4H / 4A / 2H

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Meeker

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Can I ask how you inferred the number 50% ? Is there some indicator or digital display that tells that ? I may have missed tha
I assume that equal length "bars" in the power distribution display implies 50%. The front bar looks slightly shorter to me. But, they also have some kind of "perspective" there like you're looking from behind the vehicle so I could be wrong if the perspective results in shorter bars in the top half? Or even a bit of an optical illusion because they are narrower?

Definitely no tick marks or anything there that would make it clear...
 

Calidad

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Good info. Yeah, Tahoe side roads are the most tricky. Those roads are not cleared / salted well. The main roads (non highway) are somewhat better; but still tricky. I was there just this past weekend when there was a snow storm. Even after several hours of snow, the South Lake Tahoe blvd was not cleared / salted well. I was scared driving next to toyota camry's zipping along at 45 miles an hour - i am sure they were 2WD

My tires also just have 3k miles on them ; with the vehicle being brand new and bought just a few months back. I am hesitant to buy new tires just cause in my mind it feels like wasting money; altho money is not an issue. But your description of "massively totally different vehicle" is making me think.



Do you do any change in setting while driving in rain in bay area ?

My original tires at about 15,000 miles were so bad on wet pavement I started putting it in 4A. I don’t drive aggressively typically get above average mileage out of my tire life. New tires 2wh in rain zero issues No sliding, no hydroplaning etc.

Wasn’t even possible to get around South Lake without 4h mode on the original tires. I felt the same way didn’t want to get new tires but really had no choice. After getting the BFG Trail Terrain tire it was such a huge change I was really happy I did it. Safety factor of having tires that grip well on wet highway and cruddy Tahoe streets was soooo worth it.

Haven’t switched from 2whl other than at chain control and drove around south lake in cruddy road conditions in 2wh with zero issues. Even backed over the plow berm at the house into the driveway in 2wh which was hard to believe given the old tires even 4H I could hardly get into the driveway.

Really hard to explain how massively different the tires made the vehicle drive and perform in bad conditions.

Mileage impact of the tires was very little we did 23mpg SF to LA las spring on the new tires. Old tires have gotten closer to 24mpg on prior trips. So pretty marginal impact on mileage which is good given many A/T tires hit the mileage pretty hard. These haven’t had that effect.
 
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Calidad

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Side note
CA doesn’t salt roads. We have used sand and crushed cinder ie lava rock for decades. Salt kills our trees, and contaminates our water sheds
 

sjwhiteley

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Although I appreciate the information in this thread. You guys really overthinking it. Just put it in 4A and use the appropriate mode for the conditions and send it.
While this is valid for most people, and what those here would most often do, knowing what it’s doing is important to a lot of people. It helps understand the limitations, and any conditions that might be inappropriate. There’s no ‘get out of jail free’ driving mode on any vehicle.
 

rd618

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While this is valid for most people, and what those here would most often do, knowing what it’s doing is important to a lot of people. It helps understand the limitations, and any conditions that might be inappropriate. There’s no ‘get out of jail free’ driving mode on any vehicle.
I agree 100%.
I love talking to people about various 4wd and AWD systems. The best part most people overlook is physics.
The best system in the world is crap in the hands of someone who doesn’t know what to do with it.
From ice to rock crawling, the applications require learning and training.
I think ford giving the drive modes is smart, as 90% of people don’t care about the physics or the mechanics, just want to make their mall cruiser not slide off the road in slippery conditions.
 

zak99b5

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Question—there’s two different transfer cases. One that has 2nd and 4A only, and one with those plus 4H and 4L. Accurate?

Are they otherwise the same? Are 4H and L engaged they same was as 4A, or is there a difference?
 

Dworth

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I agree 100%.
I love talking to people about various 4wd and AWD systems. The best part most people overlook is physics.
The best system in the world is crap in the hands of someone who doesn’t know what to do with it.
From ice to rock crawling, the applications require learning and training.
I think ford giving the drive modes is smart, as 90% of people don’t care about the physics or the mechanics, just want to make their mall cruiser not slide off the road in slippery conditions.
As previously mentioned in this thread, at the end of the day it comes down to appropriate tires for the conditions. 4WD systems and drive modes can assist but if your tires are not appropriate for the conditions, you are out of luck.
 

LokiWolf

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Question—there’s two different transfer cases. One that has 2nd and 4A only, and one with those plus 4H and 4L. Accurate?

Are they otherwise the same? Are 4H and L engaged they same was as 4A, or is there a difference?
Correct. Very similar. The 4L equipped one adds an electric actuator, and the Low gear set. Otherwise, they are the same. Housing is the same, except for the plate that is removed for said electric actuator.
 

Wangle

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Good info. Yeah, Tahoe side roads are the most tricky. Those roads are not cleared / salted well. The main roads (non highway) are somewhat better; but still tricky. I was there just this past weekend when there was a snow storm. Even after several hours of snow, the South Lake Tahoe blvd was not cleared / salted well. I was scared driving next to toyota camry's zipping along at 45 miles an hour - i am sure they were 2WD

My tires also just have 3k miles on them ; with the vehicle being brand new and bought just a few months back. I am hesitant to buy new tires just cause in my mind it feels like wasting money; altho money is not an issue. But your description of "massively totally different vehicle" is making me think.



Do you do any change in setting while driving in rain in bay area ?
LokiWolf has this down, so just echoing that if there is only a 4A selection, it is in 4H if one of the modes is selected, Sand, Grass Gravel Snow, or Mud/Ruts.
I bought my 2018 new in January 2019. It has the Toyo tires, which I saw nothing but complaints with them. I have found them to be very good in all conditions, including deep snow, moderate off-road in mud, and heavy rain. The only thing is that they are very noisy noisy noisy. But not enough that I can justify replacing. I was kind of hoping they would wear out quickly, but at 24,000 miles all four are evenly worn and measure 8/32, even though the wear rating is “300“. Looks like I will have them a while. Lol
 
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