5 Things You Should NEVER Do in a 4X4 Vehicle

Today I go over some basics on what you should not do in a 4x4 vehicle!

First up on the list is to never floor it to try and get unstuck. This will actually get your truck even more stuck, because there is less friction between the tire and the ground making you continue to spin. Getting unstuck should be controlled and worked slowly to gain every bit of traction possible. It's when the truck is going zero that you don't want to spin, because you won't move at all. It would be helpful to have some recovery boards or a tow strap or even a winch in this case.

Next up is switching into 4 low. This should only be done when the vehicle is stopped and the truck is in neutral. Most vehicles now have a lock out to where it won't work unless you are stopped and in neutral. When you use 4 low, the front axle will be "locked" with the rear axle to spin at the same rate so in order for them to sync and be locked properly, the rear axle needs to not be moving in order to do so. By not following this procedure, you can risk putting added wear and tear on mechanical components which would cost a lot more than taking the time to do it correctly.

When to use traction control VS not to use it is next. Traction control is your friend when you are out on the roads, driving in the snow, ice or rain and is designed to keep you safe and detect when a tire starts to spin to allow the truck to stay stable and on the road. Traction control is not your friend offroad, in this case, you should know what you are doing off the pavement and use the full capabilities of the truck by turning it off. This will allow the tires to spin if needed and allow you to have full control of the throttle to get through whatever terrain it may be!

Cleaning your vehicle is very important after a great day on the trails! This will keep your truck in proper working conditions for the time you are driving out on the roads and keep everything mechanical working properly as well. Inspect the underside of the vehicle for rocks or branches that could be trapped within the frame or brakes and make sure you are ready for the drive home. This will keep your truck in great shape for the long run and you can still have fun on the trails! The best of both worlds!

Last up is to not lock differentials on the pavement. This is a recipe for disaster for sure because this means that both the wheels on the same axle are now locked to spin at the same rate. That's great for the trails because the wheels have less friction and can still spin fine in loose rocks or sand, but on dry pavement, friction is greatly increase and you will experience wheel skid or spin especially turning and case greatly increase stress on the mechanical components of the truck.

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#toyotatacoma #offroading #4x4vehicle #toyota #tacomatrd #trdoffroad #offroadingatacoma

[papageo]

Over all, good advise. But I fully argue on rule #1. In mud or snow you actually NEED wheel spin to clear the mud or snow from your tires. Your tires will simply not work if the tread is full! So, spin that crap out of your tread! That is a good reason to turn stability control off in an off road situation, because while your vehicle is braking the spinning tires, it is not allowing them to spin and clear themselves. Stability control should be turned off in most off road situations. But as I said, good advise over all, and great video. Thanks for the free entertainment!

[bigrigcook]

Wow. Very informative. I've watched a dozen ore so videos on how and when to use the different 4x4 functions and yours was the best and most educational. You're also a very humble and sincere young man. Thank you! 👍

[fjron]

About that '99 Suburban. The only thing that comes to mind about the driveline noise might be that some of those older systems with automatic locking hubs, you had to unlock them by driving in reverse for one car length after shifting into two wheel drive. Otherwise you are still turning the driveshaft and front axles. I don't know what year that they updated that system so you did not have to do that.

[MrKongpvu]

Good tips you gave! Offroading is like most things... very dynamic so all things can change and you may need to alter the recommendation you made from time to time.
After some friends watched your video they asked about the parts to inspect and what buttons or levers to actuate to get into all those modes. I think if you showed some clips of what you were talking about it would help a lot. It's very cool so many new people are getting into offroading and these videos help them a lot.
Again good job!

[salty_terminal_civilian]

My 05 Tahoe can't even go into 4L unless in neutral.

[SixStringflyboy]

Great tips, exactly what I was looking for. Just bought a '16 4x4 TRD Sport last week, same color. 4 Hi paid for itself on the snow & ice this morning.

[johnbielenda]

Need to put into 4H once in awhile to keep everything working, but do it in a straight line, no turns.(on dry)

[DMHal]

Totally agree with cleaning after off-roading.

[mai-lysgondea]

Man, so much info. I have asimple question: what gear do I use to climb a steep, winding asphalted driveway in summer conditions. I drive a FJ Cruiser. What is my best option? Thanks.

[itpromd]

Question, if I want to go back to H2 from low, is it advised to flip to neutral, then back to H4/H2 instead of flipping straight from low to high?

[esketpadeken]

Curious what issues you had in your 2007 with mud, my 12 sees mud everyday

[olga]

Driving to Tahoe next week . First time driving in snow in my tAcoma Trd 4x4. Any tips ?

[fjron]

Using a winch is Ok. It is a lot less stress on the drivetrain to yank a stuck vehicle
by using a tow hook on the rear of the tow vehicle when possible. It is not always possible,
but when you have a choice use the hook on the rear of the tow vehicle. Using a winch does
not stress the drivetrain.

[slightly_]

In a 6 speed manual transmission you have to first be in 4H be stationary and in 1st gear to engage 4LO

[chrism]

You should have mentioned in your clean up part that its also super inconsiderate to other people on the road to be having mud chunks and rocks falling off and hitting their cars. some people have very nice cars, I of which have both. I can tell you first hand that not only do I keep my truck cleaned up immediately after hitting pavement, but also hate going down the highway in my nice cars and being attacked, chipping the front end and windshield with dried chunks of mud and rocks that fall off!! .

[mcc]

Great video. Thanks
Can you make a more detail video on how to operate craw control.

[LimitedGunnerGM]

I have the same truck in a Manual. 4H to 4L is stupid. In neutral, stopped, barely moving, clutch in, clutch out... it also seems like the truck has to be perfectly level or it never engages. This is the only aspect about my Taco that infuriates me.

[ianc]

4:45 I thought the only way to achieve both axles rotating at the same speed was to use a center locker or engaging a front and rear locker at the same time, not putting it in 4lo with just saves your clutch

[emtlao]

Yes, I clean my off road truck each time I go off road cuz I like keep my truck clean. I took care of my truck.

[legioxequestris]

Leave the mud on the truck, clean the underside. Problem solved!! Best of both worlds 🤣🤣