I've been reading the User Guide and the User Manual.

As far as I can tell, shifting between 2H-4WD Auto & 4WD Lock can be done when the cars is moving. But at what speeds?
And can I do it when turning or when I'm standing still and the weels are turned?

The 4wd Auto is ok to run at any speed on any surface, but the 4WD Lock is only ok on loose surfaces?

The 4WD Auto system runs on 2WD (rear wheels) and has the front axel engaged but send all the power to the rear wheels. When the vehicle senses a loss of traction it engages the front axel as weel.
How does it know, is it a sensor (same as for traction control?) or is it some kind of visko-klutch?
And it only shifts it "on / off", so it's 50/50 or 100% rear wheel drive only?


/Jocce

 

You may need to clarify which model of Transfer Case you have - NVG243 or NVG246.

NVG243 is a "standard" Transfer Case - 2WD, 4WD-Lock, 4WD-Low (Shifts between 2WD <> 4WD-Lock at any reasonable speed; Shifts in/out 4WD-Low require stopping or very slow roll and Neutral)

NVG246 includes the "Auto" mode that you describe, which is a "almost all-time AWD". This is the less common model that needed to be up-ordered. This mode can be selected/shifted at any reasonable speed.

For any 4WD system that locks front/rear drive shafts, the standard warning about avoiding dry surfaces applies. Binding can occur while turning, causing wheel-hopping at minimum or broken parts at worst.

As for power-split in 4WD-Auto mode, while not certain it doesn't seem that variable clutches are mentioned so a locked 50/50 split would be expected.

 

It's the one with 4wd Auto n my truck!

What speed is reasonable?
Some cars allows to shift at 60mph, others only at 30, some at "any" speed, so it would be nice to know!


/Jocce

 

It really doesnt matter what reasonable you define, if the icon is blinking and not solid your not in the selected Auto, so slow down until it stops blinking, its part of the system to prevent damage, same with the 4wd and lo if its blinking somethings not right either your not in neutral for transmission (not the button) or it another error if it takes too long.

 

I think in the owners manual it says 45mph is the max speed at which you can engage 4hi. You can disengage at any speed. I'd try to shift it in at slower speeds if it was possible (less than 25mph)... there is a lot of stuff that has to get turning in order for it to all engage.

4lo is a different story... I've put mine into 4lo a couple times (to pull out a chevy ), basically just rolll down a slight incline (less than 5mph) with the trans in N and it popped right in and popped right out. I'd rather have an actual handle to shift with, but so far this has worked very well.

 

Is there not a complete instruction portion in your manual for all these questions especially for first time four wheel drive owners? It would behoove you to read this it would enlighten you on why you need 4 wheel drive and you might just decide to leave it in auto. My Durango when in auto was like 20 percent front and 80 rear until it needed the extra traction and then I believe it was variable or for sure 50 50 . All I know is that it works well, it makes me wonder are they using jeep technology in the Ram pickups?

 

LOL... My wife, my 10th grade English teacher, and now you... the 3rd person I've ever heard use 'behoove' in a sentence. Well played, I had a flashback to highschool.