Does anyone have a good description of 4WD Auto on the 2009 Ram? My salesman said I should not drive over 55 mph in this setting, but I question that.
Thanks
Thanks
CUTigerGrad
Not real sure of that . I am old style (pull the lever when necessary). Have you checked your owners manual ? If you flip down your driver side visor , it may tell you there also .
the 09 owners manual doesn't list a speed limitation for 4WD Auto or 4WD Lock, it just says don't go over 25mph in 4WD Low. The descriptions of all of the modes are on pg 337 of the owners manual.
The description of the 4WD Auto mode in the owners manual is "Four-Wheel Drive Auto Range - This range sends power to the rear wheels. The four-wheel drive system will be automatically engaged when the vehicle senses a loss of traction. Additional traction for varying road conditions."
So it sounds like you won't hurt anything if you leave it in 4WD Auto at highway speeds, but at those speeds you probably won't see any benefit from it.
The description of the 4WD Auto mode in the owners manual is "Four-Wheel Drive Auto Range - This range sends power to the rear wheels. The four-wheel drive system will be automatically engaged when the vehicle senses a loss of traction. Additional traction for varying road conditions."
So it sounds like you won't hurt anything if you leave it in 4WD Auto at highway speeds, but at those speeds you probably won't see any benefit from it.
I have been driving the Ram 4X4 since 1997 and I start work at 4AM so I am on the roads usually before they plow.
I know you should never shift into 4 high above say 40MPH but there is no Max Speed that I have come across. I travel country roads until I get near the city and I know I have been in 4 wheel drive when on the interstate a few times.
So 65 to 75 MPH is no problem with 4 wheeling.
4 wheel drive is awesome and such a secure feeling to drive. Very Stable and secure feeling.
BUT,
Remember your brakes are no better than the cheapest Jap Crap out there.
And that's what bites most people that drive in winter.
Good Luck
Mohawk
I know you should never shift into 4 high above say 40MPH but there is no Max Speed that I have come across. I travel country roads until I get near the city and I know I have been in 4 wheel drive when on the interstate a few times.
So 65 to 75 MPH is no problem with 4 wheeling.
4 wheel drive is awesome and such a secure feeling to drive. Very Stable and secure feeling.
BUT,
Remember your brakes are no better than the cheapest Jap Crap out there.
And that's what bites most people that drive in winter.
Good Luck
Mohawk
The only reason I can see them reccommending not to exceed 55MPH is to save on wear of the pars if it tries to shift in or out at speed. The work truck gets the hubs locked in in Oct and unlocked in Apr so having the fulltime 4WD at the touch of a knob is handy. I've found no wear issues so I don't see the reason for the limit, maybe just to cover the backsides.
And what mohawk said, remember, 4X4 doesn't mean brakes of god... just better traction on the start. I laugh at SUVs and trucks that're in the ditch after the first snowfall cuz little miss thought 4X4 was invincible mode.
And what mohawk said, remember, 4X4 doesn't mean brakes of god... just better traction on the start. I laugh at SUVs and trucks that're in the ditch after the first snowfall cuz little miss thought 4X4 was invincible mode.
I haven't used my truck in the winter yet, but I eagerly await having my truck set to 4wd auto. My last truck did not have this feature and I would find myself fish-tailing on the littlest of hills. Toyota is famous for that. If you are going 55 down the highway and suddenly need 4wd, I don't think worrying about exceeding the salesman's recommendations would be the first on your list of things running through your head.
Thanks for the response. My question was more aimed at understanding how and when you might use "4WD Auto" vs "4WD locked." I understand that shifting modes must be done at low speeds, but was not sure if the "auto" mode allowed me to drive around town or the interstate when the roads do get slippery this winter. I did check the owners manual, but was not satisfied with their description. Thanks again for all of you who responded.
My dad has a Chevy with this feature and he leaves it set to 4 auto in the winter, it kicks in when needed and goes back to 2wd when not needed. I wouldn't worry too much about it.
4WD Auto would be best used when on roads that are a little slick. It will allow you to put power only to the rear wheels most of the time, but if the computer senses a little wheel spin (think starting from a stop light on a hill) it will engage the front wheels as well to help you get started.
If you know you're going to be in slick conditions, such as a muddy trail, but it's not real bad (enough to warrant 4WD Low), then 4WD Lock will be the best option. This will put power to all 4 wheels all the time, so there won't be a delay while the computer figures out that two wheels are spinning.
As far as "suddenly needing" 4WD at 55mph, I can't think of any situation where this could possibly help. If you are going 55, and you start to fishtail, the only thing 4WD will do for you is let you spin all 4 wheels instead of 2. In my not so humble opinion, 4WD in any mode will only do the following things:
1: Help you get your truck moving in a slippery situation
2: Help you get your truck from a somewhat slippery situation into an even slipperier situation
3: Help you spin all 4 of your wheels at once, which leaves you with less control than only spinning 2
If conditions are slick, nothing will help you more than taking it easy and keeping your wits about you. Can't slide in the snow into a tree at 55mph if you weren't going 55mph to begin with.
If you know you're going to be in slick conditions, such as a muddy trail, but it's not real bad (enough to warrant 4WD Low), then 4WD Lock will be the best option. This will put power to all 4 wheels all the time, so there won't be a delay while the computer figures out that two wheels are spinning.
As far as "suddenly needing" 4WD at 55mph, I can't think of any situation where this could possibly help. If you are going 55, and you start to fishtail, the only thing 4WD will do for you is let you spin all 4 wheels instead of 2. In my not so humble opinion, 4WD in any mode will only do the following things:
1: Help you get your truck moving in a slippery situation
2: Help you get your truck from a somewhat slippery situation into an even slipperier situation
3: Help you spin all 4 of your wheels at once, which leaves you with less control than only spinning 2
If conditions are slick, nothing will help you more than taking it easy and keeping your wits about you. Can't slide in the snow into a tree at 55mph if you weren't going 55mph to begin with.
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