Questions about towing and 4X4.

[Jeremy_K]

I'll be moving from NM to PA this Friday with a stop in Western NY. We're getting an awful lot of snow on the interstate in Eastern NM. I'll be towing my car on a Uhaul car hauler behind my Yukon. What is the max speed while in Auto 4X4? Are there any precautions for towing in 4X4? I'm no stranger to driving in snow but I've never towed where conditions might warrant the need for 4X4. The manual says I can switch to 4Hi at any speed but I'm a little leary of that.

 

[Rollin Thunder]

the computer is so smart, if your gunna do somthing that will hurt it, it will not do it. like shifting in to 4wd at speed, if your going to fast it will not engauge, just blink and go back to what ever you had selected previously.

**I** would not worry at all about even being in true 4wd while towing since your in snow as its slippery and wont cause gear binding. there is no limit that i know of for auto 4wd. when ever it rains here i go to auto 4x4 and even at highway speeds i have had it there many times.


p.s. while i would not reccommend doing it i have towed two yamaha jetski's through sand in 4x4, went for 5 miles down the coast line back to the rental house, even in sand still had traction, averages about 30 mpg while doing that.

 

[jayhawk25]

I am in KS and we have gotten quite a bit of snow here the past week, the roads are real bad some pretty much solid ice. anyhow, i have been using the auto 4x4 and have had no problems driving on the roads going through snow drifts or through the slush that gets piled up. I have driven mine in Auto 4X4 on the highway at regular speeds of about 65mph w/no problems and switched from 2hi to Auto 4X4 while moving and have had no issues. I read my manual before using and it says you can switch into Auto 4x4 at any speed except when switching from 4Lo. So i wouldnt worry about damaging the tranny using Auto 4x4.

 

[T-pole]

I have a 99 Expedition. I don't have the 2WD option on it, only Auto 4wd, 4hi, 4lo.

That being said, there is no limit to speed in auto 4wd. 4HI also has no limit, but should only be used on wet pavement.

 

[energ]

thats in a ford.. always different from each manufacturer

its not especially good to be driving in 4hi at speeds OVER 55-60mph
or on dry pavement
auto 4wd is also not good on dry pavement, when turning it notices the differences in wheel speeds and engages in 4wd

 

[Rollin Thunder]

thats in a ford.. always different from each manufacturer

its not especially good to be driving in 4hi at speeds OVER 55-60mph
or on dry pavement
auto 4wd is also not good on dry pavement, when turning it notices the differences in wheel speeds and engages in 4wd

yea but he is on snow, so its fine.