Using 4 wheel drive??

Hey is it bad to use 4 wheel drive on a plain surface?? Like say ur driving in snow then u drive thru a part where the snow is melted? would it mess up? if it is bad then y? and whats the fastest you can go on 4 wheel drive hi and low. If its different on vehicles mine is a 2002 Ford explorer sport? THanks!|||ALBERT S heres the score if you have an all time 4 wheel drive like say a land rover or an evo then its not bad of course but from what it sounds you have a truck/suv with selectable 4 wheel drive if this is the case then you do not want to be driving in 4 wheel drive on the road and you definately do not want to be taking turns while on dry road with four wheel drive on it is bad because if you take turns in four wheel drive you will most likely break something like the driveshaft is most common NOW LISTEN UP if you ever do take a turn while in four wheel drive and your vehicle feels like it wants to stop or other wise if it starts bucking (like the vehicle wants to go but something is holding it back) then stop IMMEDIATELY put it in reverse and back up about 50 feet to be safe, after you back up then put it in drive again if its still bucking then put it in reverse and go back even further than 50 feet if you dont do this you will snap your driveshaft.


I had this happen to me twice what happens is your driveshaft actually starts twisting like a rubberband and backing up simply kinda unwinds your driveshaft for lack of a better term both time this happened to me i just reversed it and then went on my way if i hadnt done that i would have broken something most likely my driveshaft the fastest you wanna go in 4 wheel high is i would say no more than 40 mph and only use 4 wheel low when you actually need or it is safe to use 4 wheel drive and you are towing something heavy it might be different on yours mine is a 02 silverado look in your owners manual for more detailed info on your certain vehicle|||"Your driveshaft actually starts twisting like a rubberband and backing up simply kinda unwinds your driveshaft".





Are you serious? That is one of the stupidest things that I have ever read. Your driveshaft is a hollow Steel or Aluminum tube. Once it is twisted, it is time for a new shaft.

Report Abuse

|||It really does not matter. You could leave 4 wheel drive on all the time if you really wanted, but the reason you shouldnt is that it takes a bit more gas. There is also no real limit on speed in 4 wheel drive, feel free to drive on the interstate with 4wd in the snow, rain, or anytime you feel its needed. However i would recommend only using it when needed. and remember, 4low is for snow, ice, and whatnot, and 4high is only really needed in real bad weather or when you are stuck.|||If there are a sporadic dry patches it shouldn't be a problem. You need to avoid turning on dry pavement in 4wd. It will cause the drivetrain to bind and may break something.





Typically, try to stay under 55mph in 4HI and under 30mph in 4LO. Your owners manual should have more specific information for your exact vehicle.