I drive a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. It has 2wd, 4hi, and 4lo. I have heard from some old timers that if I drive in 4hi at highway speeds it will damage the vehicle. The manual does not say anything about not driving highway speeds in 4hi. I only drive in 4 hi when there is lots of snow on the road (I…

If it’s a true 4X4 with just a transfer case, it’s not a good idea nor safe to operate it in 4 wheel drive on dry pavement. The reason is there’s no center differential between the front and rear differentails. Just the transfer case. And the transfer case doesn’t allow the front and rear differenti…

I understand why dry pavement and 4 wheel drive don’t work well together. I am trying to figure out if speed will cause any damage.

Why risk the damage to the transfer case? And why would you need 4 wheel drive on dry pavement? Tester

I don’t believe 50-70 mph will do any harm if there is snow on the road. If the road is just wet, then as far as the transfer case is concerned it is the same as driving on dry pavement. So, if there is snow on the surface of an interstate highway perhaps 70 mph isn’t a good idea. I have a 4X4 ('…

I only drive in 4 wheel drive when there is snow/ice on the road, much like what Dektol and Uncle Turbo were describing, and I am usually in and out of 4hi depending on the road conditions. The fastest I have ever gone in 4hi is probably around 60 mph on a snow covered road.

As long as you’re driving in snow or other slippery conditions, it probably won’t hurt. Dry pavement could damage it, especially cornering at anything but very slow speeds on dry surfaces. But is there a reason you’d want to go 70 in the snow??

+1 I don’t think it hurts driving in 4x4 mode at highway speeds with snow on it but it may hurt you. Sure, you can go but stopping is a different story. No four wheel drive on the planet will help you with that. Just slow down.

“But is there a reason you’d want to go 70 in the snow??” That’s 20 MPH slower than 90 on dry pavement.

You should NEVER drive a vehicle in part time 4wd at highway speeds, whether it’s dry pavement or slippery conditions. The transfer case with no center differential is locked on these vehicles which makes them totally unforgiving going around any curve as the front and rear drive wheel on each axle …

4 wheel drive at highway speeds

Maintenance/Repairs

Dektol October 29, 2012, 8:54am 5

I drove my 97 jeep grand in 4 wheel hi at reduced speeds around 50 mph a good bit in snow and heavy rain and that was on the same road you drove on, I70 between St Louis and Boulder Co. It had over 240,000 miles on it when I sold it. Transfer case or diffs were on good shape. I was careful to shift out of 4hi as soon as I got out of snow or heavy rain. I have new Wrangler now and will do it the same way.

Topic		Replies	Views
When to and when not to use 4 wheel drive high General Discussion	14	66461	January 9, 2009
4x4 Safety Maintenance/Repairs	11	1180	December 22, 2008
4wd, 05 Z71 Suburban. Could transfer case have been damaged at excessive speeds on dry hwy in 4hi? Maintenance/Repairs	13	2743	January 9, 2015
Part time 4x4 on interstate Maintenance/Repairs	20	7523	January 30, 2008
Engaging 4WD in older Chevy Pickup Maintenance/Repairs chevrolet , 1500	17	74276	November 28, 2020

4 wheel drive at highway speeds

Related topics