[BostonBob]

Hello, - just curious the manual says for dry pavement to keep in 2wd. Is that what others do? Is there better mileage or performance? My Eddie Bauer had only Auto or 4HI. Any thoughts?

 

[92TripleBlack]

2WD unless you anticipate needing the 4WD. EX. Rainy, snowy, etc. day.

 

[Armada]

I keep it in Auto most of the time. Our 4x4's don't really have a transfer case disconnect, so the front diff and axles spin all the time anyway, it only disconnects at the hubs.

In 2WD you are hub disconnected but everything else is still spinning. In "Auto" you are still in the same condition, but if the sensors detect that there is slippage at the rear then it can electrically lock the front hubs and transfer power to the front as needed to "pull" you out of trouble as well as to correct for erroneous steering input.

It's just my personal opinion, but our VDC system will work best if you are in "Auto" mode when it makes a correction. That way it can not only use selective braking, but can also transfer power to the front when needed.

I can discern no difference in gas mileage when running in 2WD as compared to "Auto" and that seems to make sense realizing that the transfer case, front diff and front axles are all spinning all the time anyway. Nor would 2WD mode really reduce wear on the drive train, except for those times that VDC kicked in the front hubs.

Maybe I'm missing something, but this is how I understand the system to work.

 

[Mike]

Hello, - just curious the manual says for dry pavement to keep in 2wd. Is that what others do? Is there better mileage or performance? My Eddie Bauer had only Auto or 4HI. Any thoughts?

When I purchased my 04' Smoke the dealer told be to just keep it in AWD that there was no gas savings by driving it in 2WD. I'm Testing that thought now as our roads in PIttsburgh are dry and winter is gone. I dont anticipate any gain from running in 2WD, and it does feel differant driving it in 2WD, not sure i like it? :itsfriday :itsfriday

 

[BostonBob]

Thanks for the replies. I will have to try it to see how it feels but given your answers - I guess auto is the way to go.

 

[BostonBob]

Triple Black - Nice ride. Those wheels look real nice against the red paint. At first I was confused as to your screen name and a Red truck - but now I see the Corvette listing. Good combo!

 

[92TripleBlack]

Triple Black - Nice ride. Those wheels look real nice against the red paint. At first I was confused as to your screen name and a Red truck - but now I see the Corvette listing. Good combo!

Thanks man. I keep the Tripleblack because I've been using it as a forum name for years and people will recognize me. Funny thing, my jetski matches the paint on the Armada. Going for a ride tomorrow and I'll take a pic.

 

[Armadaof1]

I used to run the truck in 2WD unless it was wet outside, etc. But then I had a near miss when a guy tried to drive into me on the interstate. I swerved to avoid him and put two wheels onto the gravel shoulder at 70mph. Nothing bad happened then, but it made me think that if this happens again, I'd like the additional control of AWD if I lost traction.

No change in gas mileage going to AWD, so that's where it stays. I'll probably only ever use 2WD when I tow.

Matt