2H or 4H?

Mikey D

Been driving Bronco for about a week or so, and usually drive in 2H. But tried 4H and didn't really notice much of a difference (dry normal conditions). Curious if most are driving normally with 4 wheel, or two wheel?

I would use it when I need it. And definitely don’t use it on dry, paved conditions

TK1215

I would use it when I need it. And definitely don’t use it on dry, paved conditions

4h in inclement weather 2h the rest of the time, unless you're playing off road of course.

2H as much as possible even offroad. If you have MT with AT tires you should be able to stay in 2Wd most the time offroad

4A when raining or icy

4H when icy, wet, muddy

*If you rarely use your 4WD systems, its also wise to condition your 4WD system every 1-3 months. If you do it on paved road like in your neighborhood just don't turn the tires and run it at very low speed barely touching the gas pedal if at all. Cycle through 4A, 4H, 4L, Lockers etc. This will keep everything running smoothly if ever needed. Toyota preaches this because their 4wd systems can lock up and not engage or disengage if not used or conditioned regularly.

Mikey D

Been driving Bronco for about a week or so, and usually drive in 2H. But tried 4H and didn't really notice much of a difference (dry normal conditions). Curious if most are driving normally with 4 wheel, or two wheel?

4H is only…..ONLY…when needed ! You WILL cost yourself a lot of money. READ the manual!

Others have covered it. No need to use 4 anything if conditions are dry and you're not off-roading. There's a huge difference when you use 4A in the rain though, at least in my '21 Zr2 Bison, there was.. it was just as planted as driving in dry conditions.

Perfect. Glad I asked. 2H unless needed. No 4A on my OBX.

Mikey D

Perfect. Glad I asked. 2H unless needed. No 4A on my OBX.

Modern vehicles have a slew of things helping you out in wet conditions, such as traction control, anti lock brakes, etc. You shouldn’t need 4H to drive in rain…that seems fairly excessive and most 4WD systems are not designed for pavement. If you’ve ever accidentally left your vehicle in 4WD and tried to turn on pavement, you will immediately notice a difference since now all of your wheels have power to them, making your “steering” wheels pull more then they are designed to on pavement. If it’s snowing, then this might help you a bit, although 4WD really only helps in snow after you run off road for driving too fast or slippery conditions. I could see using it in snow on the pavement on a steep incline perhaps, but that’s still not really what it’s designed for. I once drove an ex girlfriend’s Toyota Yaris through 12 hours of blizzard conditions…saw plenty of SUVs rolled over because they had four wheel drive and drivers who thought that’s what mattered more than just safe driving behavior. 4WD is designed for off road use where the ground gives. AWD is a different story…it only activates when the vehicle needs all four wheels to have power. This type of system is usually computing what power to put to what wheel as conditions change, which is helpful in rain or wet conditions in case you hit a puddle that causes you to start to hydroplane.

To sum up…save the 4WH for off roading conditions. If you get really stuck or have to pull someone out, then 4WL at very low speeds.

While safe driving is always required 4wd is a very useful tool for improved traction. 4wd (and lockers) can and often should be used in slippery/low traction conditions on and off road. Rain and snow on pavement are indeed slippery/low traction conditions. Learn to properly use the tools available for safe driving/operation. Do not use 4wd on dry pavement or high traction surfaces,

Mikey D

Been driving Bronco for about a week or so, and usually drive in 2H. But tried 4H and didn't really notice much of a difference (dry normal conditions). Curious if most are driving normally with 4 wheel, or two wheel?

From page 183 of the manual for the 2022 Bronco…

Please don’t use 4WD on just wet pavement…if you can’t handle driving in rain without , maybe don’t drive in rain…

Here is a good article explaining why driving 4WD on pavement is a bad idea:

https://dixie4wheeldrive.com/why-it-bad-idea-drive-4-wheel-drive-on-dry-pavement
I’d suggest that if you can see the pavement, then you shouldn’t be in 4WD. 2WD works completely fine in the rain…proven by the vast quantity of cars that drive every rainy day. Drive safe and you’ll be fine…

but hey, at the end of the day, it’s your Bronco and your drivetrain.

tstarks

4h in inclement weather 2h the rest of the time, unless you're playing off road of course.

OP is from Florida, 2H ALL the time on pavement in Florida. 4H if off road and in low traction conditions. Hell even the trucks in Florida don't come 4x4 and the 4runners are sold in 2WD only in FL for a reason. No snow or mud or icy conditions that would warrant 4H on road. Off road is different story

thgdfathr

Please don’t use 4WD on just wet pavement…if you can’t handle driving in rain without , maybe don’t drive in rain…

Here is a good article explaining why driving 4WD on pavement is a bad idea:

https://dixie4wheeldrive.com/why-it-bad-idea-drive-4-wheel-drive-on-dry-pavement
I’d suggest that if you can see the pavement, then you shouldn’t be in 4WD. 2WD works completely fine in the rain…proven by the vast quantity of cars that drive every rainy day. Drive safe and you’ll be fine…

but hey, at the end of the day, it’s your Bronco and your drivetrain.

Not a very well-written article. Very new to 4×4 (so new, in fact, that I am still waiting for my Bronco, and so far, have only the experience gained in a rented J**p Compass for a few weeks), and I understand the principles involved, better than that article explains them.

But I have a question, related to this one, but about the 4A mode in Broncos so equipped, as mine will be.

I started a separate thread for my question.

Mikey D

Been driving Bronco for about a week or so, and usually drive in 2H. But tried 4H and didn't really notice much of a difference (dry normal conditions). Curious if most are driving normally with 4 wheel, or two wheel?

First off, don't drive on 4wd on dry surfaces, bad for parts. Second it won't change much except for steering feel on dry surfaces. Third, it hurts gas mileage.

thgdfathr

Modern vehicles have a slew of things helping you out in wet conditions, such as traction control, anti lock brakes, etc. You shouldn’t need 4H to drive in rain…that seems fairly excessive and most 4WD systems are not designed for pavement. If you’ve ever accidentally left your vehicle in 4WD and tried to turn on pavement, you will immediately notice a difference since now all of your wheels have power to them, making your “steering” wheels pull more then they are designed to on pavement. If it’s snowing, then this might help you a bit, although 4WD really only helps in snow after you run off road for driving too fast or slippery conditions. I could see using it in snow on the pavement on a steep incline perhaps, but that’s still not really what it’s designed for. I once drove an ex girlfriend’s Toyota Yaris through 12 hours of blizzard conditions…saw plenty of SUVs rolled over because they had four wheel drive and drivers who thought that’s what mattered more than just safe driving behavior. 4WD is designed for off road use where the ground gives. AWD is a different story…it only activates when the vehicle needs all four wheels to have power. This type of system is usually computing what power to put to what wheel as conditions change, which is helpful in rain or wet conditions in case you hit a puddle that causes you to start to hydroplane.

To sum up…save the 4WH for off roading conditions. If you get really stuck or have to pull someone out, then 4WL at very low speeds.

Great advice on this thread. Thanks, all. I spoke with salesman, and he did not indicate any issues with switching to 4H on highway driving???? Glad I posted this. Also, glad I only engaged into 4H for a test while standing, and then drove a few miles. I didn't notice any difference (mostly straight highway at 45 mph) so at a stop I re-engaged 2H. Now I know!!!!!!! Hopefully, no damage, no foul.

Mikey D

Great advice on this thread. Thanks, all. I spoke with salesman, and he did not indicate any issues with switching to 4H on highway driving???? Glad I posted this. Also, glad I only engaged into 4H for a test while standing, and then drove a few miles. I didn't notice any difference (mostly straight highway at 45 mph) so at a stop I re-engaged 2H. Now I know!!!!!!! Hopefully, no damage, no foul.

You’ll be fine. The system is designed to change from 2H to 4H “on the fly,” meaning you can do it while moving, as opposed to 4L in which case you’ll have to shift to Neutral. A little highway on 4H won’t do any lasting damage, I’d be more concerned if you had driven hundreds of miles on dry pavement in 4H.