveline components."

Don't use 4wd unless snow or ice is on the pavement. When driving on snow a little crab walk is normal with u-joints up front. When off pavement use 4wd when needed.

 

[Redwolf]

Thanks, guys!

I was using it while driving in the rain both times. Austin's roads get slick. My old truck's rear tires would frequently spin when starting up because of it.

 

[AH64ID]

Rain does generally not decrease the traction enough to allow for use of 4wd on the pavement, and continued use will cause damage to the drivetrain.

Try reducing the tire pressure in your rear tires to the amount required for the load, and less throttle. I run a bit more power and a lot less torque management and if my tire pressure is proper wet traction is not an issue.

 

[Redwolf]

4WD is for off road only, then?

The manual said (yeah yeah, I'm one of Those Guys who reads the manuals) "The 4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW positions are designed for loose, slippery road surfaces
only. ". I figured a wet Texas road would count as slippery.

Needs snow or ice?

 

[mrbb]

I agree I wouldn't be using 4x4 just in Rain, your asking for drive line issue's

BUY better wet traction tires, would be money way better spent that in repairs to your rear's

you also should NOT drive your truck in 4x4 mode past 45 MPH either

 

[SnoKing]

Plus, wet/dry grass, mud/swamps, sand, dirt, gravel and rock crawling. Snoking

 

[MConyers]

I agree I wouldn't be using 4x4 just in Rain, your asking for drive line issue's

BUY better wet traction tires, would be money way better spent that in repairs to your rear's

you also should NOT drive your truck in 4x4 mode past 45 MPH either

Seems like I remember recommendations in the past for not shifting into 4hi after a certain speed, and definitely not while the rears are spinning! Logic dictates keeping your speed reasonable when 4wd is necessary. Better/different tires and pressure can all make a huge difference; great comments folks!

 

[Loren]

you also should NOT drive your truck in 4x4 mode past 45 MPH either

mrbb,

This is the first I ever heard of this idea. Is that stated in the owner's manual somewhere? Where did you hear this?

I've driven my 4x4 trucks (three different Dodges and two Toyotas) at 65 mph or so numerous times. Did I harm something?

Thanks,
-- Loren

 

[Redwolf]

Lots of good info here, thanks!

 

[kthaxton]

Agree, generally no need for 4wd on just wet roads....and it is asking for trouble too.

 

[Loren]

I figured a wet Texas road would count as slippery.

Red,

I also feel that a wet road (even if it's not in Texas) counts as slippery. I often use 4WD in wet conditions. I pay attention to the situation and shift back to 2WD if I will be maneuvering the truck with sharper turns. As long as I don't "wrap up" the drive train I should be alright. So far it has worked for me.

"Wrap up" refers to the binding that occurs in the drive train when the front and rear drive shafts try to turn at different rates. They can't because they are locked together at the transfer case. That means that either a tire must slip or something will break.

At low speeds and low power the truck will usually just stop as it tries to get a tire to slip. If the surface isn't slippery enough to allow for tire slippage you could be in trouble if you try to continue in this condition.

-- Loren

 

[mpaulson]

I run at 110km/hr very frequently in the winter where we have "real" slippery roads when they are ice covered. I also will shift in and out of 4x4 at any speed, literally. I've done this with every 4x4 I've owned and have never had any breakages or problems. I wouldn't consider wet roads from rain to be slippery enough in my opinion. If the front end jumps while doing a mild turn then you have too much traction for 4x4. Really tight turns even on ice you may still feel the steering wheel tug though.

 

[SnoKing]

Just remember that if you bind it up turning in 4x4 mode, then you need to back in a circle for it to come back out of four wheel drive. Snoking

 

[BigPapa]

There are MANY people drag racing their trucks in 4WD at well over 100mph. Of course, that's in a straight line.....

 

[mrbb]

drag racing and off road racing, SURE. but then again they ain't looking for a TON of miles and life out of there parts either
they want the best traction they can get to WIN THE race there in, NOT the long term race of YRS and YRS of life in a truck

YOUR owners manual will tell you the TOP speed you should drive your truck in 4x4 mode

you can drive YOUR"S as fast as you like
and you MAY get lucky and NEVER have any issue's
millions of folks speed and don't get tickets
then again millions of folks buy lottery tickets and DON"T win
YET some do??
just cause you can do something doesn't mean its MADE to be done, or done over and over and over!

we all cheat at times with things, I'm not saying I follow every rule LOL

just trying to tell a NEW 4x4 owner what they SHOULDN"T do based on the info in there manual! and some life experiences I have had over 30+ yrs of playing with 4x4 trucks and even racing them at times over the yrs

there is a LOT of weight on the front axle of a diesel truck, and on drive hard ground without any GIVE, you can damage a front end, ask any shop that repairs them how often it happens ?

 

[AEdelheit]

Looking at how the 4x4 system works I cant see the harm in running 4wd over a certain speed, owners manual says to change your oil every 6 months but im guessing most dont follow that rule either.

Before the CAD the front drive line was spinning regardless of speed or engagement, simply connecting the splines in the transfer case does not magically change how the front drive train works. On new trucks with the CAD its one more engagement but once engaged will not be bothered by speed.

I have ran 4wd over 80-100mph off road many times and have no issues doing so when looking at how the system works.

In terms of running 4wd only on snow and ice that is certainly ideal but when you live in an area where there are many icy patches I will stay in 4wd, especially when is right around that 30-32deg mark until I can feel a little drive train vibration then go back to 2 WD. With how nose heavy these trucks are I error on the side of caution and knowing these drive trains are fairly stout not worried about a few seconds on high traction surfaces and would rather replace a U joint then end up around a tree.

 

[mwilson]

Looking at how the 4x4 system works I cant see the harm in running 4wd over a certain speed, owners manual says to change your oil every 6 months but im guessing most dont follow that rule either.

Before the CAD the front drive line was spinning regardless of speed or engagement, simply connecting the splines in the transfer case does not magically change how the front drive train works. On new trucks with the CAD its one more engagement but once engaged will not be bothered by speed.

I have ran 4wd over 80-100mph off road many times and have no issues doing so when looking at how the system works.

In terms of running 4wd only on snow and ice that is certainly ideal but when you live in an area where there are many icy patches I will stay in 4wd, especially when is right around that 30-32deg mark until I can feel a little drive train vibration then go back to 2 WD. With how nose heavy these trucks are I error on the side of caution and knowing these drive trains are fairly stout not worried about a few seconds on high traction surfaces and would rather replace a U joint then end up around a tree.

What he just said...^^^^^^^^

I have run at consistent speeds of 70-80 mph while in 4WD with no ill effects. The truck will tell you when it is time to take it out of 4WD.