OK to use 4Auto setting in rain?
- Thread starter HemiSue
- Start date
Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2017
- Posts
- 578
- Reaction score
- 1,405
- Location
- York, Pennsylvania
- Ram Year
- 2014 1500 Laramie 4x4 QC, True Blue Pearl
- Engine
- 5.7L Hemi
I do all the time. The Rams with the 4wd Auto use clutches that only engage when called for, in the rear diff and the transfer case.
So unlike vehicles with serious 4wd capability with a locking transfer case, ours only locks when uneven wheel spin is detected, then either the rear diff, or the T-case, or both, are engaged.
I hope I wrote that so it makes sense.
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2020
- Posts
- 10,813
- Reaction score
- 14,325
- Location
- El Cajon Calif. 92021
- Ram Year
- 2016
- Engine
- 3.0 ecodiesel
Would it help or hinder, if you were driving on a flooded surface, like say 3 to 6 inches of water ?
Wild one
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2016
- Posts
- 15,610
- Reaction score
- 28,711
- Ram Year
- 14 Sport
- Engine
- 5.7
In those circumstances you should be just above a crawl,and it probably wouldn't hurt.
Rlaf75
Senior Member
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2015
- Posts
- 1,552
- Reaction score
- 1,661
- Location
- East Hartford CT
- Ram Year
- 2011
- Engine
- Hemi 5.7
I hardly ever get wheel spin from a traffic light and I never have it in 4 auto. People need to learn how to drive in less than perfect conditions lol
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2019
- Posts
- 392
- Reaction score
- 1,000
- Location
- Bowie County, Texas
- Ram Year
- 21 Longhorn Limited
- Engine
- Hemi 5.7
^^^ T H I S. ^^^
Daviddnv
Member
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2021
- Posts
- 43
- Reaction score
- 31
- Location
- Orlando/Daytona Beach, FL
- Ram Year
- 2022
- Engine
- Hemi 5.7
I have to say, it's helped me. I4 between Daytona and Orlando, seems to be a place, for me, that has poor drainage during heavy rain. I would hydroplane slightly with just 2wd, the 4wd Auto seemed to lesson that hydroplaning. Same road, same conditions, same speed... I experienced less hydroplaning with 4wd Auto engaged.
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2018
- Posts
- 20,369
- Reaction score
- 46,431
- Location
- Central Texas
- Ram Year
- 2019 Bighorn, 4 X 4, 3.21 rear, Bright Flame Red Pearl Coat, Mopar tonneau cover,Westin Bed rug
- Engine
- Hemi 5.7
It will help some but not a does it all thing. U gotta be smart and drive to conditions. Also PSI on tires, condition and type of tires, status of road and current conditions and USE of the skinny pedal all have input.
liedoctor
Junior Member
Can you drive at highway speeds with truck set on 4WD Auto?
PowrRam
Senior Member
- Joined
- May 12, 2018
- Posts
- 770
- Reaction score
- 628
- Location
- Minneapolis
- Ram Year
- 2018 Big Horn
- Engine
- 3.6L V6
I use 4WD auto in rainy conditions because my tires are getting worn. I think it helps to use 4WD auto in these conditions.
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2016
- Posts
- 567
- Reaction score
- 589
- Location
- Greeenwich/Easton upstate NY
- Ram Year
- 2015 Ram Ecodiesel crewcab old/ now 2019 Laramie Hemi
- Engine
- eco diesel old / now Hemi missing the eco's mileage
Yes the transfer case has clutches that are applied by the computer, I do not beleive that is the case for the differential.
The differential is just a conventional limited slip with clutchs and cams, then you have the brake traction control.
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2016
- Posts
- 567
- Reaction score
- 589
- Location
- Greeenwich/Easton upstate NY
- Ram Year
- 2015 Ram Ecodiesel crewcab old/ now 2019 Laramie Hemi
- Engine
- eco diesel old / now Hemi missing the eco's mileage
Yes if your tires are evenly sized so the computer doesn't see any tire slip it will not engage the transfer case clutches.
It used to be that the auto would engage the front axle lock so the front "hubs" would be engage and ready for power when ever the t case sends it. I think it still does.
Wild one
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2016
- Posts
- 15,610
- Reaction score
- 28,711
- Ram Year
- 14 Sport
- Engine
- 5.7
If you're going fast enough to hydroplane, 4 Auto isn't going to do a thing for you,as the tires still aren't making contact with the pavement.That's a placebo effect your feeling
suicideking
Member
4A is great for light rain. My wife's Expedition also has it, I've told her to use it if she feels any slipping at all since she doesn't seem comfortable with 4WD.
My general rule of thumb: If it's raining and I feel any slipping, switch to 4A. While in 4A, if it's heavier rain or has been heavier and I still feel slipping, just switch to 4WD.
My general rule of thumb: If it's raining and I feel any slipping, switch to 4A. While in 4A, if it's heavier rain or has been heavier and I still feel slipping, just switch to 4WD.
jimboschnitz
Senior Member
4 Auto is the ticket on rain slick roads. It's almost automatic for me to select
4A when ever the windshield wipers start to go.
4A when ever the windshield wipers start to go.
inuyasha-rules
Member
I've had to pull our 4wd 1500 shop truck out of snow a lot - with my 2wd 1500 and 2wd Honda passport. Good tires make a huge difference in life.
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2018
- Posts
- 20,369
- Reaction score
- 46,431
- Location
- Central Texas
- Ram Year
- 2019 Bighorn, 4 X 4, 3.21 rear, Bright Flame Red Pearl Coat, Mopar tonneau cover,Westin Bed rug
- Engine
- Hemi 5.7
YES
Marshall
Senior Member
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2013
- Posts
- 1,275
- Reaction score
- 1,134
- Location
- Sk, Canada
- Ram Year
- 2014 sport
- Engine
- 5.7 hemi
We hardly ever get enough rain to worry about hydroplaning, I also always run very good tires.
But in winter we have ice and snow, and in town I am almost always in 4wd auto, highway speeds are no problem. you can turn it on at any time, not the case with the older systems.
The wife's Honda is a AWD so its always on, and only time you notice it is starting on ice, its better them the truck as there is no delay, the truck , if its slipping ,there is a moment when it slips , then you feel it kick into 4wd
Highways are usally good, so most of the time its in 2wd, but its easy just to hit the button if you see something coming up.
But in winter we have ice and snow, and in town I am almost always in 4wd auto, highway speeds are no problem. you can turn it on at any time, not the case with the older systems.
The wife's Honda is a AWD so its always on, and only time you notice it is starting on ice, its better them the truck as there is no delay, the truck , if its slipping ,there is a moment when it slips , then you feel it kick into 4wd
Highways are usally good, so most of the time its in 2wd, but its easy just to hit the button if you see something coming up.
Similar threads
Staff online
-
rule18Admin
Members online
- Exley
- jws123
- Quick_Shifter
- J-barcarp
- KRAZIEWILLIE
- Rlaf75
- JeremyW
- Gregket1
- dhay13
- Airdog
- TC
- CamperMike
- RamDiver
- crackerjack1957
- RainZeros
- DanHate
- FJ Mike
- Richard Long
- caulk04
- Bgjnsn81
- marcmichel
- Ken226
- Kid's HEMI! !!
- rzr6-4
- star_deceiver
- Jeepwalker
- Wild one
- hdog33
- clay282
- GPD2
- bulldog1891
- 9604708
- sid79
- GTyankee
- maxx442
- kad
- Rbhino86
- rule18
- Drock1284
- simon_o
- Bandit517
- azzolij
- Runaround
- alivance
- sreade
- Perforator
- osprey ram
- PA Ram
- RnLGriff
- Mister19