Alright, I am a little confused about the various options my truck offers with the transfer case. What is the difference between 4WD Auto and 4WD Lock? I have my hunch on what it might be but I'm not going to bother convoluting the post with my guess. I tried reading the driver's manual about it but it didn't go into any detail to decipher between the two options. Thanks!

 

4WD Auto is like an AWD vehicle, it drives in 2WD until slippage is detected at the drive wheels, then transfers power to the front, while cutting it to the rear.

Pros
- Better on gas
- Can drive any speed, on any surface wet or dry.
- Easier to turn

Cons
- Traction is not as good as 4WD Lock
- There is reaction time, if instant traction is needed

4WD Lock drives with both the front and rear engaged.

Pro
- Better traction then 4WD Auto

Cons
- Speed limited
- harder to turn on dry pavement (in fact, avoid dry parvement)
- Uses more gas

 

So our trucks have AWD? I've never heard of a truck with that option before. So I can use 4wd auto if for say I was driving on the highway in very rainy conditions?

 

Exactly.

And you DO have 4WD lock for those occasions you need it.

 

4wd auto uses the same spped sensors that the abs uses to engage the transfer case. but it mean that the front end is constant volicty. (chevy did the same thing years ago with the auto 4x4 and the fords did it with the explorers. the pros being like he said its awd in better words. ISSUES:: this will cause transfer case to go bad faster because its constently engaging and disengaging. also its burning more gas. factory wont requimend you keep it in auto all the time. but when the wife takes it lock it over you will save you tires. also the lock and rock mode (providing you have it) are the same as 4hi and 4low.

btw using auto doesnt help much anyway because the traction control that is US law required in all new cars and trucks will cut power and ativate abs to slow down tires and not allow for fun lol

 

It's been around for a while. My 2002 Sierra had 2WD, Auto 4WD as well as HI and LOW ranges.

Maybe it is just new to the RAMs.