Using 4wd in the wet

[ferretmanabu]

I know I'm not supposed to use 4wd on tarmac roads but would I be able to use the H4 setting in the wet? Would it be any use?

[Slugsie]

No, on a 2nd gen 4wd must only be used on a loose surface, e.g. gravel, mud, grass. Dunno about snow though, should be ok if it's a thick covering, but don't quote me.

In the wet, just slow down, or get used to quickly applying opposite lock.

[sheeprus]

I know I'm not supposed to use 4wd on tarmac roads but would I be able to use the H4 setting in the wet? Would it be any use?

Unless your roads are very wet as in a lot of lying water and debris I would not use the H4 setting. once clear of the mucky stuff go back to H2
All that will happne is your fuel consumption will go down and risk locking up on roundabouts etc.

I'm sure if you search some of the threads on the site regarding 4wd you'll get all the answers you need (especially those relating to a lack of central diff)

[Gixxer]

Confused

I'm confused as to when I'm able to use 4WD as well, the manual (see attachment) says to use H4 for normal driving on wet, icey or snow covered roads but advice in the forum seems to be avoid using it on wet hard road surfaces.

[da SLUG man]

if you wanted to use 4wd on the road you should have bought a range rover...
why would you need it on a wet road?... the 90% of other 2wd cars seem to get by ok!?

[sheeprus]

if you wanted to use 4wd on the road you should have bought a range rover...
why would you need it on a wet road?... the 90% of other 2wd cars seem to get by ok!?

I have to confess that on the rare occasions I need to use it on a 'wet road' condition is becasue there is that much other **** that the truck snakes going up hill, I find the h4 keep the vehicle ina straight line. I have seen the 'locked' scenario in old landrovers as well as surfs so I stick to the ethos that my 4wd only comes into play during very muddy roads or getting in and out of my fields

[Gixxer]

if you wanted to use 4wd on the road you should have bought a range rover...
why would you need it on a wet road?... the 90% of other 2wd cars seem to get by ok!?

I'm not saying that I need it on wet roads, I'm saying that the manual says to use it on wet roads for better traction. The 90% of other 2wd cars are front wheel drive.

[marky]

Ive used it on WET TARMAC on realy steep hill starts as i was'nt getting any traction, I then moved back into 2wd when i was moving.

[Gixxer]

Ive used it on WET TARMAC on realy steep hill starts as i was'nt getting any traction, I then moved back into 2wd when i was moving.

Sounds like the sensible way to use it.

[kitesurf_phil]

I have used 4WD twice on the road. Once when there was a good covering of sheet ice. The other occasion was on a 1.5 mile stretch where a farmer had been backwards and forwards with his muck spreader. Very slippery stuff that!

[marky]

I have used 4WD twice on the road. Once when there was a good covering of sheet ice. The other occasion was on a 1.5 mile stretch where a farmer had been backwards and forwards with his muck spreader. Very slippery stuff that!

POOH!

[da SLUG man]

The 90% of other 2wd cars are front wheel drive.

yeah?

[JimSuperSix]

so can you use it on snow and ice? Around Consett it gets pretty cold and snowy in Jan/Feb and last year my little Civic couldn't even get up the slope out of the driveway (Surf was off the road while I rebuilt the head) - presumably in situations like this (compacted snow/ice on roads) using 4wd will not overly stress the drivetrain?

When I bought the truck it had BFG all terrain tyres all round, and checking the prices they seem to be very expensive and therefore I assume pretty good, so perhaps I won't need 4wd anyway?

Looking forward to it though - my first rear-wheel drive car in the snow I can see a few spins in a carpark coming on, in practice for when I get my Super Six running

[Morr]

Yep, no problem using it in snow or ice, just beware it does not give you a false sense of security in those circumstances, you can travel easier than a 2wd car, and it may not feel as slippery, but you can still skid/slid but a surf weighs a lot more, so if you do slid, you will probably slide further and harder.

[Deviant 1]

I was told to slip it in to 4wd around once a month in the wet driving in a straight line just so the linkage dont sieze up, then back again after about 100 yds. Atleast in this country you will be guaranteed the wet weathers atleast once a month !!