4x4 Modes

[avillaschi]

Hi all,

The Pathfinder has a dial for selection of the 4x4 mode:

2x - rear wheels only
Auto - presumably this is automatic selection, but on the dashboard all 4 wheels show as solid, though the anti-slip differential does not engage
4x4 Hi
4x4 Lo

My question is: should I leave it in 2x most of the time, or Auto? And when should I be selecting between 4x4 Hi/Lo?

Also, what are the characteristics of the "Auto" mode?

Thanks!

 

[daveg]

do you have a seperate box for 4x4 hi and low and an auto box next to it.
if you do the, the auto usually is for 2wd and 4wd but it depends on what you select. every vehicle is very similar with the gearboxes. some vehicles are permanent 4wd with high and low box only, my landcruiser used to be .that had a auto box. we would need to see the box to know the right answer.

dave g :thumb2

 

[avillaschi]

Nope, it's not a separate stick, just a circular dial on the dash.

You have to push a button in order to rotate the dial to "4x4 Lo"

 

[daveg]

so it is a newer model then. it sounds like that once you go out of 2wd it is in 4wd permanent high. you can drive in this like normal like a normal car, but low gear is for very low speed...usually for bad conditions like ice ,snow,mud etc. better kept under 30mph. it will still change like the high gears better at a lower ratio.if you intend going off road in it then low gear is appropriate.1and 2 are as they look like 1 gear and 2 gears in the selection. drive is normal driving. without knowing the optional buttons it is hard to give you advise on it , you would be better reading your manual on it. it will give you all the advise you need. or you can come to a meeting or trip and most of the boys know alot about 4x4 vehicles.

dave g :thumb2

 

[daveg]

you will be better in 2wd for fuel economy but if that doesn,t bother you then 4wd high is fine.

dave g :thumb2

 

[avillaschi]

Thanks, I've been leaving it in 2-wheel mode when driving on the roads and getting about 25mpg...

I'd love to come to a meet and am keeping an eye for the next one in the East London / Essex area or within easy reach.

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

believe auto mode, is from a pf brochure i have, where some slip might be encounted
but the centre diff is open still, and the truck uses abs and traction control to spread
power with out the windup effects of proper 4hi/lo.

 

[avillaschi]

Thanks rbrt.

As soon as I get my manuals from Nissan tomorrow I'll look this up.

 

[brianpaul]

Hi, Just upgraded to an 06 path, I have the same dial, I agree with Thomas-the-terrano, leave her in 2wd, only put into auto if there is a chance of slip she will then compensate for this.
Only put in 4wd HI if going off road or ice and snow.
Only put in 4wd LO if in extream conditions or steap off roading.

I am also getting 25mpg average all round town, and tow a 2.5 ton trailer - this is only dropping the MPG by a couple.. tows much better than my old 3ltr Troll.

I got the SVE ... plenty of toys to play with,, however am still trying to work out how to set the seat memory positions as I have no manual.

 

[lacroupade]

The brochure says:

ALL-MODE 4X4®
Nissan’s intelligent electronic four-wheel
drive system selects the ideal driving
mode for any surface: two-wheel drive for
optimum fuel economy in normal conditions,
auto-mode which varies torque spread
from 100% rear wheel drive to 50/50
front/rear, 4H mode with a 50/50 front/
rear spread for light off-road driving and
4L low ratio mode for maximum traction
on steep hills and difficult terrain.

Probably a Haldex-type diff or something....

 

[rustic]

The brochure says:

ALL-MODE 4X4®
Nissan’s intelligent electronic four-wheel
drive system selects the ideal driving
mode for any surface: two-wheel drive for
optimum fuel economy in normal conditions,
auto-mode which varies torque spread
from 100% rear wheel drive to 50/50
front/rear, 4H mode with a 50/50 front/
rear spread for light off-road driving and
4L low ratio mode for maximum traction
on steep hills and difficult terrain.

Probably a Haldex-type diff or something....

I wish I had the Auto mode on my mav, it would help on those wet roundabouts, that invariably have diesel on them. :thumb2
On the Mav, I have used 4 Hi, on very slippy roads, but slip it into 2 H on the straights..

 

[lacroupade]

I wish I had the Auto mode on my mav, it would help on those wet roundabouts, that invariably have diesel on them. :thumb2
On the Mav, I have used 4 Hi, on very slippy roads, but slip it into 2 H on the straights..

Just one more thing to go wrong LOL.

I sold my little Honda HRV which was a fantastic little car with exactly that setup, impossible to slide the bloody thing.....but three months later the centre diff let go apparently....would have cost me a packet to fix. :augie

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

think apart from being a dial i dont trust like i would a proper lever its
like the super select on shoguns. the open 4wd, or auto, is certainly
a bonus and suspect be handy towing to spread load on hard surfaces
where wouldnt want to be in proper 4 hi (locked centre)

still terranos etc have the lsd to give a virtual 4wd in 2wd eh? specially
with plenty of nose weight on back end from trailer.