T2 in 4H on semi-gritted roads?

[Toons37uk]

Please be gentle....

Just how slippy does the road surface need to be to run in 4H? My last disco was permanent 4WD thus removing the need for a decision, my X-Trail 'seems' to be okay running in 4WD on winter road surfaces but the transmission instructions on the drivers sun visor of my T2 have got me worried.

Taking it (too) literally, it seems to imply that you should only select 4H after you've lost traction whilst en route to nearest ditch. What's the up-shot of driving in 4H on marginal roads? (no gritters out around Coalvile as far as I can tell).

Or am I thinking too much again? Feel free to label me as anally retentive, you wouldn't be the first.

Cheers

Tony

54 Terrano II 3.0Di SVE Auto
56 X Trail 2.2dci SVE man
Bailey Senator California

 

[jims-terrano]

Hi Tony, you'll be surprised at how much traction a T2 has in 2wd. However I guess you have to think about it, if you can clearly see your running over the hard tarmac then air on the side of caution and slip it back into 2wd. Don't forget you can change between 2H and 4H on the move with speed restrictions but if you think you need 4wd then why are you driving fast. You need to stop to engage 4L!

Problem you'll get with these is transmission wind up, you can feel it getting stiff and slowing you down. Also it becomes very hard to steer but bare in mind steering feels different in 4wd too.

Jim T

 

[zippy]

going over hard ground for short distances in a straight line will definitely not put you in any bother. Basically look at the road ahead - when it looks slippy it is and pull into 4wd on the move, when the road looks ok then slip it back into 2wd - well thats what I do anyway. I basically keep a constant speed in keeping with the road conditions and use the second stick to go in and out of 4wd.

Regards
Lee

 

[clivvy]

i think this is actually a really good question. For people like me, who A: are new to 4x4 and B: havent driven their 4x4 cos its screwed, these simple questions really help.

 

[P40MRT]

I have manual hubs on mine and live in the land of many roundabouts. To be honest, the last few days I've left it in 4H constantly, but our roads haven't been gritted particularly well, and I've just been avoiding tight turns! I can still do 50-70mph quite comfortably on our dual carriageways as they're straight and not dry. No sign of any wind up in normal driving. However, it's now getting to the stage when I'll have to think about going back to RWD.

Dale

 

[Toons37uk]

i think this is actually a really good question. For people like me, who A: are new to 4x4 and B: havent driven their 4x4 cos its screwed, these simple questions really help.

Cheers all :thumbs

I was fine till yesterday, then got it all sideways turning onto our drive. It was actually quite controllable and therefore really good fun but I did'nt hit the neighbours new 3 series which probably would have soured the mood a little .

Just don't want to be sitting in a ditch upside down wishing I hadn't been quite so nervous about when to select 4H.

Snow setting (*) for the a/t certainly helps.

Thanks again

Tony

PS Don't want to be too girly, but this forum rocks! Okay that's over, feeling manly again now Grrrrrr!

 

[CaptLimey]

Hi Toons

I've just done about 150 miles today, mainly in 4WD High, on roads that were either slushy or not gritted at all and covered with packed or soft snow. When I did get to a clear but still wet road I changed to 2WD at slow speed then back to 4WD H on the move when back on slippery stuff. Travelled at up to 50 mph on straight clear snow covered road & had no problems at all. Welcome to the sunny south of France!

Regards CL

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

i'd say if you think any windup that might occur can be lost on regular doses
of snow, ice or slush. if you can see metaled surface clearly then go 2wd
after all theres still the lsd atleast on a t2. tbh missing it on the troll as the
rear locker is all or nothing.