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.

 

[wutheck]

My son did the same thing. He gets back home and lets me know the truck stops when he makes turns. Of course he denies messing with the dial. haha No harm done as far as I can tell.

 

[24TacomaGirl]

Definitely no major concerns (except for gas mileage) at nominal street/highway speeds in 4hi. It can do it, and yes, puts extra wear on the driveline, but it’s designed to be able to do it. Just mileage is all that will suffer!

 

[EastonTaco]

In the same vein as the red airplane “Remove before flight” tags, someone needs to make a red “Don’t touch this F#%king button” tag.

 

[Mrknowitall]

Up here (in the Great Lakes) we run stuff in part time 4wd ,at freeway speeds, all winter long. Nothing to worry about.
Where your son might be headed in dad's Tacoma in 4wd is another matter.

 

[kaliforniaman]

I have always been in the habit of putting my grocery getter in 4H every few months to keep the 4W driveshaft and components lubricated. I usually go up a slow hill, maybe 30MPH, but it’s never been a problem. In snow or ice, much more often. Did this on the 99’ OR, 30 years and never a problem with the 4WD system.

 

[Texas Bob]

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.

Hey, Nick, if your Limited has AWD then it does not have the 4WD drive system that most Tacos have: you have a full-time AWD with a lockable center differential. You're fine on dry pavement all the time without extra wear and tear unless you engage the center differential.

 

[WhakoDog]

Hey, Nick, if your Limited has AWD then it does not have the 4WD drive system that most Tacos have: you have a full-time AWD with a lockable center differential. You're fine on dry pavement all the time without extra wear and tear unless you engage the center differential.

Only the Hybrid Limited has AWD. Gas is part time 4WD like the others.

 

[Delirious]

Only the Hybrid Limited has AWD. Gas is part time 4WD like the others.

Another lying salesman got me. That's one thing I didn't even consider verifying and I missed it when I looked at the window sticker.
I knew you were right, but I just verified it with my window sticker.
Dang. But that's OK. I never thought about the AWD until the salesman mentioned it after I went to pick it up.

 

[Delirious]

Only the Hybrid Limited has AWD. Gas is part time 4WD like the others.

Thank you for that but I just found out I do not have the AWD

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