[kentkhi]

I am no mechanic, but I know that using the Tundras 4x4 while on pavement is not the best thing to do. Well, I tested it. I had my wife and daughter waiting for me in the pickup, and my little 18mo daughter decided to turn the dial to 4hi. I was pulling a trailer out of a driveway onto a busy street and didn't notice anything funny until I started to turn. My first 2 thoughts were I got to hurry and swing out of the way of oncoming traffic, and why am I not turning? I turned on the pavement for 20-30 feet and got the pickup straight and realized at the same time I had been in 4wd. My wife says, Oh, I was going to tell you she turned that knob.

Anyway, now I am hearing a slight vibration, it pulsates slightly, and reminds me of the noise or feeling of offroad tires that are out of balance, or worn. It varies with the speed I am driving.

Did I do something to the tires, scraping them as I turned that creates this noise, or could I have ground some gears in 20 feet?

Lastly, I am still under warranty, but would they cover anything like this, especially knowing I drove in 4wd on pavement, even though it was not intentional?

I know, I probably should take it in, but I trust the internet more than the dealer mechanics, sadly.

 

[bigMoney]

Of course this shouldn't have hurt anything. Its an 07 correct? When was the last time, if ever, that you put it into 4x4? You should do it every month for a couple of miles to keep it lubed. How many miles? When did you replace the diff / transfer case fluids? Try putting it into 4x4 now, without a load and seeing what happens? then back to 2. And did you peel out into the traffic? What are you not telling us? Kiss the 18 mo and tell her its all daddy's fault. Better yet go buy her a toy.

And I wouldn't mention this little episode when / if you do have to take it to the dealer. Heheheheh

 

[kentkhi]

Of course this shouldn't have hurt anything. Its an 07 correct? When was the last time, if ever, that you put it into 4x4? You should do it every month for a couple of miles to keep it lubed. How many miles? When did you replace the diff / transfer case fluids? Try putting it into 4x4 now, without a load and seeing what happens? then back to 2. And did you peel out into the traffic? What are you not telling us? Kiss the 18 mo and tell her its all daddy's fault. Better yet go buy her a toy.

And I wouldn't mention this little episode when / if you do have to take it to the dealer. Heheheheh

Its been a few months since I have used 4x4. I don't drive a few miles in 4x4 every month. (thanks for the tip) I am getting close to 28k miles, and haven't changed the fluid yet. I have a hard time believing that new fluid would make a difference in 20 ft. And I had hardly any pressure on the throttle, and did not get over 5mph. I am not a punk kid type of driver, and I don't 4x4 every weekend. I have the 4x4 for pulling trailers out of a muddy jobsite, driving in snow, an icy boat ramp, etc.

You mean I shouldn't have yelled at my daughter? :baby::blah:

 

[02Tundy]

Not the daughter's fault.. It's the wife's fault. She's been around vehicles for a few years, she knows what 4WD is..

 

[cliff clavin]

errrrr perhaps we should ask what the 18 month old was doing in the front seat? this shouldn't have hurt a thing....

 

[DavidT.]

You may have put a strain on the 4WD system but definitely shouldn't have hurt the truck just turning into traffic, not one bit.

 

[beachbum1]

You may have put a strain on the 4WD system but definitely shouldn't have hurt the truck just turning into traffic, not one bit.

seriously. we just bought our second tundra and id like to think these trucks are beefier than breaking by using 4x4 on tarmac. and its stuff like that why we don't let kids ride in our cars/trucks lol.

 

[krewitup13]

So i agree with beachbum of course...they are beefier ill tell you why... with my 08 out at pismo beach last year i had my truck at like 65-70mph switching in and out of 4 wheel drive full throttle to no half throttle and i hit 90mph taking it out of 4 wheel drive... and jumping the crap out of it i will say this probably not smart but whatever its mega fun out there and nothing happened and 3 services later still GOLDEN with 31,200 miles as of today...second i bet you a pretty penny that like the ford raptor P.O.S you could switch in and out of 4 wheel drive and 100mph and not damage anything...just a thought...the only thing that stops people is a book and warning that says NO dont do it 25 mph is the limit.

 

[krewitup13]

not the daughter's fault.. It's the wife's fault. She's been around vehicles for a few years, she knows what 4wd is..

tru dat

 

[willi717]

I thought it was 4lo that you couldn't use on pavement???

 

[DaYooper]

Didn't hurt the truck, but the sound you are hearing now sounds like the front diff problem. Mine did the same thing just after 4x4 use(not on pavement). Feels like a slight vibration in the steering wheel and is cyclical. Only happens below 40mph but not all the time? Could be the front diff issue.

 

[mikeincali64]

My 20 month old son did the same thing. I put the truck in drive and it didn't move. I freaked thinking I had a huge problem. I looked around and sure enough the 4x4 was engaged. Exhaled and then switched it back and drove home happily.

 

[socaliallstar82]

I see people use 4 wheel drive at the drag strip all the time. Doesn't seem to hurt them going down the 1/4 mile (except their times, lol), so i doubt 20 feet in gonna hurt anything.

 

[Barney_Fife]

what are these kiddos doing in the front seat anyway? if the truck isnt going down the road they dont need to be just climbing all over the place anyway but if its running or getting read to drive or anything close to that the kid needs to be strapped into a car seat in the back....

 

[krewitup13]

Barney thats whats up