4Hi in the rain...?

PDX-TJ · 11-17-2006, 01:39 PM

I've been driving through a lot of rain lately. Sometimes the pavement is not just wet... but there is an inch or so of standing water.

Would you run 4Hi in these conditions?

Also, how fast can you go in 4Hi? Is there a max speed?

Thanks!!

**FourbyFour** · 11-17-2006, 01:41 PM

If there's an inch of water on the ground I think you're better off just slowing down.

**Steelman** · 11-17-2006, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PDX-TJ

I've been driving through a lot of rain lately. Sometimes the pavement is not just wet... but there is an inch or so of standing water.

Would you run 4Hi in these conditions?

Also, how fast can you go in 4Hi? Is there a max speed?

Thanks!!

I wouldn't use 4HI unless I was on dirt. You wheels still have a chance of catching a solid surface in the rain, and that can be bad news.

As for max speed in 4HI? Don't know that there is one...

**Wrangler11** · 11-17-2006, 01:56 PM

I believe u can run 4hi in any speed and you have to be going lower than 55 to ingage it. If theres an inch of rain I'd be going a lot slower than normal.

VICTIM_OF_PAIN · 11-17-2006, 02:03 PM

There is an article out there about when and when not to use 4WD. I think standing water is ok to drive in 4Hi. From watching the news lately, I know you're not just talking about wet pavement, you guys have been getting hammered...

The thing I don't understand is that they say not to use it if there is no snow or standing water on the ground, when it does say part time when engaged. If it's part time, doesn't that mean that it's only used when needed?

**grogie** · 11-17-2006, 02:12 PM

Standing water on the road, no problem to use. Your tires can slip just fine.

Derik Schneider · 11-17-2006, 02:14 PM

I would say no!

the only reason you would want it on pavment is if theres several inches on rushing water & its wanting to slide your truck off course, and thats going to be in an emergancy sase.
In 1" standing water over pavment i find it rediculous, your for 1 your not really loosing much traction & 2 why would you want to go fast through water like that? its jsut causing a power washin condition under your hood, & theres just too much that can go wrong!

azcoyote · 11-17-2006, 02:41 PM

Going fast on water on top of pavement equals hydroplaning... Just drive slower.

Kameel · 11-17-2006, 02:49 PM

x2

your axles/TC will love you so much longer.

stjjames · 11-17-2006, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azcoyote

Going fast on water on top of pavement equals hydroplaning... Just drive slower.

X2

Im right here with you & I drive all over state, no problems. Ive only used 4hi on the ice.

newcaddy4j · 11-17-2006, 03:17 PM

My ex's friend flipped an explorer in the rain cause she had it in 4 wd. Bad idea... awd is great in the rain because it only kicks in if a tire starts to spin where as 4wd is always on, there for you're powering all wheels and if you're turning and one slips and then catches again you'll be in some trouble, or at least your tc will be.

**KUK9** · 11-17-2006, 04:39 PM

First, as others have said, in those conditions, just slow down. If you're in 4WD and hit regular pavement, your t-case is going to hate you. Plus, going too fast will just make you hydroplane, and that's not fun.

I'd say in 98% of all on-road driving conditions, there's absolutely no reason to use 4WD. Unless there is deep snow, a river running across the road, or snow pack on the roads (like what we have in the mountains), you likely don't need 4WD.

Nothing against you, as you have a legit question so please don't take offense to this, but I don't get why everyone seems to think that having 4 wheel drive in the end-all cure for driving if the roads aren't dry and it's 75 and sunny out. You'd be amazed at what a car can do without 4WD if you just slow down and drive smart.

Materdaddy · 11-17-2006, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aprez27

The thing I don't understand is that they say not to use it if there is no snow or standing water on the ground, when it does say part time when engaged. If it's part time, doesn't that mean that it's only used when needed?

Part time means YOU only use it part time... when it's engaged. In other words, it should not be used all the time. Full time 4wd is a system that is actually more like "all wheel drive" which, instead of locking the front/rear driveshafts together, they have a differential between them that can slip. HTH

VICTIM_OF_PAIN · 11-17-2006, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KUK9

Nothing against you, as you have a legit question so please don't take offense to this, but I don't get why everyone seems to think that having 4 wheel drive in the end-all cure for driving if the roads aren't dry and it's 75 and sunny out. You'd be amazed at what a car can do without 4WD if you just slow down and drive smart.

That's so true, when driving home from snowboarding up in Vermont, it's always a 4x4 that's off the road in a ditch. Usually someone who just passed us doing 80...

Myers97TJ · 11-17-2006, 10:45 PM

I wouldnt recomend, if it did catch it would be hell on your tcase. The front wheels are actually driven by a steel chain, and chains do stretch and ware. If it was ment to do that there would not be an option to disingage it.

11-17-2006, 02:14 PM	#7
Derik Schneider Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lawrence, KS Posts: 338 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I would say no! the only reason you would want it on pavment is if theres several inches on rushing water & its wanting to slide your truck off course, and thats going to be in an emergancy sase. In 1" standing water over pavment i find it rediculous, your for 1 your not really loosing much traction & 2 why would you want to go fast through water like that? its jsut causing a power washin condition under your hood, & theres just too much that can go wrong! __________________ 05' TJ Sport, 6" Long arm, 1.25" BL, with 35" MTR's,,,,& GROWING

11-17-2006, 02:41 PM	#8
azcoyote Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,702 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Going fast on water on top of pavement equals hydroplaning... Just drive slower. __________________ JEEPLESS... :(

11-17-2006, 02:49 PM	#9
Kameel Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: At home Posts: 148 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	x2 your axles/TC will love you so much longer. __________________ Instant human...just add coffee.

11-17-2006, 03:17 PM	#11
newcaddy4j Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: White Plains, NY Posts: 244 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	My ex's friend flipped an explorer in the rain cause she had it in 4 wd. Bad idea... awd is great in the rain because it only kicks in if a tire starts to spin where as 4wd is always on, there for you're powering all wheels and if you're turning and one slips and then catches again you'll be in some trouble, or at least your tc will be. __________________ Jeepless.... Keep it Real Ol' XJ and TJ "Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after."

11-17-2006, 10:45 PM	#15
Myers97TJ Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Long Beach Posts: 50 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I wouldnt recomend, if it did catch it would be hell on your tcase. The front wheels are actually driven by a steel chain, and chains do stretch and ware. If it was ment to do that there would not be an option to disingage it. __________________ [url]http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g139/Myers97TJ/azusa2.jpg[/url]