How to Switch Manual Four-Wheel Drive?
3 Answers
Off-road vehicles equipped with part-time four-wheel drive systems have the capability to switch between four-wheel drive and two-wheel drive modes. When accelerating in a straight line, engaging the 4H gear puts the vehicle in four-wheel drive mode, while switching back to the 2H gear during turns reverts it to two-wheel drive mode. More details are as follows: 1. On highways or well-paved roads, the two-wheel drive mode should be used to avoid potential vehicle damage and significantly increased fuel consumption. Four-wheel drive vehicles can switch between rear-wheel and front-wheel drive automatically. 2. Generally, when the rear wheels lose traction, the system can automatically switch to front-wheel drive, enhancing the vehicle's ability to escape difficult situations. Two-wheel drive vehicles have either the rear wheels (or front wheels) as the driving wheels, with the opposite wheels remaining passive. Four-wheel drive is typically available only in a limited number of high-end models, offering improved driving enjoyment and off-road performance.
I just finished driving a manual 4WD pickup truck on National Highway 318, and shifting involves four steps. Typically, there is a 2H/4H/4L lever next to the gear stick: use 2H for normal roads to save fuel and ensure flexible turning; when encountering gravel roads or climbing hills, reduce speed to under 30 km/h and directly shift into 4H, at which point the front wheels automatically engage. If the vehicle gets stuck, stop, shift to neutral, press the clutch, and then switch to 4L—torque will double. Two key things to remember: never use 4WD on dry asphalt roads, or the transfer case may fail; start slowly after shifting to 4L, or the transmission gears will clatter. During high-altitude drives, engage 4WD every 500 km to prevent parts from seizing due to rust.
With a decade of experience in repairing off-road vehicles, the key to manual four-wheel-drive conversion lies in the transfer case type. Mechanical ones are the most common, with the lever located on the right side of the seat: use 2H for paved roads, 4H for slippery or unpaved surfaces—switch below 40 km/h and avoid sharp turns; engaging 4L requires a complete stop, first shift to neutral before switching to low-range four-wheel drive. The electronic knob version is found below the steering wheel on the left—ensure the vehicle is stationary when switching. A common issue with older vehicles is incomplete engagement, indicated by a humming drive shaft, necessitating a garage adjustment. Using 4H in rainy conditions prevents skidding, but remember to switch back to 2H when returning to the city, otherwise fuel consumption increases by 2 liters per 100 kilometers.
