I bought my 2009 dodge ram 1500 4x4 a few months ago for increased stability and traction in the winter (I live on the east coast of Canada)

As it was still summer I never had the opportunity to test out the 4WD.

I was looking at the **** today and it says "2WD" "4WD Lock" and "4WD Low"

Now, I know what 2WD and 4WD Low are, but whats 4WD lock?? if there is snow on the roads, can I use that?? or is it meant for something totally different??

 

It is pretty much what historically would be called 4wd HI (high range). Use it in any situation where you have reduced traction. Snow, etc. It probably has a speed limit you should stay under, but I can't think of it right now. DO NOT use it on dry pavement.

IF you had the 4wd AUTO on your dial, you can use that in any driving conditions.

 

You have a part-time transfer case if you do not have an option that says "4WD Auto" (or similar). That means "4WD Lock" is the only high range 4WD option you have. When you use it it is basically full time 4WD with both axles locked in. You can drive on slippery roads at highway speeds in this mode but you should avoid driving on dry roads. As I understand things, driving in a straight line on dry roads in this mode shouldn't really harm anything, but when you turn it will bind. I've used it for extended driving on wintry interstates with portions of black ice and dry spots intermixed.

Rob

 

I think you can drive at any speed in 4WD Lock.

 

I know you can if 4wd auto, but LOCK, not sure. I know my 2002 Sierra limited HI range 4wd to 100km/hr (60m/hr).

But my RAM, not sure.

 

I've driven down the interstate at 70+ in 4WD Lock. There might be a recommended top speed but there is no governed top speed, at least within legal speed limits.

Rob

 

Piccillo,

Four-Wheel Drive Lock Range locks the front and rear driveshafts together forcing the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. This range provides additional traction for loose, slippery road surfaces only. The Four-Wheel Drive Low Range does the same except it provides low speed four-wheel drive for additional traction and maximum pulling power for loose, slippery road surfaces only, you should not exceed 40 km/h (25mph) in four wheel drive low. This and more information can be found in the Owner's Manual page 330.

If you would like to download a PDF version of the Owner's Manual they can be found at:
www.dodge.ca
selecting "Owner" tab at the bottom of the web page
selecting "Owner's Manuals/User Guides/Warranty and Maintenance booklets/Radio User Guides"

Please PM me if you have any additional inquiries.

 

I was looking at the manual and it just confused me with its wording a little bit. my last truck just had a 4WD hi switch, I was hoping this would be the same general idea.

I drive in a small city that almost never seems to get plowed before work in the winter, so proper 4WD would be a nice feature.

Guess this will have to do, and ill just be carefull haha.

Thanks for the info guys!

 

As long as the road is slippery you're good to go with this 4WD mode. You'll feel the driveline binding up when turning on a dry road. You just want to avoid too much of that.

Rob

 

4wd lock basically locks all your tires into same rotational speed, if you try to turn more than 45 degrees you can feel it slow down because the fronts spin faster than the rear, and basically will destroy it if you're going too fast. Do NOT confuse this gear with 4wd high or auto or you will spend dearly on repairs.