4x4 AUTO - When to use

[cnadm]

Hello there
I'm a new owner of a 1996 Explorer 4x4 XLT.

Question is...
When do I use the 4x4 AUTO function?

Soon will be going on at trip up to the mountains, and we'll be driving on roads covered with snow.

Would you recommend using 4x4 AUTO when driving on snow, even when driving at 55 mph?

Thanks!
Christian Nielsen

 

[SkanlaxJMO]

auto is good for light snow and rain...once you get back think about doing the brown wire mod(this gets you 4x4 hi which is way better in deeper snow that you dont need lo for).

 

[briwayjones]

Auto is good for situations where the road is about 50/50 clear/covered with snow. When there is a lot of the road that is clear but all of a sudden you'll come across large portions of the road that is still covered.

 

[black97mounty]

AWD for the win. No decisions, just grip and rip.

 

[Tilt168]

4wd for the win...AWD is 3wheel drive

 

[black97mounty]

4wd for the win...AWD is 3wheel drive

do explain. I'm new to the AWD world. I believe the AWD system is called torqge on demand or something of the sort.

Its kinda like a lmitied slip differential right?

I used to own a 92 explorer sport 4x4 for the winters but I think my 97 mountaineer AWD is far better in the snow...

 

[jp450]

He has a 96, arnt the selections, 2wd, auto, and 4wd? I dont recall and I have a 99.

 

[briwayjones]

'96s were 2WD, 4Auto, 4Low

 

[Tilt168]

do explain. I'm new to the AWD world. I believe the AWD system is called torqge on demand or something of the sort.

Its kinda like a lmitied slip differential right?

I used to own a 92 explorer sport 4x4 for the winters but I think my 97 mountaineer AWD is far better in the snow...

'96s were 2WD, 4Auto, 4Low

2nd gens are 4auto, 4high, 4low: 4auto is usually 2wdrear untill slippage is felt by the truck when it switches into 4high for a short period, 4high is just that 4wd in high gear, 4low is 4wd but with a lower gearing generating more torque.

AWD always supplies power to both differentials meanin when all 4wheels are in contact with the ground the rear 2 and (correct me if im wrong) the front left wheel have power

all of above changes when any wheel is off the ground or one wheel is in mud or water and the other is on hard ground, then having a locker or a limited slip will come into play....
hope this helps!

 

[briwayjones]

2nd gens are 4auto, 4high, 4low

I've owned a '96 and '00. Not all 2nd gens have been the same. The '95 and '96s were 2wd, 4auto, 4low. I believe starting with '97 or might have been '98 they changed it to Auto, 4high, 4low.

 

[SkanlaxJMO]

yes the 95 and the 96 are 2wd 4-auto and 4-lo the oly way that 4x4 would loose to awd whne in snow is if the 4x4 modle has opend diffy's...but think about the brown wire mod so you can have 2hi 2lo 4hi 4 lo and 4auto.

 

[Tilt168]

95 and 96 came with 2wd??? woah thats news.....

 

[Blee1099]

Yup 95-96 had 2wd and also vacuum disconnect front axles (pita cause they frequently fail).