Hi folks,

May sound like a dumb question, but this '97 Silverado 4x4 7.4L is my first 4WD vehicle. I have had AWD before (Audi) with locking centre and rear diff's. Leaving the diff's locked in wet or snowy conditions was fine, although sharp cornering at low speeds wasn't ideal.

I have a 75 km commute each way and wonder if I can leave 4hi engaged when the roads are snow covered without damaging anything. Are speeds up to about 100 km/h OK in 4hi?

Thanks,
Glenn

 

The cardinal rule is as long as there is wet or low traction it's OK to go indefinitely with 4HI, but even a short distance(less than 5 miles) on dry pavement can cause expensive damage to your transfer case. It's called "Axle Bind" and it's ugly. Google it.

Legal highway speeds are ok, but if it's safe enough to go 60MPH(@85KPH), you can get by with 2WD.(and the better MPG that comes with it) I know I wouldn't whup my 4WD unit around at highway speeds for too long.

 

Thank you. You may well have saved me a lot of money.

 

You can really rip up the tires bad by leaving it in 4wd too long also. My Dad took the Dmax on a 40mile round trip and came back with the insides and outsides of the front tires being bald. Needless to say, the owner, my mom, was PO'd