Son drove the truck to school and back, apparently popped it in 4hi

[ixo]

This is my first truck, has about 1500 miles at this point.

Son drove my truck to school yesterday and apparently was poking around on the knobs etc, and put it in 4hi. I know you should avoid using 4hi (and lo) on pavement and tight turns, it's best when the wheels are slipping independently, and turns can bind the driveshaft, etc.

We're talking maybe 10 miles tops here for the full round trip, no freeway, maybe 40mph top speed? So not all day or anything, and I'm not sure if it was on the way to school or back. I immedately noticed it felt different this morning, and it took me a sec to realize what was off (it being in 4hi). This is nothing major to worry about, right? I want to just use it as a learning lesson for him (he just got his license) but also don't want to make anything worse or not give it attention if it needs it.

Am I overthinking this?

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[GDobbins]

Seems like you are over thinking it a bit. Very negligible, shouldn't be a problem at all.

 

[timetoeatpotatoes]

They wore the diff and tires more than normal but its probably fine.

 

[Delirious]

I did it for about the same distance a few months back and I got up to 65 and 70 for two or 3 miles
I discovered it before I got home and was shocked I couldn't tell the difference because I've always been able to feel it immediately when hitting the asphalt in four-wheel-drive in my other trucks in my past lives. Maybe the all-wheel-drive kept me from feeling it?
Everything's been good since then and I've been more aware of that 4H.
Hopefully I'll never do it again.

 

[EastonTaco]

My wife did this on my Gen 3 a few years ago then came home and said something was wrong with the truck, it’s hopping during turns. Turns out she had it 4WD Hi. I talked to the service manager at my local Toyota dealer who said if something broke you would know it. I had the truck three more years and never had a problem. My guess is that you should be OK

 

[LincolnSixAlpha]

Wouldn't worry so much on that. I dont Offroad much, although I have many vast deserts around me in which to do so, but at least once a month when I know I'm gonna be driving straight for a few miles or more, I'll flip on the 4 by system just to keep things "exercised" I've noticed the front diff has become quite a bit more smoother in operation since it's getting a good chance to wear in.

Anyhow, the driveline will take a bit more than you can dish out, at least in your mind at this point. if it's driving normal I wouldn't sweat it.

I can't say I've ever heard of anyone destroying a part time 4WD driveline by driving on pavement, although I'm sure it has happened.

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