Using 4A when raining?

[murphtron]

I run 34 cold and they suck. They suck a lot worse at 39.

I’ve run KO2s on two vehicles in winter rain and snow. Seem to work fine for me. What test can I do to demonstrate their suckiness? They also work well in the snow. Maybe I’m just a cautious driver? There’s also always a lot of traffic where I live. And people driving too fast. Heh.

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[helifino16]

There's a huge difference between 4A and 4H/4L. 4A is two wheel drive (rear) almost all the time (much like AWD vehicles operate) and only activates 4WD when the system detects slippage. In other words, YOU are not in charge of when 4WD is engaged.

4H and 4L are ALL WHEELS ENGAGED and should only be used when it is needed. Driving in these modes even on wet roads can cause damage to your vehicle. Better to wait until you are facing an obstacle - a muddy uphill, a snowy descent, etc. to engage one of these to overcome the obstacle, then return to 4A or 2H for regular driving.

On some vehicles you also have locking differentials and Anti-sway bar linkage to further enhance your ability to overcome obstacles (like rock crawling, getting out of ruts, etc.).

 

[Rydfree]

I’ve run KO2s on two vehicles in winter rain and snow. Seem to work fine for me. What test can I do to demonstrate their suckiness?

Drive a 2dr Bronco with 2.7.

 

[Brian_B]

I don’t have 4A; but I also have no qualms about using 4H in heavy rain or snow. Done that for every 4WD I’ve owned, I get sick of wondering if I’m gonna fishtail every curve driving in the mountains and having to baby coming off every stop sign.

Now I’m not saying “oh crap a rain drop hit and the pavement is barely wet flip on 4WD” - I mean it’s raining hard enough for it to start stream down the road. For people east of the Rockies that’s a normal weekly thing, Out here it’s reserved for only a handful of times in the Winter and people freak out and the roads and drainage aren’t all built for it. Like when people in the South get a bit of snow to stick.

Some people are “save it until you need it” but I’m of the camp “I’d rather stay out of the ditch all together in the first place”. Wet pavement isn’t the same animal as dry pavement.

 

[swooshdave]

4A in the rain? Only if it's raining so hard that the animals are starting to line up in pairs.

 

[heavyD]

I'm surprised so many default to 2WD when 4A is basically 2WD until the moment you need the front wheels to intervene.

 

[WhiskeyCity]

I use 4A in rainy conditions. Traction is sometimes an issue on wet roads and 4A really helps.

Cheers.

 

[Lifeliberty]

I only use 4a when needed(snow or fun ) it kicks on with slippery mode and fast mode(whatever is called).
Will affect steering and gas mileage. I've never needed anything other than 2wd in rain, bronco always feels planted. But that can depend on driver, ok, it does depend on driver. You can use it if it makes you feel safe

 

[OCNORB1974]

The “idiots” are those at higher speeds in heavy rain.

 

[CarmeloS]

I use it in rain, snow and offroad, that's about it

 

[timhood]

I was driving my 2 door 4 cyl last week. From a stop, turned at a stop light. Did not hit the gas hard at all. It was raining and my rear wheels spun and started to fishtail. Seems it should have better traction.

That is the exact scenario where engine power can easily overcome traction in RWD. If the roads are at all oily, it only exacerbates the situation. You're delivering a lot of power to one wheel in that scenario. I'll bet you felt the traction control system step in to bring you back in line.

 

[timhood]

The “idiots” are those at higher speeds in heavy rain.

You know what they say:

Idiots are everyone driving faster than you and morons are everyone driving slower than you!

 

[box986]

Why does it automatically switch from 2WD to 4A when I put truck in "sport" mode. I have to do an extra step to switch it back to 2WD each time. I hope FORscan will have this option to keep truck in 2WD when switching to "Sport"?

 

[timhood]

Why does it automatically switch from 2WD to 4A when I put truck in "sport" mode. I have to do an extra step to switch it back to 2WD each time. I hope FORscan will have this option to keep truck in 2WD when switching to "Sport"?

The programming for Sport mode assumes you want maximum sportiness, which includes the best traction for quick launches. FORscan won't ever be able to change that. It can only enable or disable GOAT modes, not alter how they work.

 

[adam1991]

Will affect steering and gas mileage.

how does 4A affect those things?

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