Full-Time 4WD on Road

**micifus** · 12-01-2007, 05:00 PM

Hate to ask it but I am curious if any one has noticed differences.

Ok so this Sunday and Monday is going to be our fist snow storm of the year and I am going to take the jeep to work rather then the Civic

I plan on using Full Time 4wd, this is the first time I will be using Full Time. What can I expect different then the 249 AWD system. As far as performance and traction goes are they one in the same? I know with the 249 I could 45 on the high way with no worries.

Windowsrookie · 12-01-2007, 05:02 PM

Not sure, but we got the snow storm here today. Still snowing, and probably 5" on the ground. Didn't get to drive my ZJ (Radiator leaking) but drove my mom's 2004 WJ. Handled like a champ.

CLNinja · 12-01-2007, 05:31 PM

you wouldnt need 4WD for 5" of snow anyways

im curious about the difference as well... im going to be switching my 249 out for a 231.

indept · 12-01-2007, 06:01 PM

Full time 4WD is just that, full time. You can drive it on dry, snow, rain mud. No problems & you can drive 100 mph if you want. Just don't shift it back to any other position over about 40 mph.

redhatman · 12-01-2007, 06:06 PM

Its great...I am in minnesota too like windows rookie. Most people were dreading the storm, and I was excited. I could control every turn I took, and then I could just laugh at noobs in their sedans and big trucks sliding like crazy. Mine is always in fulltime 4wd.

King Lerado · 12-01-2007, 06:21 PM

your jeep was designed to be driven in 4 wheel drive, that's why its a 4x4. The only differences you may see are an increase in poor gas and some better handling, but just realize although you may have all tires rotating insteasd of just two you still need to be careful of sliping and ice. 4 wheel drive doesn't prevent that. We just got 14" at my house this morning and i had some fun, so hope you do the same.

**micifus** · 12-01-2007, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indept

Full time 4WD is just that, full time. You can drive it on dry, snow, rain mud. No problems & you can drive 100 mph if you want. Just don't shift it back to any other position over about 40 mph.

Well with the ZJs you cant switch them "On the Fly" You have to be going around 2-3mph but, I make sure I am at a dead stop.

**micifus** · 12-01-2007, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Other Matt

you wouldnt need 4WD for 5" of snow anyways

im curious about the difference as well... im going to be switching my 249 out for a 231.

A 231 will only have the part time 4wd option and that should be used sparingly. Personally I would use it on the road if there was snow on it but I know of many who would advise against unless condtions are really bad.

**micifus** · 12-01-2007, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Lerado

your jeep was designed to be driven in 4 wheel drive, that's why its a 4x4. The only differences you may see are an increase in poor gas and some better handling, but just realize although you may have all tires rotating insteasd of just two you still need to be careful of sliping and ice. 4 wheel drive doesn't prevent that. We just got 14" at my house this morning and i had some fun, so hope you do the same.

Agreed but I will be driving in varying conditions and want to know if it will will provide the same handling as the AWD did. In theory they are the same thing. Only engaging when there is slip.

-Joe- · 12-01-2007, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by micifus

Well with the ZJs you cant switch them "On the Fly" You have to be going around 2-3mph but, I make sure I am at a dead stop.

You can switch from 2wd into 4wd parttime or fulltime while moving faster then 2-3mph. Up to like ~45 mph

4WD low is what you need to be crawling to change into.

-Joe- · 12-01-2007, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Lerado

your jeep was designed to be driven in 4 wheel drive, that's why its a 4x4. The only differences you may see are an increase in poor gas and some better handling, but just realize although you may have all tires rotating insteasd of just two you still need to be careful of sliping and ice. 4 wheel drive doesn't prevent that. We just got 14" at my house this morning and i had some fun, so hope you do the same.

4wd fulltime is more like a differential between the front/rear tires. They are not locked and spinning at the same speeds.

**Trouble Maker** · 12-01-2007, 10:31 PM

With the 242 it is possible to send all the power to the axle with the least traction in Full time, especially with the extra torque a V-8 will produce

. The 242 requires more driver input than the 249 in the same situations. The 242 can be switched from Full time to Part time at speed if necessary as long as the wheels are at the same speed (ie not spinning)but for most conditions Full time mode will work just fine.

Mine has been in Full time for about the last month with occasional Part time usage on the extremely icy residential streets in town. Nice to just gas it and go from an intersection without spinning a tire.

Summer and most highway driving is 2wd, haven't noticed a difference in mileage between 2wd and 4wd Full time.

mtl4life · 12-02-2007, 11:26 AM

Can't tell you about how well it works in the snow, but it works really well in the rainstorms we get down here. Sometimes the roads are completely covered in water and starting off on an incline in such conditions can cause some serious traction problems, but using the full time feature helps a lot.

BTW, it's 83 degrees and sunny here today. Thinking of taking a dip in the pool later.

Tudds · 12-02-2007, 11:41 AM

Just drove 3 hours in the snow, when I got in my neighborhood I put it in fulltime 4x4. I wish I did that when I left this morning. It was fun to conquer the snow

CLNinja · 12-02-2007, 11:54 AM

it would help if the OP would have phrased his question correctly

He does not have Full Time 4WD anymore

he got rid of his 249 and wants to know about using his PART TIME 4WD on the road