Question for 4WD guys

[IowaTahoe]

I've got 2002 5.3 Hoe with 4WD. I have an option "Auto 4WD".

I'm curious, I know it says that it's 2WD till it senses wheel slip and it will engage, and it does that. But I'm curious is once it's in does it stay that way till I put it back in 2WD? Or will it go back to 2WD in a matter of a few minutes?

Wife likes to keep it in Auto 4WD and she likes that it engages when she needs it, but I'm curious if once it engages does it stay there till she shuts it off?

 

[vwbeaner]

the manual says the front axel is engaged but the power only sent to the rear wheels. upon slippage it automatically turns on 4wd, i would guess it turns it off when done. the light doesn't change to 4wd it always stays on auto...so i would say set it and forget it.

 

[ryangt]

I've got 2002 5.3 Hoe with 4WD. I have an option "Auto 4WD".

I'm curious, I know it says that it's 2WD till it senses wheel slip and it will engage, and it does that. But I'm curious is once it's in does it stay that way till I put it back in 2WD? Or will it go back to 2WD in a matter of a few minutes?

Wife likes to keep it in Auto 4WD and she likes that it engages when she needs it, but I'm curious if once it engages does it stay there till she shuts it off?

Well, i use this feature all the time when it rains around here, it has never stayed in 4wd after the slippage occurs.

 

[gcletsos]

I think it disengages, but your MPG will suffer because the front axle will be engaged the whole time.

 

[afpj]

As I recall (and my memory seems to get worse every year) the 02's had a center diff that controls power distribution and uses pure mechanics to limit slip etc., but 2003 and newer use the antilock system to limit wheel spin. The center diff is NOT as flexible as one would think...it will give a binding feeling in tight turns on dry pavement. Therefore, I would recommend only using it when it rains or driving in sand/mud/dirt, as it MAY stress components near the limits of a left or right turn. You may in fact be able to hear extra component hum with Auto 4wd engaged during a tight turn on dry pavement compared to just being in 2wd. Anyway, my .02 pesos...BTW, never engage 4HI on dry pavement.

 

[My01yuk]

BTW, never engage 4HI on dry pavement.

Why not?

 

[cam3439]

Because the 4WD system is engaged all the time in this setting and WILL ruin your front steering/axle components along with possibly your transfercase. If you engage it in 4WD, turn the truck, and drive you'll feel the truck pop and skip as you drive (while turning). This puts stress on the whole front system that is only suppose to be used during lost traction, and you don't have this on dry pavement. People do this to try to test the vehicle's 4WD system, but only do it until they feel the truck trying to "pop/skip" forward. I wouldn't drive in 4WD or in Auto 4WD on dry pavement. You can think of the Auto 4WD as an AWD setup. You'll only get power to the front wheels when you're loosing traction, but the front axle will be engaged this whole time. As soon as you have gained traction again, the front axle looses power and you'll be in 2WD again. If you're using Auto 4WD all the time, all you're doing is putting excessive wear on the front components and on the transfercase. I would ONLY use Auto 4WD when off-roading or under harsh conditions like in snow or REALLY BAD rain.

 

[My01yuk]

Thanks for the info, it will come in handy.

 

[Nxtnlne]

As I recall (and my memory seems to get worse every year) the 02's had a center diff that controls power distribution and uses pure mechanics to limit slip etc., but 2003 and newer use the antilock system to limit wheel spin. The center diff is NOT as flexible as one would think...it will give a binding feeling in tight turns on dry pavement. Therefore, I would recommend only using it when it rains or driving in sand/mud/dirt, as it MAY stress components near the limits of a left or right turn. You may in fact be able to hear extra component hum with Auto 4wd engaged during a tight turn on dry pavement compared to just being in 2wd. Anyway, my .02 pesos...BTW, never engage 4HI on dry pavement.

I agree. I use this feature only in my pickup and when the misses is driving. Being light in the rear (pickup truck) and having a 6.0L with 4:10 gears it can get squirly around corners. But when the front diff engages it does bind when turning and you can feel it in the seat of your pants, truck just becomes resist to forward motion on pavement in a turn when front diff is engaged..I say in the Yukon there is no need for the Auto 4 unless your off road in the snow or rain. Even in rainy condition's the rear shouldn't slide out in a turn unless your real heavy on the throttle. If you do break loose then you might need new tires or your trying to drift and in that case why would you want the front to engage?

 

[IowaTahoe]

only time I use any of the 4WD's is when it snows. And I feel since the Hoe weights so much, most driving 2WD is perfect. But sometimes you have to stop at an incline and 2WD just doesn't cut it. So for the most part if its snowing out it's in Auto 4WD. It wont be till summer when I find out how the 4WD Hi works when we are pulling the 4Wheelers out to the river through the muddy fields...Not worried the Silverado did it perfectly.