Going in 4WD over 45 mph

[Paulguy100]

Newbie question. It's recommended to go into 4WD less than 45mph. What if I'm going 55 and hit a snow storm? Must I slow down on the interstate?

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[TheRaven]

Newbie question. It's recommended to go into 4WD less than 45mph. What if I'm going 70 and hit a snow storm? Must I slow down on the interstate?

UH YES.

Bottom line is this - in any situation where you need 4WD, you SHOULD NOT be doing more than 45mph. It's not even a matter of mechanical damage at this point, it's not being stupid.

 

[aldo98229]

The reason 4WD is “part-time” has more to do with its impact on vehicle handling than on mechanical components.

Jeep part-time 4WD systems lock front and rear at the transfer case, maximizing traction but compromising handling at speed.

 

[PyrPatriot]

UH YES.

Bottom line is this - in any situation where you need 4WD, you SHOULD NOT be doing more than 45mph. It's not even a matter of mechanical damage at this point, it's not being stupid.

I disagree on that. I have had plenty of times driving highway speeds over 45 in the rain/snow where my AWD was great to have. 4WD would cause mechanical problems I would think unless you had 4WD Auto engaged?

 

[Rocket_Matt]

Newbie question. It's recommended to go into 4WD less than 45mph. What if I'm going 70 and hit a snow storm? Must I slow down on the interstate?

If you're going 70 mph in a snowstorm, you're in the running for a Darwin award.

 

[Deleted member 59098]

Where are you able to go 70mph in a snowstorm? Here, you'll instantly be behind a minivan with chains going 12mph whenever there's even a light flurry.

 

[Dkretden]

Now I’m confused......

the SHIFTING speed (max speed to shift into 4H) is 45 mph. I do not see a maximum driving speed in the manual while in 4H. I do see a max speed for 2L.

leaving all safety issues of driving 70mph on a freeway in a snowstorm, I want to ask this question with a hypothetical circumstance:

a MASSIVE newly paved and totally flat parking lot like one that surrounds a football stadium but 10x as large. It is covered in 3” of fresh snow and it has ice patches under the snow everywhere. You are granted Access to the parking lot ALONE for 1 hour.

are you folks suggesting that the Jeep cannot be put into 4H and then driven around that parking lot at 65mph without doing damage to the jeep?

 

[TheRaven]

I disagree on that. I have had plenty of times driving highway speeds over 45 in the rain/snow where my AWD was great to have. 4WD would cause mechanical problems I would think unless you had 4WD Auto engaged?

AWD is totally different than 4WD. You can run AWD systems up well past 100mph on dry pavement.

Now I’m confused......

the SHIFTING speed (max speed to shift into 4H) is 45 mph. I do not see a maximum driving speed in the manual while in 4H. I do see a max speed for 2L.

leaving all safety issues of driving 70mph on a freeway in a snowstorm, I want to ask this question with a hypothetical circumstance:

a MASSIVE newly paved and totally flat parking lot like one that surrounds a football stadium but 10x as large. It is covered in 3” of fresh snow and it has ice patches under the snow everywhere. You are granted Access to the parking lot ALONE for 1 hour.

are you folks suggesting that the Jeep cannot be put into 4H and then driven around that parking lot at 65mph without doing damage to the jeep?

Theoretically no, there should be no problem mechanically...you will annihilate fuel mileage though.

The speed limit exists for safety...there is no situation where it is both possible and safe to surpass 45mph and you NEED 4WD.

 

[wolfdog]

All crazy inputs aside and not saying you should do 70 in a snowstorm, 70 in 4WD is OK . My JLU has full time 4WD and I've been in that at 70 on dry pavement no problem.

I'm sure the question was asked hypothetically so I guess if you are crazy/brave enough it'll work!

Go Jeep!!!

 

[apb]

AWD is totally different than 4WD. You can run AWD systems up well past 100mph on dry pavement.

Well said, and quoting for emphasis. A lot of people don't realize the differences, and to be fair I don't feel like car companies/salesmen go out of their way to explain the differences either.

 

[TheRaven]

All crazy inputs aside and not saying you should do 70 in a snowstorm, 70 in 4WD is OK . My JLU has full time 4WD and I've been in that at 70 on dry pavement no problem.

I'm sure the question was asked hypothetically so I guess if you are crazy/brave enough it'll work!

Go Jeep!!!

If you are using Selec-Trac then you are not technically in 4WD at 70mph. Selec-Trac will only engage the front axle when there is sufficient rear wheel slippage, and good luck getting sufficient rear wheel slippage at 70mph and living to tell us about it.

 

[wolfdog]

If you are using Selec-Trac then you are not technically in 4WD at 70mph. Selec-Trac will only engage the front axle when there is sufficient rear wheel slippage, and good luck getting sufficient rear wheel slippage at 70mph and living to tell us about it.

Also 70 in 4 hi works fine too, same with my previous JK's. I mean mechanically it's not a problem. Crazy if ya wanna in a snow storm snow on the road, clear road ahead, tighten your seat belt and let her go!! LOL

 

[Paulguy100]

UH YES.

Bottom line is this - in any situation where you need 4WD, you SHOULD NOT be doing more than 45mph. It's not even a matter of mechanical damage at this point, it's not being stupid.

How would you suggest I keep up with traffic in less than ideal circumstances?

 

[Paulguy100]

Newbie question. It's recommended to go into 4WD less than 45mph. What if I'm going 70 and hit a snow storm? Must I slow down on the interstate?

I should add this is a 2021 JLU Rubicon to differentiate between different AWD/4WD systems.

 

[TheRaven]

How would you suggest I keep up with traffic in less than ideal circumstances?

I would suggest that you evaluate whether or not it is a smart idea to "keep up with traffic" given the weather conditions you are driving in. If you perform said evaluation and determine that it IS safe to "keep up with traffic", then you can forego 4WD, you don't need it. If you end up stuck or in the grass because you didn't use 4WD, then your evaluation was wrong. It was not safe to "keep up with traffic".

Lots of videos on youtube of tragic pileups that happened from people "keeping up with traffic" in bad weather. Theres no reason to assume that "traffic" knows what is safe.

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