4×4 newbie question….
Question:
Blazers and Tahoes are different animals, and as such are set up differently in regards to the 4 wheel drive systems… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello all, I have just bought my first 4×4 – 1996 Chev Blazer LS. > I have but one question, can I drive in 4HI all the time ( dry pavement ) I > have checked the owners manual and cannot find anywhere that says that you > CAN or CANNOT. > Please help. (and no I have not tried it yet) > Thanks in advance, > Roman
Response:
The electronically controlled transfers are a little different than the conventional transfer. With a differential built into the transfer case it alleviates some of the drive train stress. While you may not get the catastrophic failure operating on dry or wet pavement in 4WD, you will experience premature component wear. As for you tires, you might as well take a grinder to them. Ask yourself this question: If it is OK to drive around in 4WD all the time, then why is there a switch?
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Blazers and Tahoes are different animals, and as such are set up differently > in regards to the 4 wheel drive systems… > Hello all, I have just bought my first 4×4 – 1996 Chev Blazer LS. > I have but one question, can I drive in 4HI all the time ( dry pavement ) > I > have checked the owners manual and cannot find anywhere that says that you > CAN or CANNOT. > Please help. (and no I have not tried it yet) > Thanks in advance, > Roman
Response:
If you have a 2000 Tahoe with the 4-wheel drive all the time option, you can. It uses the antilock brake system to reduce wheel rotation on slipping wheels, and has a transfer case that can automatically engage the front axles when slippage is detected. I think it reduces fuel economy, though. Maybe off topic for this thread, but a friend of mine has a ‘96 Jimmy with the all wheel drive option. The CV (?) joint failed and because it is part of the front drive shaft, the dealer wanted about $1,200 to replace it. He wound up having the front drive system disconnected instead. Does anyone know if the full size AWD system is similar? -Allan
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My Chevy Tahoe user’s manual says i can drive anytime in 4-wheel HI > without damage to the vehicle. > Before you buy.
Response:
Since when is a CV joint part of the front Drive Shaft????
— For NG please reply to group only.
High Sierra
89 S15 Sierra Classic 4X4 4.3L Short Box
91 Dodge Shadow 2.5L 5 Speed
94 Grand Caravan 3.3L
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > If you >SNIP<<
> Maybe off topic for this thread, but a friend of mine has a ‘96 Jimmy with
> the all wheel drive option. The CV (?) joint failed and because it is part
> of the front drive shaft, the dealer wanted about $1,200 to replace it. He
> wound up having the front drive system disconnected instead. Does anyone
> know if the full size AWD system is similar?
> -Allan
Response:
It is on the AWD Bravadas, Jimmies and maybe Blazers. It’s also on the front axleshafts…. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Since when is a CV joint part of the front Drive Shaft???? > — > For NG please reply to group only. > High Sierra > 89 S15 Sierra Classic 4X4 4.3L Short Box > 91 Dodge Shadow 2.5L 5 Speed > 94 Grand Caravan 3.3L > If you >>SNIP<< >> Maybe off topic for this thread, but a friend of mine has a ‘96 Jimmy with > the all wheel drive option. The CV (?) joint failed and because it is part > of the front drive shaft, the dealer wanted about $1,200 to replace it. He > wound up having the front drive system disconnected instead. Does anyone > know if the full size AWD system is similar? > -Allan
Response:
If you can do 60 mph YOU DONT NEED FOUR WHEEL DRIVE – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Well it’s just that this guy at work owns a Tacoma and he drives in 4 wheel > in heavy rain storms for better traction. > I only wanted to know if I decided to do the same in a wet pavement > scenario, could I do damage? > I know I’m gonna just hate myself for asking this one,… why would you > want > to drive around in 4HI on dry pavement? > > Hello all, I have just bought my first 4×4 – 1996 Chev Blazer LS. > > I have but one question, can I drive in 4HI all the time ( dry > pavement ) > I > > have checked the owners manual and cannot find anywhere that says that > you > > CAN or CANNOT. > > Please help. (and no I have not tried it yet) > > Thanks in advance, > > Roman
Response:
>> > > Hello all, I have just bought my first 4×4 – 1996 Chev Blazer LS. > > > I have but one question, can I drive in 4HI all the time ( dry > pavement ) > > I > > > have checked the owners manual and cannot find anywhere that says that > you > > > CAN or CANNOT. > > > Please help. (and no I have not tried it yet)
Roman, no, you should not be driving in 4 wheel on dry pavement, in fact, I wouldn’t do it on wet pavement. You would probably be OK til the first time you try to make a sharp turn, then the rear is going to want to keep going straight while the front is trying to pull to one side. You can get locked up pretty bad and possibly damage your vehicle. I’m surprised your owners manual does not caution you against this. ~ Paul
Response:
read your manual again bud i have a 86 gmc full size jimmy and you can bet your but it says not to drive in 4 wheel drive unless offroad or in snow so i know yours has it in there too — Click here for Free Video!! http://www.gohip.com/free_video/ >> > > Hello all, I have just bought my first 4×4 – 1996 Chev Blazer LS. >> > > I have but one question, can I drive in 4HI all the time ( dry >> pavement ) >> > I >> > > have checked the owners manual and cannot find anywhere that says that >> you >> > > CAN or CANNOT. >> > > >> > > Please help. (and no I have not tried it yet) >> > > Roman, no, you should not be driving in 4 wheel on dry pavement, in fact, I wouldn’t do it on wet pavement. You would probably be OK til the first time you try to make a sharp turn, then the rear is going to want to keep going straight while the front is trying to pull to one side. You can get locked up pretty bad and possibly damage your vehicle. I’m surprised your owners manual does not caution you against this. ~ Paul
Response:
> Well it’s just that this guy at work owns a Tacoma and he drives in 4 wheel > in heavy rain storms for better traction.
This is called "death waiting to happen." I did that once in the rain, when I was less enlightened (and Chuck, if you’re out there, e-slap me upside the head one more time for thinking this dumb 
As others have said, you can — and will hydroplane — no matter how many of your tiers-which-are-floating-on-water are driven. Doesn’t matter if there’s eight, you’re still floating. With no directional control and with 60 or 80 miles an hour of momentum behind your 4000-6000 pounds of truck. I nearly bounced my Blazer off a semi, not an argument even my Blazer, old and steel though it is, would have won. If the weather is bad, slow down. 2WD, 4WD, or walking in your shoes. Play with the 4WD options when you’re driving slow, or not moving. The highway is not a place to play — A — his ‘93 300ZX "Ishara" Alpine 1505/1214, JL Audio Evo XR/VR hers ’00 Rodeo LSE 4WD "Ramoth" and ‘92 Saturn SL2 "Sabrina" truck ’74 K5 Blazer "Tank Grrl" 100% transistor-free and proud projects ‘65 VW Type III Notchback and a ‘77 Chalet sans Blazer
Response:
My Chevy Tahoe user’s manual says i can drive anytime in 4-wheel HI without damage to the vehicle. Before you buy.
Response:
DW is dead on. Putting your truck in 4 wheel drive will give you traction in snow and mud, but not rain, as you are fighting a different problem. And if it did work, then it would only be destroying parts, as driving in 4 wheel drive on pavement where you have traction is very hard on parts. — Big Chris mrclm at yahoo.com If God is good, and God gives us life, then life must be good even if we don’t particularly like it. -Rich Mullins
| If that guy at work is losing that much traction in heavy rain, one of two | things are occurring. He’s either got piss-poor tires, or he’s trying to | drive at the same high speeds as he does when the roads are dry. 4WD will | hydroplane at the same speed as 2WD. He’s only fooling himself and putting | useless wear and tear on the drive train, and his tires. 4WD is not designed | to circumvent the weather, rather it allows you to operate safely, with | reasonable caution, when operating conditions are less than favorable. | | > Well it’s just that this guy at work owns a Tacoma and he drives in 4 | wheel | > in heavy rain storms for better traction. | > I only wanted to know if I decided to do the same in a wet pavement | > scenario, could I do damage? | > | > | > > I know I’m gonna just hate myself for asking this one,… why would you | > want | > > to drive around in 4HI on dry pavement? | > > | > > > Hello all, I have just bought my first 4×4 – 1996 Chev Blazer LS. | > > > I have but one question, can I drive in 4HI all the time ( dry | > pavement ) | > > I | > > > have checked the owners manual and cannot find anywhere that says that | > you | > > > CAN or CANNOT. | > > > | > > > Please help. (and no I have not tried it yet) | > > > | > > > Thanks in advance, | > > > Roman | > > > | > > > | > > | > > | > | > | |
Response:
Well put, while in 4 wheel drive speed must be reduced! This is almost always overlooked. Grease – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Well it’s just that this guy at work owns a Tacoma and he drives in 4 wheel > in heavy rain storms for better traction. > This is called "death waiting to happen." > I did that once in the rain, when I was less enlightened (and Chuck, if you’re > out there, e-slap me upside the head one more time for thinking this dumb > As others have said, you can — and will hydroplane — no matter how many of > your tiers-which-are-floating-on-water are driven. Doesn’t matter if there’s > eight, you’re still floating. With no directional control and with 60 or 80 > miles an hour of momentum behind your 4000-6000 pounds of truck. > I nearly bounced my Blazer off a semi, not an argument even my Blazer, old and > steel though it is, would have won. > If the weather is bad, slow down. 2WD, 4WD, or walking in your shoes. > Play with the 4WD options when you’re driving slow, or not moving. The highway > is not a place to play > — A > — > his ‘93 300ZX "Ishara" Alpine 1505/1214, JL Audio Evo XR/VR > hers ’00 Rodeo LSE 4WD "Ramoth" and ‘92 Saturn SL2 "Sabrina" > truck ’74 K5 Blazer "Tank Grrl" 100% transistor-free and proud > projects ‘65 VW Type III Notchback and a ‘77 Chalet sans Blazer
Response:
I remember a scientific study, conducted back in the ’60’s that dealt with hydroplaning of automobiles. The phenomena was that they could hydroplane "any" wheeled vehicle at a speeds between 59 and 60 mph, and the proved that the only way to bring the tires "off from on top of the water" was to hit dry pavement or bring the vehicle to a stop. Kind of scary, huh? The scientists attributed the phenom to the surface tension of H20. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Well it’s just that this guy at work owns a Tacoma and he drives in 4 wheel > in heavy rain storms for better traction. > This is called "death waiting to happen." > I did that once in the rain, when I was less enlightened (and Chuck, if you’re > out there, e-slap me upside the head one more time for thinking this dumb > As others have said, you can — and will hydroplane — no matter how many of > your tiers-which-are-floating-on-water are driven. Doesn’t matter if there’s > eight, you’re still floating. With no directional control and with 60 or 80 > miles an hour of momentum behind your 4000-6000 pounds of truck. > I nearly bounced my Blazer off a semi, not an argument even my Blazer, old and > steel though it is, would have won. > If the weather is bad, slow down. 2WD, 4WD, or walking in your shoes. > Play with the 4WD options when you’re driving slow, or not moving. The highway > is not a place to play > — A > — > his ‘93 300ZX "Ishara" Alpine 1505/1214, JL Audio Evo XR/VR > hers ’00 Rodeo LSE 4WD "Ramoth" and ‘92 Saturn SL2 "Sabrina" > truck ’74 K5 Blazer "Tank Grrl" 100% transistor-free and proud > projects ‘65 VW Type III Notchback and a ‘77 Chalet sans Blazer
Response:
I have, in fact, seen a car hydroplane at 25 to 30 mph (or less) as well…..it is not just the speed that causes the actual phenomenon of hydroplaning, but the amount of water on the surface combined with the mass of the vehicle as well as the velocity….I know there’s an equation somewhere for it, but I have not placed it in my noggin……
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I remember a scientific study, conducted back in the ’60’s that dealt with > hydroplaning of automobiles. The phenomena was that they could hydroplane > "any" wheeled vehicle at a speeds between 59 and 60 mph, and the proved > that the only way to bring the tires "off from on top of the water" was to > hit dry pavement or bring the vehicle to a stop. Kind of scary, huh? The > scientists attributed the phenom to the surface tension of H20. > > Well it’s just that this guy at work owns a Tacoma and he drives in 4 > wheel > > in heavy rain storms for better traction. > This is called "death waiting to happen." > I did that once in the rain, when I was less enlightened (and Chuck, if > you’re > out there, e-slap me upside the head one more time for thinking this dumb > > As others have said, you can — and will hydroplane — no matter how many > of > your tiers-which-are-floating-on-water are driven. Doesn’t matter if > there’s > eight, you’re still floating. With no directional control and with 60 or > 80 > miles an hour of momentum behind your 4000-6000 pounds of truck. > I nearly bounced my Blazer off a semi, not an argument even my Blazer, old > and > steel though it is, would have won. > If the weather is bad, slow down. 2WD, 4WD, or walking in your shoes. > Play with the 4WD options when you’re driving slow, or not moving. The > highway > is not a place to play > — A > — > his ‘93 300ZX "Ishara" Alpine 1505/1214, JL Audio Evo XR/VR > hers ’00 Rodeo LSE 4WD "Ramoth" and ‘92 Saturn SL2 "Sabrina" > truck ’74 K5 Blazer "Tank Grrl" 100% transistor-free and proud > projects ‘65 VW Type III Notchback and a ‘77 Chalet sans Blazer
Response:
> Hello all, I have just bought my first 4×4 – 1996 Chev Blazer LS. > I have but one question, can I drive in 4HI all the time ( dry pavement ) I > have checked the owners manual and cannot find anywhere that says that you > CAN or CANNOT.
NO! (Well actually you can if you want cause major damage.) Charles
Response:
Hello all, I have just bought my first 4×4 – 1996 Chev Blazer LS. I have but one question, can I drive in 4HI all the time ( dry pavement ) I have checked the owners manual and cannot find anywhere that says that you CAN or CANNOT. Please help. (and no I have not tried it yet) Thanks in advance, Roman
Response:
I know I’m gonna just hate myself for asking this one,… why would you want to drive around in 4HI on dry pavement? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello all, I have just bought my first 4×4 – 1996 Chev Blazer LS. > I have but one question, can I drive in 4HI all the time ( dry pavement ) I > have checked the owners manual and cannot find anywhere that says that you > CAN or CANNOT. > Please help. (and no I have not tried it yet) > Thanks in advance, > Roman
Response:
Well it’s just that this guy at work owns a Tacoma and he drives in 4 wheel in heavy rain storms for better traction. I only wanted to know if I decided to do the same in a wet pavement scenario, could I do damage?
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I know I’m gonna just hate myself for asking this one,… why would you want > to drive around in 4HI on dry pavement? > Hello all, I have just bought my first 4×4 – 1996 Chev Blazer LS. > I have but one question, can I drive in 4HI all the time ( dry pavement ) > I > have checked the owners manual and cannot find anywhere that says that you > CAN or CANNOT. > Please help. (and no I have not tried it yet) > Thanks in advance, > Roman
Response:
If that guy at work is losing that much traction in heavy rain, one of two things are occurring. He’s either got piss-poor tires, or he’s trying to drive at the same high speeds as he does when the roads are dry. 4WD will hydroplane at the same speed as 2WD. He’s only fooling himself and putting useless wear and tear on the drive train, and his tires. 4WD is not designed to circumvent the weather, rather it allows you to operate safely, with reasonable caution, when operating conditions are less than favorable. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Well it’s just that this guy at work owns a Tacoma and he drives in 4 wheel > in heavy rain storms for better traction. > I only wanted to know if I decided to do the same in a wet pavement > scenario, could I do damage? > I know I’m gonna just hate myself for asking this one,… why would you > want > to drive around in 4HI on dry pavement? > > Hello all, I have just bought my first 4×4 – 1996 Chev Blazer LS. > > I have but one question, can I drive in 4HI all the time ( dry > pavement ) > I > > have checked the owners manual and cannot find anywhere that says that > you > > CAN or CANNOT. > > Please help. (and no I have not tried it yet) > > Thanks in advance, > > Roman
Response:
Having decent tires is going to make all the difference. The only reason for hydroplaning of a vehicle in rain is due to worn down tires and going too fast, regardless of 2wd or 4wd. I drive in extreme conditions in winter, and will only use tires designed for those conditions. If it rains alot where you are, you’d be better of going with tires designed for wet conditions. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Well it’s just that this guy at work owns a Tacoma and he drives in 4 wheel > in heavy rain storms for better traction. > I only wanted to know if I decided to do the same in a wet pavement > scenario, could I do damage? > I know I’m gonna just hate myself for asking this one,… why would you > want > to drive around in 4HI on dry pavement? > > Hello all, I have just bought my first 4×4 – 1996 Chev Blazer LS. > > I have but one question, can I drive in 4HI all the time ( dry > pavement ) > I > > have checked the owners manual and cannot find anywhere that says that > you > > CAN or CANNOT. > > Please help. (and no I have not tried it yet) > > Thanks in advance, > > Roman
