Questions about driving a 4 x 4

[1Garageman]

I have a Jeep Liberty that is a 4 X 4, which I love to use here in the Ohio Snow Days. I have some quick simple questions though about using 4 wheel drive.

1) Is it ok to go several miles in 4 wheel drive high?
For instance yesterday I had it in 4 wheel drive for about 3 miles or so, never went over 30mph, it says I can go up to 50mph. But it doesn't mention if it is ok to travel like 5 miles, or more, in 4 wheel drive mode? I just don't want to hurt my jeep.

2) Is it ok to drive in reverse while in 4 wheel drive?
I don't always back up into the garage and wonder if it is ok to go backwards in 4 wheel drive down the driveway and stuff?

3) Is there any special fluids or anything I need to check on jeep?
Thanks guys!

 

[D KRAGER]

1. Yes ok, as long as it's snow/ice covered pavement. If you hit a long patch of dry pavement switch to 2wd.

2. yes it's ok again stay away from dry pavement

3. Front diff fluid - check at same interval as rear end oil.

 

[D KRAGER]

Also I recommend after a long stretch in 4wd, switch it back to 2wd to make sure it doesn't freeze in 4wd. I once had a truck that I had in 4wd for 2 days straight during a bad ice storm, it got stuck in 4wd (the manual shifter was froze).

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Also I recommend after a long stretch in 4wd, switch it back to 2wd to make sure it doesn't freeze in 4wd. I once had a truck that I had in 4wd for 2 days straight during a bad ice storm, it got stuck in 4wd (the manual shifter was froze).

What if you shift it into 2wd and it freezes in that position and you need 4wd? I such conditions you'd be better off leaving it in 4wd.

 

[lawfarm]

I have a Jeep Liberty that is a 4 X 4, which I love to use here in the Ohio Snow Days. I have some quick simple questions though about using 4 wheel drive.

The answers to your questions depend in large measure on what type of 4wd your Liberty has. They have offered multiple systems in different years. The most common are selec-trac and command-trac. Selec-trac will have the following settings: 2wd / 4Hi Full time / 4 Hi Lock / 4 Lo Lock. Command Trac will have 2Hi / 4 Hi / 4 Lo. They also have selec-trac II on newer Liberties, but I'm not as familiar with that.

1) Is it ok to go several miles in 4 wheel drive high?

If it is a low traction surface (snowy, icey, etc.), then you can drive in 4Hi as far and as long as you want. If it is not a slick surface, driving any real distance in 4wd creates driveline bind (bad) which can damage your drivetrain, especially if you are turning. The exception to this rule would be if you have Selec-trac, in which case you can run in 4Hi full time, which has an open center differential. You can then leave it in 4Hi Full time (but not 4Hi Lock) all of the time (if you wanted), without any adverse effects other than slightly worse gas mileage, and perhaps a bit more wear on the front drive components. Summary: Snowy road; 4Hi ok with all. Dry road: 4Hi Full time, or 2wd only.

I'm guessing it goes without saying that you only use 4Lo when you could use 4Hi (slippery surface). 4Lo provides additional gearing reduction, which is useful if you need to travel at a slower speed with additional control, pull a heavy load, or otherwise sacrifice speed for power.

If yours is one of the newer liberties with the 4wdAuto feature, my understanding is that you can leave it in 4wd Auto at any time, much like 4Hi Full time, as described above.


2) Is it ok to drive in reverse while in 4 wheel drive?

Any time you can drive forward in 4wd, you can drive backwards in 4wd. Other than a minor difference in gear strength when turning backwards, there are no new or additional risks. So follow the same rules as above. (Supertechnical disclaimer: I suppose if backing up a hill, or if hitting the gas hard while backing up, you are putting more strain on the front drive components due to weight transfer. So don't punch it while backing up in 4wd.)

3) Is there any special fluids or anything I need to check on jeep?

In addition to the normal fluids to check (radiator, engine oil, ****** oil, rear differential, brakes, etc.), a 4wd vehicle also has a transfer case with oil in it (ATF, if I recall correctly for liberties), and a front differential with oil in it. They have a specified service interval. Unless it is leaking, you can check it / change it at the service interval.

Response in italics and bold above.

 

[Keep]

With a Jeep I would not recommend it Of course I am against Jeeps as everyone in our 4x4 club runs Jeeps.

As for long distances. I drive a 95 Sonoma 4x4. Last Christmas (2008) you might remember a little snow storm you got. I drove from Cleveland through Columbus on 71 in 4wd. No ill affects. With my truck 4wd or 2wd makes no diff in gas mileage as I only get 13-15mpg either way!

I was not aware that Jeep only recommends 50mph in 4wd. Some of our folks run that in the mud, wonder if they know Jeeps can break at that speed. HAHAHA

 

[The Rusty Gear]

I'm confused. . . .

I though he said he drove a 4x4, but he is talking about a Jeep Liberty ? ? ?

I kid - At least it's not a Compas!

 

[ddawg16]

4H (full time) means you can drive it Full Time on any kind of road surface.
4L (Part Time) means only off road or on snow and ice.

I know...sounds confusing...

 

[crewchief888]

What if you shift it into 2wd and it freezes in that position and you need 4wd? I such conditions you'd be better off leaving it in 4wd.

in bad weather, i leave my truck in 4H when i park it. more than once over the years, i didnt and couldnt get the damn lever to move.
but this was back in the day before they had them new fangled "idiot" lights telling you were in 4wheel.

 

[ripsnortMN]

I buzz mine right down the highway at 75mph in 4wd. There have been times that I needed it for 200-300 miles at a time. Its never been a problem for me. I have a '00 GMC jimmy.

 

[Crusty Nut]

4H (full time) means you can drive it Full Time on any kind of road surface.
4L (Part Time) means only off road or on snow and ice.

I know...sounds confusing...

It's confusing because I think you're incorrect.
all wheel drive (AWD) means any road dry or not
4H is 4 wheel drive high, same gear ratios as 2 wheel drive
4L is 4 wheel drive in low range.

Is there some specific labeling in Jeep Liberties you are talking about?

 

[Fireball027]

As long as is says "4H Full Time" then drive as long as you want. If it says "4H Part time" only use it on slippery surfaces.

I have a Grand Cherokee with 2WH, 4 Part Time, 4 Full Time and 4 Low.

Once The snow starts is goes into 4 Full Time and goes back into 2WH drive in the spring. I drive on snow covered road or dry road in that position and no problem going 90MPH+ in 4 wheel Full Time.

Put it in 4 Wheel Drive and just giver.....

Have fun with the jeep.

 

[PassnThru]

I buzz mine right down the highway at 75mph in 4wd. There have been times that I needed it for 200-300 miles at a time. Its never been a problem for me. I have a '00 GMC jimmy.

Seriously - if you are comfortable going 75 with the current road conditions then do you really need 4WD?

 

[mx5.7]

Seriously - if you are comfortable going 75 with the current road conditions then do you really need 4WD?

I agree. I remind my wife that 4x4 doesn't help you stop!

 

[D KRAGER]

What if you shift it into 2wd and it freezes in that position and you need 4wd? I such conditions you'd be better off leaving it in 4wd.

Well I kind of meant to move it often so it don't get stuck one way or the other.

 

[lawfarm]

It's confusing because I think you're incorrect.
all wheel drive (AWD) means any road dry or not
4H is 4 wheel drive high, same gear ratios as 2 wheel drive
4L is 4 wheel drive in low range.

Is there some specific labeling in Jeep Liberties you are talking about?

Yes, some jeeps have multi-mode transfer cases with 4Hi lock (traditional 4wd, with a locked center differential) and 4Hi Full time (what you might consider all wheel drive, with an open differential).

Dawg is correct.

 

[scottm]

Yes, some jeeps have multi-mode transfer cases with 4Hi lock (traditional 4wd, with a locked center differential) and 4Hi Full time (what you might consider all wheel drive, with an open differential).

Dawg is correct.

He may be correct in some vehicles with some specific transfer cases, but it is absolutely wrong as a general statement. Probably Dawg has a vehicle that behaves this way, but if I put any of my 3 4wd vehicles in 4hi on dry pavement and tried to drive around a corner it would be bucking and fighting all the way.

The best bet is to follow the recommendations in the manual.

 

[ddawg16]

My response was specific to the Liberty and all later model jeeps with the new NP/Nv transfer cases....

The Liberty came with two different trasfer cases...Command Trac and Select Trac

The selections for the Command Trac are
2H
4H
N
4L

Yes....with this xfer case, front and rear are totally locked....but I don't really recall the Command Trac being used very much....

Every Liberty I saw had the Select Trac which has
2H
4H Part Time
4H Full Time
N
4L

So....if your Liberty has the the Select Trac....putting it in 4H Full Time will be fine for all arond driving...

My jeep with the Dana 300 does not have a Full Time mode....if I'm in 4H...I'm locked front and rear....if I flip the switchs for my ARB....I'm really locked up....

 

[nissan_crawler]

in bad weather, i leave my truck in 4H when i park it. more than once over the years, i didnt and couldnt get the damn lever to move.
but this was back in the day before they had them new fangled "idiot" lights telling you were in 4wheel.

Same here. I would rather be stuck in 4x4 and have to unlock hubs (probably not an option with the liberty though) for 2wd, than be stuck in 2wd and not have 4x4 at all. I also learned to leave it in second gear. I had it freeze in first and third, neither were fun, especially driving around town in third gear for 3 days.

Seriously - if you are comfortable going 75 with the current road conditions then do you really need 4WD?

In many of the road conditions in ND, yes. I didn't do 75, but 60-65 wasn't uncommon in 4x4. There are conditions other than ice.

 

[tdkkart]

The Liberty came with two different trasfer cases...Command Trac and Select Trac

The selections for the Command Trac are
2H
4H
N
4L

Yes....with this xfer case, front and rear are totally locked....but I don't really recall the Command Trac being used very much....

The Command Trac was used standard in the base "sport" models, Selec-trac was used in the Limited models. We have an '02 with the Command Trac.

Why anyone makes a 4x4 with a center diff is beyond me, WTF is the point of 4WD when if one wheel loses traction everything comes to a stop??
I've been in more than one situation where I'd have been screwed with a center diff, particularly on ice.
Full time 4wd is for yuppies that have no idea what they're doing and should be staying home on 4wd days.

Put your part time 4wd in gear on a dry surface sometime and pay attention to what it sounds and feels like. Use this as your indicator of when you should be in or out of 4wd, if it sounds and feels bound up drop it into 2wd.
I row our Liberty in and out of 4wd all the time, at highway speeds, as needed. If I see a nasty spot coming up I pull it in, drive through and then drop it back out.

Although I ***** about our Liberty all the time, in reality I'm fairly impressed with it. The 4wd is very capable and works very well for those times when most people would need 4wd. We've driven it 95,000 miles with zero issues other than ball joints covered by recalls, and a pair of dead axle seals.

My only real complaint is that for a vehicle it's size it gets terrible gas mileage, primarily because it's so damn heavy. Look at the undercarriage of a Ford Escape, compare it to a Liberty and you'll see a HUGE difference.

 

[belvedere]

tdkkart, I agree. I'm impressed w/ the 4x4 capability of our Libby, too. You're right: it's much different than cute-utes like the Escape.

 

[Ex-Pat]

Why anyone makes a 4x4 with a center diff is beyond me, WTF is the point of 4WD when if one wheel loses traction everything comes to a stop??
I've been in more than one situation where I'd have been screwed with a center diff, particularly on ice.
Full time 4wd is for yuppies that have no idea what they're doing and should be staying home on 4wd days.

a well designed center diff is a great idea it allows for great maneuverability whilst in 4 wheel drive reversing my trailer on wet grass with my 95 "yuppie " Range Rover with over 200K on it is a breeze. The viscous coupling locking and unlocking seamlessly with no drama makes me look like I kinda know what I am doing

If the going gets real tough in Uwharrie on Street tires it will go as far as applying the brake to the two wheels in the air making the open diffs send the power the wheels that are in contact, neat huh

 

[lawfarm]

The Command Trac was used standard in the base "sport" models, Selec-trac was used in the Limited models. We have an '02 with the Command Trac.

Why anyone makes a 4x4 with a center diff is beyond me, WTF is the point of 4WD when if one wheel loses traction everything comes to a stop??
I've been in more than one situation where I'd have been screwed with a center diff, particularly on ice.
Full time 4wd is for yuppies that have no idea what they're doing and should be staying home on 4wd days.

Put your part time 4wd in gear on a dry surface sometime and pay attention to what it sounds and feels like. Use this as your indicator of when you should be in or out of 4wd, if it sounds and feels bound up drop it into 2wd.
I row our Liberty in and out of 4wd all the time, at highway speeds, as needed. If I see a nasty spot coming up I pull it in, drive through and then drop it back out.

Although I ***** about our Liberty all the time, in reality I'm fairly impressed with it. The 4wd is very capable and works very well for those times when most people would need 4wd. We've driven it 95,000 miles with zero issues other than ball joints covered by recalls, and a pair of dead axle seals.

My only real complaint is that for a vehicle it's size it gets terrible gas mileage, primarily because it's so damn heavy. Look at the undercarriage of a Ford Escape, compare it to a Liberty and you'll see a HUGE difference.

Selectrac was also standard on all diesel Liberties, whether a limited or not.

I had a liberty CRD with selectrac and loved it. When driving on roads that were dry, then wet, then snowy, then dry, I'd put it in 4Hi Full and leave it. Drove like that much of the winter. 4Hi Full, with open center differential, gives better stability than either 2wd or 4hi--if you want an explanation here, let me know and I'll provide it (or you can google it). You could definitely tell the difference between 4Hi Lock and 4Hi Full; it was incredibly stable on the road, in any conditions, in 4Hi Full.

The other thing I liked to do was break trails in the snow in 4Hi Full. It did a great job with a set of 255/70R16 tires on it and a 2.5" lift...was darn near unstoppable. And if you did get stuck, usually, I could throw it into 4Hi Lock and back out of wherever I was. I learned that trick by learning to snowplow in a late 70s GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 with the NP203 full time transfer case. I'd plow in 4Hi Full time. If I got stuck, I could lock the center differential, and usually get out without a problem. Of course, once you learn to plow properly, you never really get stuck...but I digress.

If you get a chance to compare full time and part time 4wd on the same vehicle in winter driving, you'll come to appreciate the full time feature. It came standard on my diesel, but I'd have gladly paid for it as an option. If I could have it as an option on my current truck, I'd love to. The selectrac is awesome because it not only includes 4Hi Full and 4Hi Lock, but also includes 4Lo (lock) and 2wd. It is the best of all possible worlds.

And again--for the criticism of Dawg above, his post clearly talks about 4Hi Full and 4Hi Lock. If your truck doesn't have 4Hi Full, then his discussion is inapplicable.

 

[Identaltech]

I got the wife a baby jeep (liberty) when the roads are snow packed she drives the 19 mile to work in 4h. I to was impressed with this jeep in the snow.
With the EPS system if you can keep it from being hi centered in deep snow your not getting stuck.
She wanted a small Suv and I liked that is had real axles and built heavier than the others, and you can turn it around in the garage.
yes gas milage suffers from this but anything that gets more than 15mpg if find by me.
and yes I belive in the lug nut rule. the more nuts the safer.

 

[crewchief888]

Same here. I would rather be stuck in 4x4 and have to unlock hubs (probably not an option with the liberty though) for 2wd, than be stuck in 2wd and not have 4x4 at all. I also learned to leave it in second gear. I had it freeze in first and third, neither were fun, especially driving around town in third gear for 3 days.



thats the other thing that gets me, with all the newfangled technology, lockouts are a thing of the past on most SUV's and 1/2 ton pickups. correct me if i'm wrong, but ford's the only one that i can think of that still has lockouts on f250 - 550 (manually shifted xfer case)
it's convienent as hell not forgetting to lock/unlock hubs,
but most trucks and SUV's will never see anything but a dirt road or some snow. my 2000 gmc has seen some off road use, but 99.9 percent of the time it's on dry pavement, it'd be nice not to drag the CV axles around , maybe i'd get some decent mileage

 

[1Garageman]

Thanks a lot for the help and information guys! I love the safety I get out of driving my jeep in 4 wheel drive. I don't want to damage it and end up paying a ton of money down the road. I think that from now on I will always make sure that I own a vehicle that has 4 wheel drive. When dad and I go fishing we've justed it also to go to some creeks and stuff.
Thanks again everyone!

 

[SurgePGH]

Just remember... 4X4 is ONLY better than 2WD to get you moving! It seems that ALOT of the people in this area seem to forget... You still only have 4 brakes just like everyone else! This past week that we got pounded with snow here, I have seen more 4X4s wrecked on the side of the road than 2WD vehicles.

 

[1Garageman]

Just remember... 4X4 is ONLY better than 2WD to get you moving! It seems that ALOT of the people in this area seem to forget... You still only have 4 brakes just like everyone else! This past week that we got pounded with snow here, I have seen more 4X4s wrecked on the side of the road than 2WD vehicles.

ya thanks for the tip. I slid the other day only 3 feet, but relized if there had been a car coming, BANG!

 

[jmack]

Just remember... 4X4 is ONLY better than 2WD to get you moving! It seems that ALOT of the people in this area seem to forget... You still only have 4 brakes just like everyone else! This past week that we got pounded with snow here, I have seen more 4X4s wrecked on the side of the road than 2WD vehicles.

Tell that to the guy from ND above who thinks he needs 4wd because of snow conditions, but it's perfectly safe to do 65mph..lol.

also see that mentality with the soccer-moms in SUVs around here when it snows - they think 4wd means invincible and those SUVs are the ones you see in accidents, not the 2wd cars.

 

[tyrell2004]

I learned a good lesson in 4wd driving while living in Mammoth in the Eastern Sierra. I was headed down the Sherwin grade on 395 south towards Bishop, basically a 3500 foot straight highway climb in about 25 miles.
It had snowed all night but they plow the heck out of the road so there was only 2-inches, but it was a wet snow, and still flurrying as we dropped down in elevation.
Had the kid in the car seat in the back of the Nissan Pathfinder in 4wd.
hmmmm.. I think instead of hitting the brakes on the way down I'll down shift into second,(auto Trans) and just cruise down the hill.
Well I was gong faster that I thought as soon as the shift down happened, back end comes around and did a complete 360 turn, felt like slow motion and then I kept rolling on down the road. Missed the berms and going off the road. I pull over,very little traffic, thank goodness. and turn to look at my son in the car seat. He's got a "Lets do that again daddy smile" on his face, my face is ghost white.
Learned, slow and steady, no quick moves, double your est. stopping distance and you'll be ok. Watch out for the other guys going way to fast!!
Watched many tourists and few of my own skids in 4wd.
But that pathfinder could plow through just about any snow in 4 low.

 

[Ign]

Just remember... 4X4 is ONLY better than 2WD to get you moving! It seems that ALOT of the people in this area seem to forget... You still only have 4 brakes just like everyone else! This past week that we got pounded with snow here, I have seen more 4X4s wrecked on the side of the road than 2WD vehicles.

Not at all. 4wd is also superior for down-shifting and compression braking; these are merely concepts that most yuppies don't understand, and since just about everything has an automatic these days know one seems to remember why there are selections other than "D" for going forward.

On another note completely agree that center diffs are worthless in a truck. Give me a t-case that just sends power equally front and rear. Simple. Easy.

 

[voetsek]

The one thing that no one mentioned is not to shift in and out of 4wd at hight speeds. You can run in 2wd or 4wd at speed, but try to slow down under 30 or so to engage or disengage the gears.

 

[Ex-Pat]

On another note completely agree that center diffs are worthless in a truck. Give me a t-case that just sends power equally front and rear. Simple. Easy.

I am missing something here
How do you turn then? Surely the front and rear axle are travelling different distances ( differing Radii ) does this not lead to axle wind up ? It sure does if I lock my center diff.

unless of course you go back to 2 wheel drive which is defeating the whole purpose of owning a 4 wheel drive

 

[lawfarm]

I am missing something here
How do you turn then? Surely the front and rear axle are travelling different distances ( differing Radii ) does this not lead to axle wind up ? It sure does if I lock my center diff.

unless of course you go back to 2 wheel drive which is defeating the whole purpose of owning a 4 wheel drive

That's why 4wd, with a locked center diff, is intended to only be used on low-traction (snowy, icey, muddy, etc.) roads. On those roads, tire slip accounts for the difference in radii, instead of a center differential. It's also why I think a center differential (albeit one that is lockable) is a superior setup.

 

[crewchief888]

Thanks a lot for the help and information guys! I love the safety I get out of driving my jeep in 4 wheel drive. I don't want to damage it and end up paying a ton of money down the road. I think that from now on I will always make sure that I own a vehicle that has 4 wheel drive. When dad and I go fishing we've justed it also to go to some creeks and stuff.
Thanks again everyone!

just rememebr, the rubber side goes down