I've mentioned in earlier posts that my wife and I live up on a mountain in North Georgia. It's an asphalt road and we have two approximately 400' - 500' slopes/inclines we have to drive up to get to our house. It becomes a little tricky when there is snow or the road is wet after a rain. We decided to trade our 2024 Nissan Frontier ProX in on a 2025 Nissan Frontier Pro4X with the hopes that it will be easier to get up to the house in those instances. I've never owned a 4WD vehicle before. I've done a lot of research on how it functions and when to use the different modes. My question concerns driving on asphalt/pavement. Everything I've read, and videos I've watched, caution that it's not a good idea to drive on asphalt/pavement in 4WD mode, especially turning. I think I understand the reason for this. What about using the 4WD mode to help get up the two inclines when they are wet/snowy? That's why we made the switch. Anyone willing to coach me along? I'll admit I might not have explained our concerns very well but look forward to any questions, comments or suggestions. Thanks.
Need some help with a 4WD question
- Thread starter Sierra048
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You are correct, it's not ideal to drive in 4x4 mode on dry pavement b/c the f/r axles are locked together via the transfer case. While you have open diffs on both of those axles (typically) to handle differences in wheel speeds wheel to wheel on the same axle, you now are missing that front to rear and they can bind. If you take a 4x4 truck in 4x4 high for instance and try to turn sharply around in a culdesac, they will bind up a bit which of course isn't great in the long term. On offroad surfaces, ice, dirt, sand, etc. they can slip a bit so it reduces that issue. To your question - you are fine to drive up the driveway...so much of this stuff is just internet boogie man that if you do it once you will hose your truck's drivetrain, that is not true. It's fine...seriously....
I have driven 4x4 trucks offroad for years for my career - I don't know of any that blew up early due to forgetting to take it out of 4x4 pulling onto a paved road and driving for a bit before realizing this and shifting back to 2wd. Also, as my example above, it has to be REALLY turned to ever feel this binding...slight turns it will be imperceptible.
I have driven 4x4 trucks offroad for years for my career - I don't know of any that blew up early due to forgetting to take it out of 4x4 pulling onto a paved road and driving for a bit before realizing this and shifting back to 2wd. Also, as my example above, it has to be REALLY turned to ever feel this binding...slight turns it will be imperceptible.
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When you climb the asphalt dry, you likely won't bind up unless there are real twists to your driveway. I've seen both.
Some AWD systems will talk to you on every dry common turn, so be aware that you'll be taking your vehicle OUT of 4WD perhaps sooner than you expect.
I hope the tires you got are correct for your situation.
Like most everybody else, you might benefit from an "HT" (highway tire) version.
Some AWD systems will talk to you on every dry common turn, so be aware that you'll be taking your vehicle OUT of 4WD perhaps sooner than you expect.
I hope the tires you got are correct for your situation.
Like most everybody else, you might benefit from an "HT" (highway tire) version.
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That's what 4WD is for, and you'll be fine.
In simple terms - in 4WD your transmission needs a "fuse" to take the tension off. The tension coming from your wheels riding a different distance (ex: external wheel in a turn drives a longer distance than the internal one).
On the dry, the wheels stick to the road and don't give in. The transmission becomes your fuse. Not good.
In slippery conditions, your wheels slip a little and take the tension off. There's your fuse. Transmission is ok.
One way or the other - read your manual. These systems are so smart nowadays, they are able to deal with most user errors. Your manual will clearly state what not to do.
Your transfer case is locked in 4wd. So both the front and rear driveshafts must turn at the same speed. When turning you rely on a wheel slip to not break something. If the pavement is wet or has snow on it - this should not be an issue, the wheel will simply spin a bit.
I suggest taking your new 4wd to a gravel road or open field and put it in 4wd and drive around slowly - making turns and such. It will give you a better appreciation for this as you will feel the wheels slip.
Up and down won't be an issue. Are there tight turns? That is when you will feel the slip.
I suggest taking your new 4wd to a gravel road or open field and put it in 4wd and drive around slowly - making turns and such. It will give you a better appreciation for this as you will feel the wheels slip.
Up and down won't be an issue. Are there tight turns? That is when you will feel the slip.
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4WD
$50 site donor 2025
As my handle here implies - I have always owned 4WD’s and also had them in fleet use etc … However - they all work differently and the best place to start is your owner’s manual …
AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
Wet, snow, dirt - 4wd. Dry pavement - 2wd. All you need to know.
Your owner's manual says this if you believe it:
Your owner's manual says this if you believe it:
its part-time 4wd with a 2 speed transfer case.. with 4wd modes not to be used on dry high traction surfaces (such as cement or asphalt)
or even wet.
if there is enough snow to need 4wd it will be ok to be in 4wd.. steering may be messy however.
as wheels need to slip (in a turn) when in 4wd.
Note: during a turn all 4 wheels will be turning at different speeds
only significant turning is an issue small corrections will likely be fine even in dry.
if road is dry leave out of 4wd unless its dirt or loose gravel.
in wet try to leave out of 4wd in curves if possible.
you may notice the vehicle plows somewhat instead of responding to small turning inputs and steering binding.
ie it wont idle forward on flat ground with wheel turned.
Where awd is vastly superior is highway travel in inclement conditions..
4wd is more for offroad.. or the worst conditions on road.. not for going 55mph onroad.
Note this particular type of 4wd is usually referred to as part time 4wd.
there are a few other types of 4wd they usually have an auto mode.. and are a more complicated setup.
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
Watching a forth of a video - looks like that model has an E-locker in the rear - so you could use when that area of concern is slippery …
As others have noted - they don’t turn on a dime in 4WD - but with limited traction you won’t break the driveline …
As others have noted - they don’t turn on a dime in 4WD - but with limited traction you won’t break the driveline …
AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
You'll be fine it ain't rocket surgery.
4wd will get you up the hill in nearly anything. Freezing rain can be a problem as can melting and refreezing daytime thaws to night freezes. If possible when these conditions exist I put a side off the drive in the yard or just cut thought the yard. Not sure if you have room to do that. Just don't turn on dry pavement with 4wd locked in. Straight won't be an issue.
I saw this in the owner's manual. My concern was the turning part more than anything else. Unless I missed it, which is totally possible, I didn't see anything about turning in 4WD.
The truck came with all terrain tires.
Just wanted to thank all who took the time to respond and offer help and advice. I think I'll get the hang of it after more usage. Never needed 4WD in my 71 years on this earth. I knew BITOG was the place to go to get the answers I needed. Very much appreciated.
Why don't you just get something that uses a Mercedes like 4matic config? It's always in 4wd, but has open diffs front, rear, and center. Any wheel slippage is detected by the wheel speed sensors, and brakes are applied on that wheel to transfer power to the other 3.
And one advantage of the Nissan ... It doesn't have any sort of front axle disconnect. If it's in 4x4, it's in 4x4 and you know it.
Don't overthink it. Folks have been using traditional 4x4s for a long time. Again...just don't go do steering wheel lock turn arounds for hours on dry pavement
If there's a center diff present, you can drive in 4x4 on any surface, if not, keep it for when it's slippery, or just in a straight line.
Not sure what a center diff is and how that would affect driving. Can you help me out? Thanks.
