Question about the auto 4WD
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mizzouguy
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Auto 4x4, in my experience, sucks lol. I have it as well. Even when in that mode, it will stay in 2wd until it realizes you are sliding via wheel speed sensors. Then it will try to redirect power to the front, and when it does so one front and one rear will spin. If the weather is bad, I always just lock it in 4-hi to be safe. Then all 4 spin the whole time.
The only way to see how it feels/works for you is to use it. Depending on how you drive, you may even be able to feel the difference in the rain. Some love it and leave the selector in auto all the time. Others never use it and, of course, many are somewhere in the middle. You will find that you get more vibration and fewer MPGs when you use it.
I use it quite a bit on the gravel roads around here. It tones down some of the characteristics of driving a 2wd on a loose surface and on gravel Auto and 4wd are difficult to tell apart.
In snow the differences between 2wd/Auto/4wd are a little more obvious, but Auto is still noticeably makes a difference. In conditions where I would expect to see black ice, or it is a strong possibility, I will stay in Auto and it has saved me a few times. The torque transfer response time is quick enough that it feel instantaneous. Still, I typically only use it in those borderline conditions where I would find myself switching from 4wd to 2wd (and back) often. If conditions are worse I will go with 4hi.
The g80 rear differential makes a big difference at slower speeds with this mode, especially in the snowy/icy conditions. The differences in tire sizes and ratings may have made the absence of the g80 diff seem more significant though.
Finally, I would recommend servicing the fluid in your transfer case if you don't know if or when it was last serviced. It will make a difference in how well Auto works. Should cost less than $30 and take <1hr if you do it yourself. I would also be careful about which shop you let perform the service if you prefer to have someone else do it. Your '04 should take the blue autotrak 2 fluid and some independent shops might not realize that and give you the wrong fluid.
I use it quite a bit on the gravel roads around here. It tones down some of the characteristics of driving a 2wd on a loose surface and on gravel Auto and 4wd are difficult to tell apart.
In snow the differences between 2wd/Auto/4wd are a little more obvious, but Auto is still noticeably makes a difference. In conditions where I would expect to see black ice, or it is a strong possibility, I will stay in Auto and it has saved me a few times. The torque transfer response time is quick enough that it feel instantaneous. Still, I typically only use it in those borderline conditions where I would find myself switching from 4wd to 2wd (and back) often. If conditions are worse I will go with 4hi.
The g80 rear differential makes a big difference at slower speeds with this mode, especially in the snowy/icy conditions. The differences in tire sizes and ratings may have made the absence of the g80 diff seem more significant though.
Finally, I would recommend servicing the fluid in your transfer case if you don't know if or when it was last serviced. It will make a difference in how well Auto works. Should cost less than $30 and take <1hr if you do it yourself. I would also be careful about which shop you let perform the service if you prefer to have someone else do it. Your '04 should take the blue autotrak 2 fluid and some independent shops might not realize that and give you the wrong fluid.
+2 on changing the transfer case fluid. It's easily overlooked and easy to change out yourself.
Have a fair amount of experience with the Auto-4WD as 05 Tahoe refuses to engage 4W-HI. Light comes on and you can hear something that SOUNDS like it's engaged, but it doesn't.
As far as I could tell BOTH front wheels engage in both my Yukon and Tahoe. It's pretty snappy too. If you're accelerating through a turn it's very predictable when and how it engages. I do notice that in the Tahoe with the G80 locker rear-end that once both rear's lock i'll spin-out easily so be careful with that around your hood. I've read that Auto-4WD is harder on the related 4WD components due to the rapid engage/disengage but don't recall the exact explanation. Either way, get out and try it for yourself. I'm impressed with the traction I have with these trucks.
Have a fair amount of experience with the Auto-4WD as 05 Tahoe refuses to engage 4W-HI. Light comes on and you can hear something that SOUNDS like it's engaged, but it doesn't.
As far as I could tell BOTH front wheels engage in both my Yukon and Tahoe. It's pretty snappy too. If you're accelerating through a turn it's very predictable when and how it engages. I do notice that in the Tahoe with the G80 locker rear-end that once both rear's lock i'll spin-out easily so be careful with that around your hood. I've read that Auto-4WD is harder on the related 4WD components due to the rapid engage/disengage but don't recall the exact explanation. Either way, get out and try it for yourself. I'm impressed with the traction I have with these trucks.
ISU-152
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These are one of those things I just don't trust. Not that I doubt it works or not but in the back of my head its safer knowing I've already locked her into 4hi on my own. I like to know what to expect.
I've already wrecked one truck over the differential snapping back at me...would hate to ruin another. (Ps should find the pics of that wreck)
I've already wrecked one truck over the differential snapping back at me...would hate to ruin another. (Ps should find the pics of that wreck)
What truck did you wreck? Love to see the pics.
I think we'd have seen a service bulletin or something in the news about this auto 4WD killing people already if it were too risky.
It's not practical to drive around all over in 4hi unless your always on loose ground. Auto 4WD is perfect here when the roads turn to $#!+ in winter and half is paved/plowed or ruts of snow, ice, salt, mixed with large stretches of dry pavement.
Nobody wants to slow down and have to press a button on the hiway when they see dry pavement. I'm confident in the Auto. It's served me well over the past 15 years..
I think we'd have seen a service bulletin or something in the news about this auto 4WD killing people already if it were too risky.
It's not practical to drive around all over in 4hi unless your always on loose ground. Auto 4WD is perfect here when the roads turn to $#!+ in winter and half is paved/plowed or ruts of snow, ice, salt, mixed with large stretches of dry pavement.
Nobody wants to slow down and have to press a button on the hiway when they see dry pavement. I'm confident in the Auto. It's served me well over the past 15 years..
powerhaulic
Full Access Member
i had an AWD savanah, and now an AWD Yukon xl Denali loved the way they both function!!!!
I am trading this week, AWD is not available anymore.
So i guess i will be finding out how autotrack case actually works myself.
Getting a '17 6.2 Sierra
I am trading this week, AWD is not available anymore.
So i guess i will be finding out how autotrack case actually works myself.
Getting a '17 6.2 Sierra
adventurenali92
Full Access Member
So don't know how well it works in the gm platform as my Denali is AWD, which is fantastic. But while my Denali was down last winter I was loaned a 2001 Durango R/T from a close girlfriend to drive. It has an AWD mode and then 4hi and 4lo but no 2WD. I think the awd on the selector is like the auto-4 on the tahoe. anyways I drove the R/T through a big storm that dropped about a foot and a half of snow through a couple days. The auto-4 was very capable and took me through with no problems. Good for going through the snow and then hitting pavement and keeping the traction steady. I actually had the same year Durango before my Denali in a limited package but it had 2WD, 4hi and 4lo. After driving the R/T I like the auto setting compared to the 4x4 setup in my Durango. That and the sport tuned 5.9L V8 in the R/T versus the 4.7L in my limited. Lol. The power was fun. Oops that was a side tangent haha.
I'm too lazy to look it up at the moment, but I believe that 01 Durango has a NP242 which would give it a full time 4wd with a geared center differential. IIRC, the Auto on the NNBS (except Denali and Escalade which will mostly be AWD, but there are a a couple out there that are not AWD) is not a full time 4wd. It is more of a send the power to the rear wheels until it sees tire spin/slippage. Then, it will begin transferring some of that power to the front.
Most drivers, in most situations, will have a difficult time telling the difference between the two systems. In those situations where you might be able to tell the difference, you would probably find yourself in 2WD or in 4WD rather than Auto.
Most drivers, in most situations, will have a difficult time telling the difference between the two systems. In those situations where you might be able to tell the difference, you would probably find yourself in 2WD or in 4WD rather than Auto.
adventurenali92
Full Access Member
@Jason_S , if the R/T was full time AWD, why then would it also have 4hi and 4lo on the selector? Wouldnt those be redundant if it was full time AWD? The limited package Durango that belonged to me before was 2WD, 4hi and 4lo. But the R/T was not the same. I could be wrong but I don't think the R/T was full time all wheel drive.
