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NEED HELP WITH 4WD QUESTION


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irvy76
Novice

Nov 10, 2019, 4:57 PM

Post #1 of 10 (1536 views)
NEED HELP WITH 4WD QUESTION Sign In

I am finally moving on from my 2002 F250. I am looking at Expedition's,Tahoe's and Yukon's I have noticed that the 4x4 knob no longer has low range it only has 2 high,auto and 4 high. I don't off road but I live in Massachusetts and when I have to work during blizzards I usually need low range 4wd to get out of my parking area due to plowed snow. Has low range 4wd been eliminated or with today's technology can the vehicle tell when you need low range? This is very important to me because at 8am after working a 12 or 16 hour shift after a blizzard I don't want to shovel out just to go home and I would like a suv over a pick up truck but if I can only get low range in a pick up then I guess
I have to get a pick up. Thank you for your help.


(This post was edited by irvy76 on Nov 10, 2019, 5:12 PM)


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Nov 10, 2019, 5:00 PM

Post #2 of 10 (1532 views)
Re: NEED HELP WITH 4WD QUESTION Sign In

I moved your question to the transmission category. Our transmission expert Gary should be able to answer that.



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irvy76
Novice

Nov 10, 2019, 5:05 PM

Post #3 of 10 (1521 views)
Re: NEED HELP WITH 4WD QUESTION Sign In

Thank you glad I posted here!


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Nov 10, 2019, 8:29 PM

Post #4 of 10 (1381 views)
Re: NEED HELP WITH 4WD QUESTION Sign In

irvy: Seem like a feature question for just type of vehicle to get out of a parking space to go home?
Sport, I live (lifer here) in MA know the scoop and plow snow. I never use "LOW" plowing isn't off -roading nor if you needed that much torque would it help. You'd just tear the heck out of things going over a crusty mountain of solid ice snow banks ruin things - plow or shovel that just to go. Lower gear when slipping doesn't/can't help better than traction you have tire to surface - ever.


Been at this since dinosaurs were here if it's that bad you get out and shovel yourself out to get going having 4X4 at all is then a total waste. It's nasty costly driveline parts you shouldn't need at all IMO unless sport use off-road mostly or said "plowing" snow you don't except when surprised really and do really need all four to move/push at all.
Understood you work a long night want to just leave rather than shovel but that's only a couple times all Winter to alter a year round vehicle's driveline for not needed even here.
Sorry - I don't get it I have to shovel out my own truck with plow on it waiting to even get started to go so what's your issue?
Tom



irvy76
Novice

Nov 10, 2019, 8:58 PM

Post #5 of 10 (1375 views)
Re: NEED HELP WITH 4WD QUESTION Sign In

 


(This post was edited by irvy76 on Nov 10, 2019, 9:08 PM)


irvy76
Novice

Nov 10, 2019, 9:06 PM

Post #6 of 10 (1375 views)
Re: NEED HELP WITH 4WD QUESTION Sign In

I don't plow...never have what I mean is when I get out of work after a nor-easter with a foot or more of the heavy wet snow in front of my truck in my present truck have had trouble getting out of my parking spot in 4 high because I'm completely plowed in but when I put it in 4 low it drives right out like the snow isn't even there. I put it back in 4 high when I clear the deep stuff. I just like having that option even if it's once or twice a year.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Nov 10, 2019, 9:48 PM

Post #7 of 10 (1365 views)
Re: NEED HELP WITH 4WD QUESTION Sign In

I hear you just LOW isn't helping you rather your tires are parked on clear surface to move at first. LOW is for pulling stumps out with chains it can't make slippery not slippery under the thing.
If you just bully thru snow to get out the 2002 might take it. Newer the worse it's all plastic junk you'll bust it all up.
The plow game. I go out, clear off truck it's jammed with snow between plow already on and grille. It's not going anywhere yet. MetroWest 2014-2015 we had 21 FEET of snow was insane. 3 FOUR footers in a row a bit much for sense of humor. Went out once whole truck, plow and all just a lump out there! More coffee please!
I can't know your exact scene, parking spot or choices of where MA can be a nightmare for that. Burbs where I am 15 parking spaces to clear can't do with vehicles in the way - duh. I have to plow or would otherwise pay someone all day for those days isn't possible.
My point is 4X4 for snow/ice just gets you out. Lower gears don't get better traction you just spin and make a hole under each wheel the same as a higher gear.


Arggh? Chains were the answer once for everything no 4X4 problems year round. Take them off quickly later when out of like a horrible driveway or something.
Again understood when the public area you are getting out and into is plowed that is in front of you many times/situations can't do magic about it.
Rock and a hard place driving over that ruins vehicles, tears off exhaust, wires and the plastic junk now worse than ever it's all over the sides of the roads like a bad joke.
Sorry - I guess my point is you are costing yourself THOUSAND$ of wasted bucks just to do that 10 FEET drive when a shovel would do. If the drive is all that bad you shouldn't be out in it is why roads suk lots longer can't clear out with the traffic on them or stuck vehicles.


That's almost always just lousy tires or expecting too much out of now lower vehicles belly rubbing underside isn't helping anyone.


Other with pick-ups. Think hard about the snow in the bed if not for a cover you shovel that out or a block of ice bangs around if not cleared out.


It's a pita we deal with, complain about by stay here anyway it doesn't last.


Think about the cost for just parking vs the entire rest of use year round and the costs you may not see could figure out an alternative for just those few times.
Good luck with your choice same suggestions on this and comment is don't expect some button on the dash to fix the scene right in front of you,


Tom



irvy76
Novice

Nov 10, 2019, 10:27 PM

Post #8 of 10 (1357 views)
Re: NEED HELP WITH 4WD QUESTION Sign In

If you haven't figured it out yet I know nothing about cars haha. All I know is I've always kept BFG all Terrains on my trucks and replace them when they show any wear and even with those tires I have had trouble getting out of my parking space in 4 high but in 4 low get out like nothing is there so the other stuff you're talking about makes no sense to me. bottom line is when I'm plowed in at work I like having low range to get out.


(This post was edited by irvy76 on Nov 10, 2019, 10:29 PM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Nov 10, 2019, 11:36 PM

Post #9 of 10 (1344 views)
Re: NEED HELP WITH 4WD QUESTION Sign In

OK: The game with the 4X4 and AWD, "All Terrain" just amuses me being an old phart none of that existed just we HAD REAL MEAN SNOW tires and chains for a real disaster went anywhere with 2WD.

Now it sells for a distraction or something it's fooling people they can change "TRACTION" that isn't there? Momentum is/was the tool and actually knowing WTF you are doing - there's a lack of that for decades thinking let the vehicles just figure it out.

Pet peeve with me watching this scene particularly snow/ice. I have the mean tires (all four) going down a road to a family home to do that one get passed by some BMW thing with some fool magic thinking I'm just a slow poke and end up pulling out of a ditch after it flew by me like idiots.

So the fact remains you can't just push a button for traction going or to stop. That and powered wheels driving along are not your friend if slippery/icy are the ones that make you lose control now all 4 not controlling just two. I don't get it.


It's not just New England this is anywhere it's is worse right in MA because of many vehicles, lousy roads, the snow ice is heavy then freezes more right here than North or South with the same. Refreeze what melted over roads salt and sand that all over again for a few days.


Just chat: I have long time family in serious Winters NH and Maine! They don't fuss like this it also stays colder so snow is dusty and less of a problem.


THEY DON'T DO THE 4X4 GAME and do fine been freaking ages get REAL tires. All four if wanted or needed.
This bull about getting better MPG is just that bull! You need to warm up vehicle to go anywhere to clear it off and see so there go MPG.
If and it does gets that bad you/we simply change all plans for a day or two not add to the clean up by clogging up roads, parking lots can't be cleared while full of cars - duh.
To finish the worst thing I see and notice have driven many too is cars/trucks even are way too low with plastic junk to wreck or if trying to drive deeper snow the belly is holding wheels off the road - THERE'S NO BUTTON FOR THAT!
Relax though, there's a Dunkin' Donuts (DD's) in sight 24hrs so you'll be fine - laugh,
Tom



(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Nov 14, 2019, 3:57 AM)


gsferraro
Veteran

Nov 12, 2019, 6:01 PM

Post #10 of 10 (1300 views)
Re: NEED HELP WITH 4WD QUESTION Sign In

Hello,
That actually is a very good question, im honestly not sure why they eliminate the low range, maybe because they want to make these systems more automatic so 4x4 would only get used when needed, but i'm going to find out more info, from someone I know that only deals with transfer cases. Gary






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