Is High-Speed Four-Wheel Drive 4H or 4L?
2 Answers
High-speed four-wheel drive is 4H. Below are the specific introductions to the four-wheel drive system modes: 1. H4F Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive. H4F is the default four-wheel drive mode for the Prado, used during everyday city driving. 2. H4L High-Speed Four-Wheel Drive. In high-speed four-wheel drive mode, both the front and rear differentials are locked, causing all four wheels to rotate at the same speed. This prevents situations where a lifted wheel spins rapidly while a stuck wheel does not move. When in H4L mode, it is best not to exceed a speed of 80km/h. 3. L4L Low-Speed Four-Wheel Drive. Low-speed four-wheel drive is generally used in slippery conditions such as mud or swamps. It reduces speed through a gear mechanism to increase torque. The Prado's low-speed four-wheel drive can amplify the torque from high-speed four-wheel drive by 2.6 times, giving the wheels greater power to escape difficult situations, albeit at a slower speed.
Recently, someone asked whether high-speed four-wheel drive is 4H or 4L. As an experienced off-road driver, I've encountered this situation many times. 4H is indeed high-speed four-wheel drive, used on regular roads or smooth surfaces where you can reach higher speeds, but the torque isn't very strong. 4L is low-speed four-wheel drive, activated only on steep slopes or muddy terrain. It provides enough torque to pull the vehicle out, but the speed is limited to very low levels, which can easily damage the transmission. When I drove a Jeep, I tried using 4H on the highway at 100 mph, and it was quite stable, but as soon as I entered the mountains, I had to switch to 4L for climbing. Beginners often confuse these two modes, so I recommend checking the vehicle manual or consulting a professional to avoid malfunctions due to misuse. Regular maintenance should also include frequent checks of the four-wheel-drive system to ensure the chain is well lubricated.
