How often should the transfer case be used?

[Orcman84]

I understand this isn’t a Toyota forum, but my buddy who just purchased a 2022 Taco told me his owners manual states the 4wd should be engaged at least once a month for ten miles. He’s assuming it’s to keep it lubricated. He asked me if my 22 JLUR owners manual states the same. I can’t find any wording that states anything the same or similar. My 22 JLUR has a little under 2k miles on it. I took delivery of it mid March 2022. I haven’t used my 4wd yet either since I haven’t had an opportunity yet.

Should we be engaging our transfer cases often for any sort of maintenance/lubrication reason?

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[Retrograde]

You make it sound like putting it in 4WD is a chore, like pulling nose hairs or taking a colonic...

If I don't find a reason to engage 4WD every time I take the Jeep out, I've failed in my obligations as a Jeep owner. Jeeping is a way of life, not a responsibility.

 

[Deleted member 59498]

Doesn't transfer case gears spin regardless?

 

[InVinoVeritasty]

Out of self respect, you and your Jeep should be doing double whatever your buddy and his Toyota does.

 

[Reinen]

I'm not aware of any requirement to put a Jeep in 4WD for any length of time, other than that's what any self-respecting Jeep owner would do.

Maybe taco owners need reminders like this? ?‍

 

[AcesandEights]

I try to use mine at least once a week. You should too.

 

[Orcman84]

You make it sound like putting it in 4WD is a chore, like pulling nose hairs or taking a colonic...

If I don't find a reason to engage 4WD every time I take the Jeep out, I've failed in my obligations as a Jeep owner. Jeeping is a way of life, not a responsibility.

I'm not aware of any requirement to put a Jeep in 4WD for any length of time, other than that's what any self-respecting Jeep owner would do.

Maybe taco owners need reminders like this? ?‍

I wasn’t trying to make it seem like it’s a chore to use the transfer case. Much like coming to the forum and asking about how pine tar can be removed from paint or having an impatient wife and worrying about proximity locks.

I use my JLUR as a daily driver, much like a lot of people on this forum. I just haven’t had the opportunity to take off road yet. I figured this was an appropriate place to ask a question to people who know proper maintenance of transfer case.

 

[KNN]

I wasn’t trying to make it seem like it’s a chore to use the transfer case. Much like coming to the forum and asking about how pine tar can be removed from paint or having an impatient wife and worrying about proximity locks.

I use my JLUR as a daily driver, much like a lot of people on this forum. I just haven’t had the opportunity to take off road yet. I figured this was an appropriate place to ask a question to people who know proper maintenance of transfer case.

I found it helpful. Thanks for posting.

 

[Megawatt]

I try at least monthly to go into 4wd. I will find a non paved area and drive. I never read anywhere in the manual that says to do it. I just try to keep things lubricated and used. Good for me there are 1000‘s of miles of trails very close to drive on.

The dark lines are well established trails commonly used. The white lines that look like runoff are clear trails that you could travel on (There is no runoff here, we have no rain). This is just South of town next to IH-15.

 

[Apples491]

The transfer case gears are always spinning and getting lubricated. This is particularly true in the Taco, where the front driveshaft always turns when moving.

There is, however, a mechanism that switches the case from 2hi to 4wd and back. On the Wrangler, that mechanism is mechanical linkage. On the taco, it's electronically controlled. I'm just guessing, but maybe there's a danger on the taco for that mechanism to lockup, or perhaps the electronic portion is programed to fail open if it meets any resistance. So using 4wd frequently would avoid that or at least let you know something is wrong before you're in a situation where you need it.

 

[Orcman84]

I try at least monthly to go into 4wd. I will find a non paved area and drive. I never read anywhere in the manual that says to do it. I just try to keep things lubricated and used. Good for me there are 1000‘s of miles of trails very close to drive on.

The dark lines are well established trails commonly used. The white lines that look like runoff are clear trails that you could travel on (There is no runoff here, we have no rain). This is just South of town next to IH-15.

The transfer case gears are always spinning and getting lubricated. This is particularly true in the Taco, where the front driveshaft always turns when moving.

There is, however, a mechanism that switches the case from 2hi to 4wd and back. On the Wrangler, that mechanism is mechanical linkage. On the taco, it's electronically controlled. I'm just guessing, but maybe there's a danger on the taco for that mechanism to lockup, or perhaps the electronic portion is programed to fail open if it meets any resistance. So using 4wd frequently would avoid that or at least let you know something is wrong before you're in a situation where you need it.

Thank you! This is exactly the the information I was looking for.

 

[1996cc]

The transfer case gears are always spinning and getting lubricated. This is particularly true in the Taco, where the front driveshaft always turns when moving.

There is, however, a mechanism that switches the case from 2hi to 4wd and back. On the Wrangler, that mechanism is mechanical linkage. On the taco, it's electronically controlled. I'm just guessing, but maybe there's a danger on the taco for that mechanism to lockup, or perhaps the electronic portion is programed to fail open if it meets any resistance. So using 4wd frequently would avoid that or at least let you know something is wrong before you're in a situation where you need it.

Some are now electronically actuated with clutches. Any model with the AWD option, uses clutches. In my 392 with the Tazer, I can be in 2wd low even though the Tcase lever is in 4low. I have friends with a Mojave and a 2.0 turbo JL, both are the same as mine.

 

[OBD]

I wasn’t trying to make it seem like it’s a chore to use the transfer case. Much like coming to the forum and asking about how pine tar can be removed from paint or having an impatient wife and worrying about proximity locks.

I use my JLUR as a daily driver, much like a lot of people on this forum. I just haven’t had the opportunity to take off road yet. I figured this was an appropriate place to ask a question to people who know proper maintenance of transfer case.

My 2021 Willys has a little over 1200 miles on it.I think it has been in 4H and 4L twice.I think it's a good idea to engage the system enough to break it in so to speak. And yes...some Jeeps when new ARE a pain in the ass to engage.I use my Jeep as a daily driver and except for bad weather it will seldom be in 4WD. I still love it.

 

[roaniecowpony]

Oil doesn't just slop around in there. It has an oil pump that works whenever the driveshaft turns.

....which is one reason why you can flat tow it.

 

[Jim1964]

It’s a good practice to engage it regularly for two reasons. One is that Jeeps are notoriously stiff to shift when new. With use it will shift easier.

Second is it gets you familiar with the feeling and feedback from the shifter. Don’t wait until you are stuck somewhere to learn how it works.

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