2WD versus 4WD

[Sparky11]

What advantages are there in driving 2WD, personally I think 4WD gives you more control which you probably cant feel until things go wrong, I have had mine in 4WD since new but wonder if I am doing any long term damage by not using 2WD on the highway.

[GHendo]

4H is fine to use all the time – on dirt and bitumen. I’ve used 4H on the road for a few years now and haven’t seen any noticeable extra tyre wear or fuel consumption. It is much safer and many vehicles these days are locked into that mode anyway – ie. you just can’t select 2-wheel drive.

4HLC is a different matter, of course – that’s for dirt and off road only.

Cheers

Geoff

[Ian H]

many vehicles these days are locked into that mode anyway

Yep, like a Prado for example. It's also known as AWD, like in a Subaru.

[Glenno]

Hi Sparky,

I had an NP GLS and had it in 4wd for most of it's 300,000km with no issues. Occasionally switched to 2wd but 99% of its life was in 4wd on bitumen and occasional off-road without any mechanical problems. Feels more secure on the road especially when towing so just leave it in 4wd.

Cheers

Glenno

[gaz1]

I've always tended towards 4WD both in the NM and now the NT, on and off the bitumen. But usually every few weeks I give it some workouts of changing between 2WD/4WD, in the hope it will keep the change mechanism(s) from forgetting how they should work.

[Wyld]

Hey,

Funny difference with me, run on 2 on road always, traction control and all that to do it's thing if it gets slippy. 4h and any of the other options only when needed off-road. Thinking cv joints, diff wear, more strain on engine driving all four etc.

Happy to be told differently

Brenton

[pajeromack]

Dealer told me 2WD gives slightly better economy.
I've also experience a bit of wheel skipping (windup?) on corners in full lock in 4h.

[stumagoo]

there is potential for more wear on your front diff and CV's but I personally believe that is so minor that no one would ever really notice it on a regular vehicle. other than that its more to do with maximising fuel economy and tire wear..... and again that will likely be in the area of <$10 a week as far as I am concerned..... that said my NL still lives in 2wd on the bitumen

[Pajshomoneroguntero]

The problem with 2H and the traction control is the computer cutting power at the point where you need to “go” even if that means spinning the wheels for a bit. A couple of forumites at least can tell the tale of pulling out into oncoming traffic only to have power cut at the worst time because of being in 2H.

As for CV wear they’re turning all the time anyway. I also can’t see how there would be any more strain on the engine in 4H over 2H. You’re still trying to move the same mass. If anything I’d say there is more strain on the driveline in 2H given all drive has to go through two rather than four wheels.

[mrbitchi]

I always had my Paj in 2wd unless on slippery surfaces. Used to get a slight drone when in 4H on bitumen.
The Cruiser is permanent 4WD and no issues with that at all.

[stumagoo]

The problem with 2H and the traction control is the computer cutting power at the point where you need to “go” even if that means spinning the wheels for a bit. A couple of forumites at least can tell the tale of pulling out into oncoming traffic only to have power cut at the worst time because of being in 2H.

As for CV wear they’re turning all the time anyway. I also can’t see how there would be any more strain on the engine in 4H over 2H. You’re still trying to move the same mass. If anything I’d say there is more strain on the driveline in 2H given all drive has to go through two rather than four wheels.

CV's are being over driven when in 2wd.... so the wear is on the opposite surface to that which is being loaded when the engine is driving.... if that makes sense..... but as I said I believe that even that argument is academic and that real world practical results will be marginally different between one and the other option

[Phree_ed]

Always leave mine in 4wd and personally can't see the point of having a 2wd option in a vehicle that's designed to be able to run in 4wd all the time. Constant 4wd's been around since at least the first Range Rovers and Jensen FF even earlier and they along with the Paj get better traction all the time in 4wd

When I see fuel consumption figures in this forum they are never better than what I get although I'm not sure which figures relate to 2wd drivers and which to 4wd.

In the end it's personal choice I guess but check the card in the sunvisor before you tow. It states that you should be in 4wd when towing and from my brother's personal experience at least, towing in 2wd wears the rear tyres out quite quickly. He went through a set of rear tyres towing a 2300kg van from Brisbane to Darwin and back in a manual NP Exceed some years ago. Had load levellers but no airbags or suspension mods.

[littleriver]

2H unless have to use the wipers then into 4H (also on gravel) ... offroad/ beach 4HLc .. 4LLc on soft sand and steep terrain ... and if all else fails 4LLc with diff locker ...

Still a learning curve ...

...

[Axis]

4H for us most of the time. Every couple of weeks I cycle through the modes.

I don't notice any difference in economy between 2H and 4H.

[flyboy]

I wonder how some people drive if they need 4H to drive around “more safely” on bitumen. Even on wet bitumen I’d have to make a conscious effort to try and spin the wheels to break traction.