For the past 3 days it has been snowing here. So iv been in 4x4 99% of the time. Yesterday I was at 3/4 of a tank when usally I would be at a 1/4 or less. I drive a half hour to work 1 way doing 50-60mph the hole way. I check the screen on the roof when i was in 4x4 doing 50-60 i was getting 14.6mpg to 15.4mpg! On my way home from work the roads were better so i ran 2wheel I checked the mpg screen and in 2wheel i was getting 11.0mpg to 12.5mpg now from othere 4x4 trucks iv owned i got bad mpg in 4wheel. why would this be doing this. I wasn't driving any different in 2wd i wasnt getting on it and sliding around? Any idea's

 

Coinicidence. Maybe the wind was at your back one way and not the other. Maybe you were easier on the throttle while in 4wd, but no way 4wd gives better milage.

 

Yeah.......I can't understand that either.
The whole of the 4x4 assy is rotating anyway on our 1500's, weather or not 4x4 is engaged. The transfer case is just locked that's all.
Anyway if your getting better mileage, great.
Al.

 

Fluke my friend! After more extensive testing, maybe a whole tank both ways, you would see a lower MPG in 4WD

 

Can't go by the overhead read-out.
I'll say it one more time.
You Can't go by the overhead read-out.

the only time that overhead read-out is correct is when you burn ATLEAST one full tank or more. The reason is because you will get instant estimated mpg's rather than overall calulated consistent mpg's.
Push the reset button on the overhead console and drive downhill. Now you will get 25mpg in a 4x4 truck.....see why?

I will say that I have had the experience driving 4wd for 1/4 tank and I calculated the mpg's toright about 15mpg while in 4wd and traveling ~50mph (topped off for exact amount of gas burned)
However, traveling the same trip in 2wd on a nice day resulted in 16.5mpg.

 

Ok I thought that screen wasn't right. O yes and another thing when I shift back in to 2wd it dosnt go back in right off then when i get back on the gas it slams into 2wd, Iv stopped put the trans in N and shifted back into 2wd and it still slammed in to 2wd. its like the the 4x4 shifter isnt lined up with the transfer. its pretty rough to. I do need to do complet fulid change think that might be it?

 

If you have a manual shift transfer case, you have to pretty much be on level flat ground for it to work perfect. Remember, all it is, is a bar shifting your transfer case, basically. You just have to work with it a little, find the sweet spot.

Lastly, What are we doing going 50-60 mph in 4WD? This is a new concept to me. I thought 40 was tops. man, Im going to have to check the owners manual again. lol

 

If there's a top speed while driving in 4x4 my transfer case is clinically dead then.

 

You can do 100mph in 4-hi with no ill effects at all. The stuff is spinning in 2wd when you are going that fast as well so what's the difference in 4wd other than "bind" on the tires if running on dry roads.

tested my truck out in 4-hi one night. Got it up to 90 on a straight shot and couldn't even tell that 4wd was engaged. My silverado was the same way. I'll run 70mph regularly in 4wd because I use it in 2" or 20" of snow.
I never understood why guys buy 4wd and never use it in snow storms because they "didn't need it". use 4wd if you have it. that's what it's for. As long as the pavement is covered, your tires will slip and the truck will be safely driven.
Common sense applies to 4wd speeds, but there isn't a "top speed" for 4wd.

 

Yes the road i drive is more like a highway so its plowed pretty well so doing 50-60 is no prob if there are sharp turns obviously you would go slower. I run 4x4 when ever i can like dirtydog said if you got it use it thats why I bought a 4x4.