How to switch the four-wheel drive of the Prado?
2 Answers
To switch the four-wheel drive of the Prado, you can operate the transfer case using a lever or an electronic control button to switch between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. However, the driver must get out of the vehicle and lock the differential on the non-driven wheels before the four-wheel drive function can be activated. Below are the specific steps for switching to four-wheel drive: 1. Switching to four-wheel drive: Simply move the small lever to adjust to low-range four-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. In urban areas, two-wheel drive should be used. 2. Full-time four-wheel drive: This refers to a mode where the vehicle maintains four-wheel drive throughout the entire driving process. 3. Performance of full-time four-wheel drive: This driving mode offers better off-road and handling performance but consumes more fuel and has poorer fuel economy. 4. Part-time four-wheel drive: The driver can choose between two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive mode by engaging or disengaging the transfer case. 5. Advantages of part-time four-wheel drive: This is the most common driving mode in SUV models. Its advantages include ensuring both the vehicle's power and off-road capability while also considering fuel economy.
When driving the Prado, I often switch to four-wheel drive on off-road terrain, and it feels like controlling a powerful companion. The Prado's four-wheel drive switching mainly relies on the knob on the center console. The standard mode is H2 (rear-wheel drive), suitable for daily city and highway driving; switching to H4 (high-range four-wheel drive) is for slippery or muddy roads, with speed not exceeding 80 km/h; L4 (low-range four-wheel drive) is for extreme climbing or deep pits, requiring the vehicle to be stopped and shifted to neutral before turning the knob. The operation is simple: first ensure the vehicle is stable, then reach out from the driver's seat to turn the knob to the target position. I usually prefer using H4 for off-roading, as it offers flexible acceleration and stability, and prevents wheel slippage on sandy terrain. But don't forget to regularly check the system—if the knob gets stuck, it might be due to insufficient lubrication or electrical issues, and timely maintenance can prevent failures.
