Practical switching between 2H and 4H?

[mikeofthenorth]

I'm in Minnesota and especially in the days following a snow storm the road conditions can vary quite a bit. Side roads and stoplights snow covered and very slippery where I need 4h, but as soon as I complete the turn onto a larger road that got plowed and treated it'll be dry pavement and I need to be in 2H. (2024 OBX Luxe that doesn't have 4A)

I've been running in slippery at 4H, and then once on dry pavement I let off the gas, make sure I'm going straight, and flip from 4H to 2H while coasting usually trying to keep it 35mph or under. I haven't noticed any weird vibrations or anything in doing so but wanted to ask, is this an ok thing to do or is this risky? Is there a better way to handle this which doesn't involve pulling over and stopping to switch drive modes? (which frankly isn't going to happen it's too frequent) Am I being overcautious and perhaps I should be switching modes more liberally to make sure I'm matching road conditions? From reading threads I think I understand the general risk in running the wrong mode at the wrong time but I'm not clear on how careful I need to be in switching on the fly to make sure I'm in the right mode.

Thanks!

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[Brian_B]

I think your fine - I have done nearly the same thing for years across a lot of various vehicles.

A lot of folks will think your Bronco will spontaneously explode because of 4H on pavement though.

 

[Ducati1098]

A lot of folks will think your Bronco will spontaneously explode because of 4H on pavement though.

This ^
As long as you aren’t making somewhat tight turns in 4H on dry pavement, you’ll be perfectly fine.

And if you are, you’ll know, because you’ll feel it binding.

 

[GI_Jo_Nathan]

What they said.
And honestly you are probably being more cautious than you need to be as far as shifting.
Just make sure you are going mostly straight and steady and hit the button. The system will delay the shift if there are any problems with shifting at that time.

 

[dgorsett]

All good, at any speed going straight and not spinning. I, like you, usually back out of throttle to be sure there's no spin.

 

[Big Norwegian]

I agree with what they're saying. I plow snow and my truck goes in and out of four wheels drive more in on night than most will all winter. Granted it's not a Bronco but you get the idea, keep doing what you are doing.

 

[Techun]

It's fine.

But if you're switching so much, ask yourself if you actually need to go into 4wd in the first place...

 

[23OBX2.7]

OP I have similar conditions. I do same as you, maintain even throttle straight front wheels and it's fine. While I do have AT on my '23, I use 4H when it's messy and I've not seen any speed restrictions mentioned anywhere though it will cause severe under steer in corners, like 50/50 Subarus.

 

[mikeofthenorth]

Thanks everyone for the comments this is very helpful and reassuring!

 

[SHANUT]

I'm in Minnesota and especially in the days following a snow storm the road conditions can vary quite a bit. Side roads and stoplights snow covered and very slippery where I need 4h, but as soon as I complete the turn onto a larger road that got plowed and treated it'll be dry pavement and I need to be in 2H. (2024 OBX Luxe that doesn't have 4A)

I've been running in slippery at 4H, and then once on dry pavement I let off the gas, make sure I'm going straight, and flip from 4H to 2H while coasting usually trying to keep it 35mph or under. I haven't noticed any weird vibrations or anything in doing so but wanted to ask, is this an ok thing to do or is this risky? Is there a better way to handle this which doesn't involve pulling over and stopping to switch drive modes? (which frankly isn't going to happen it's too frequent) Am I being overcautious and perhaps I should be switching modes more liberally to make sure I'm matching road conditions? From reading threads I think I understand the general risk in running the wrong mode at the wrong time but I'm not clear on how careful I need to be in switching on the fly to make sure I'm in the right mode.

Thanks!

Wheels straight and foot off the gas at any speed in the way to go.

 

[DALOLA]

Discussions like this further illustrate the value of the 4A option. I would not have an on-road 4x4 without 4A, especially if you live in a northern climate.

 

[idontknow]

I’m in Minnesota as well. 4a hasn’t failed me yet this year. Only needed 4h for normal road driving a couple of times since I bought it. Running oem Sasquatch tires. Echoing what others have said no issues with how you were switching it and I’ve definitly switched into 4h going after than 35 without issue.

 

[Smocaine]

It's a shift-on-the-fly case, it can handle it no problem. The only Ford recommendation on the issue is to do it below 55mph and not run 4H above that speed.

 

[WarthogJr]

…or you could move to Arizona. I have never experienced a conundrum like this since I moved here from Idaho.

 

[Smocaine]

I'm not aware of Ford specifying not to use 4H above 55 mph on a Bronco. Is that documented somewhere?

You're right, I think I got that from the dissimilar wheel speeds for 4WD.
Could have sworn I saw a 55mph recommendation for 4WD shifts in the HTML manual but can't find it in the PDF.
In any case, it's designed to be shifted at speed, and you won't hurt it going in and out of 4H while driving.

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