Big snow coming - 4HI or 4LO?

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 08, 2005 10:46 pm

Ok, as a 4wd newbie which do I want to use on the road in the snow, 4HI or 4LO with my auto tranny?

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu Dec 08, 2005 11:24 pm

4hi. You can only do around 15mph with 4low. If its that bad to where you need to go that slow. Low is fine as long as you stay on snow. If you have full time and the road is patchy with snow, its the best. Otherwise use 4hi.

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

4HI - you can use it up to around 50 mph and it is easy to switch in and out of for patchy conditions.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu Dec 08, 2005 11:39 pm

im pretty sure you can use it at any speeds but you cant shift it over 45 or something like that. If you need part time in the snow you souldnt be going that fast anyways.

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 12:11 am

In the manual for my old blazer, it said not go exceed 55, that was a 231 case so i am assuming its probably a idea to not exceed 55 with the 231 case. Since the 242 is nearly identical-probably a good idea to keep it below 55 with that too in full or part time. Why would you want to go faster then 55 in snow? Use the 4lo if you are in DEEP snow. Like 2 feet of snow. At that point you become a snow plow, take it slow as objects will be hidden in the snow (just asked the electrical fence i need to fix tomorrow, sorry James)

Guest · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 12:28 am

I wouldn't use 4 low unless i was actually WHEELIN in the snow. I've never been in any situation where i needed 4 low while commuting in the snow...

if the snow's so deep you "need" to use 4 low, you probably shouldn't be going through it, anyway.

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 12:30 am

what about ice fishing? gotta get to the shack somehow-or use the Jeep as a shack (heats makes it 10,000 times better then my ice shack). Some of the snow on lake vermillion gets rather deep rather fast.

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 12:38 am

Ok, thanks guys. Snow should be here at it's worst while I gotta get to the airport. Unfortunately, I'm considered "essential personnel" (go figure), so I gotta get there.

What I'm hearing is since my street doesn't get plowed at all and it's a straight shot to the main road, I could possibly use 4LO IF the snow is real deep and no pavement. After that 4HI to about 40-50 mph. Right?

Guest · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 12:40 am

My point was just that if your rig won't get traction in 4hi on snow, it CERTAINLY won't get traction in 4LO. traction is traction, and anything times 0 is still 0. you can't get the extra power to the ground if you're just spinning.

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 12:43 am

So, skip the LO altogether. Thanks! :wink:

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 12:46 am

what transfer case do you have? Dont use part time on dry black top. If its wet with no snow that may be ok, but not for long. As long as you have something to let the wheels slide you are ok. Use full time if the snow isnt all over the road if you have it.

listen to this. It tells you everything you need to know.

http://www.jeep.com/liberty/4wd_capability.html

Click on command trac under the picture in orange.

LimitedLurker · **Joined:** Fri Jul 08, 2005 7:18 pm **Posts:** 114

Read the owners manual on the speeds for the various 4wd options. I doubt they've changed but there is always a chance, I'm good to 29mph in 4Lo. 50mph is the limit for switching into/out of 4High but can go faster. I'll trust you to make the decision if this is safe or not.

4Lo certainly makes sense in snow. The gearing makes it easier to start in slick conditions. The gearing also provides engine breaking which can help slow you down with out having to hit the breaks. 4Lo also helps in drifts on less traveled roads. Just watch the speed, nothing special about the 29mph except I believe that is where you red line in 4Lo.

Try it out, what ever makes you feel safest and keeps you moving is what is best.

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 1:40 am

Quote:

what transfer case do you have?

Hate to say this but I really don't know. :oops:

2003 Rennie - as I said, my first 4wd coming off sports cars.
I keep hearing "part time, full time", etc. All I know is I have a lever that says 4HI and 4LO.

jeepers · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 8:55 am

Cacher123 wrote:

Quote:

what transfer case do you have?

Hate to say this but I really don't know. :oops:

2003 Rennie - as I said, my first 4wd coming off sports cars.
I keep hearing "part time, full time", etc. All I know is I have a lever that says 4HI and 4LO.

then you more then likly have a comand-trac 4wd. it you had a selct-trac it would say this in this order 2wd-4part time-4fulltime_N-4lo. full time splits the power 25% in the front and 75% rear and in part time its 50-50 front to rear. in part time the front and rear wheels spin at the same speed.

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

4-lo is the same as part-time with really low gearing. So if you where in 4-hi and it feels like you need lower gears (lower than the current 1st gear), then it is time for 4-lo. You probably don't need it in the snow.

FarmDiesel · **Joined:** Thu Sep 15, 2005 8:49 am **Posts:** 132

NOTE: If you have command trac (as described above), then it's a 50/50 split, front and rear.

BUT: In jeeps with selectrac, that are operating in full-time 4wd, there is an open center differential...which means that there is no real 'power split'. Notwithstanding what the jeep website says about 48/52, with full time, it will only really power 1 tire under severely adverse conditions.

Also...I'm not sure why you'd want to go over 55mph if the roads were bad enough to require 4wd...but while you aren't supposed to shift into 4wd while going over 55, you certainly can stay in 4wd and go over 55. In KJs, the driveline spins anyhow.

dog_party · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 9:55 am

This http://www.jeep.com/liberty/4wd_capability.html provides some good simplified (and animated) info for you. It sounds like you have CommandTrac. Both of your 4WD modes lock the center differential, which forces 50% of your power to the front and 50% of your power to the rear (and forces them to turn at the same speed). Don't try to turn on dry pavement while in either mode or you'll get binding (you'll feel the steering wheel trying to go back to straight).

4LO will CRAWL. You will only need this in the most severe conditions (like if you accidentally have to inch your way through two-foot snow drifts in the median to drive around something). If you NEED to use this, slow down to 2-3 MPH, shift your Transmission into N (the tranny, not the 4WD mode selection level), shift the 4WD mode selection lever into 4LO and enjoy your stump-pulling gear. You won't go very fast, but you'll climb up trees if you want to.

Keep it safe. Four wheels slide sideways at the same rate regardless of if there is torque going to them or not.

PCTim · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 12:26 pm

dog_party wrote:

Keep it safe. Four wheels slide sideways at the same rate regardless of if there is torque going to them or not.

Do you ever notice that most of the vehicles off the road on snowy days are 4X4's? It seems that most people become invincible when driving a 4x4 in the snow. Please keep in mind what dog party said. 4 wheel drive doesn't matter when the brakes are locked up.
That being said, this is what I do (and I'm in Mass, so I'll be getting the same as you for weather). I put it in 4-hi (part time on the Command Track) when needed. I also keep the OD button off. When approaching hills (heading down), I will downshift into second and keep my foot OFF of the brakes. Let the Jeep do the work for you. This worked well for me in Maine on Thanksgiving (about 6" of snow). I also hit some black ice on my way home. All I had to do was remain calm, and remove my foot from the brake pedal. The tires did what they were supposed to (I was in 2wd and coming off of an off-ramp).
Like everyone else has pretty much stated before (I know, we're ALL experts here :wink:

), just take it slow and steady. That being said, keep in mind that when in 2wd, the Jeep is a REAR wheel drive vehicle. With a little practice (and help from the e-brake) you can drift it around corners like nobodies business :twisted:

Stay safe!

Guest · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 12:28 pm

to expound, and potentially contribute absolutely nothing..this is something my grampa's always told me about winter driving:

Sure, it might be four wheel drive, but ALL cars have four wheel brakes.

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 5:44 pm

Well thanks for all the tips. When I left this morining the snow was over my bumper. 4LO got me to the main street. 4HI to the entrance ramp and 2wd to work. Got off the highway and of course the access road into the airport where I pull in wasn't plowed yet so put it in neutral, switched to 4LO (guess I was revving a little high because it went KLUNK!) hit the gas and NOTHING HAPPENED! :shock:

gas again, same result, switched to HI, nothing! Oops, didn't take it out of neutral!! :oops:

(but my heart was in high gear) :shock:

Big snow coming - 4HI or 4LO?

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