I was reecently driving on slippery roads during a heavy rain and decided to give the 4WD a try. It worked great and I felt much safer until I pulled into a parking lot. While trying to manuver into a tight corner the drivetrain suddenly thighted up. It was difficult to keep the truck moving foward, felt like the parking brake on. Pressing on the accelerator did not help. Easing off the steering wheel did. I tried the same manuver yesterday with the same results. This does not happen in 2WD. Any ideas? Am I screwed?

You are binding up your 4WD. Only use the 4WD on gravel, dirt, mud, snow, or ice. Wet pavement isn't usally slick enough. Remember, you have part-time 4WD NOT AWD! Part-time 4WD is not for pavement.

Dave

I have done the same thing when the roads seem really slick, but you have to understand, the drivetrain has no way of differentiating (sp?) between the front and rear so when you try to turn (espcially tight turns) your front wheels are trying to go a different speed from your rear wheels, but with 4wd engaged the drivetrain doesn't allow this so you get binding.

I would try to avoid using it in just bad rain unless you think its bad enough, but disengage it before any tight turns. It is possible to break things if you don't.

Richard

:confused: :confused: :confused:

You guys are putting it in 4wd in the RAIN on PAVEMENT?

Holy crap go take some driving lessons or get new tires or something. That's just freakin' sad man.

Must be running bald tyres......:D

If you MUST use four wheel drive on pavement the best bet is to make sure it is slippery enough to spin the wheels a bit. Gun it a little and let the wheels spin a tiny bit.


In all honesty you should NEVER use four wheel drive on pavement unless it is covered in a sheet of Ice, heavy snow, mud, snot or some other very slick substance. Rain doesnt count unless it is aboot half a foot deep at least and even then you want to be careful.
If you persist on using 4x4 on pavement then you should expect your drivetrain to last only a few years before major problems and failures occur.

If you feel that bad aboot traction take a long hard look at your tyres. That is where the difference can be made without damaging your drivetrain. :smoka:

Snot ?? how much snot do you guys in WA get ??
Over here in New England we don't seem to get too much thank God!
Overall, the comments on wet roads are quite correct, snow, mud, dirt only. I guess if you have never had a real 4x4 you would never know about the turning radii and how they get affected during turning. Also keep in mind along with the different tire speed between the front and the back wheels, you also get some fighting between the two front wheels because they are turing at a different radius thus your inside tire (inside of the turn) tends to drag the other front tire sideways. The inner wheel has a tigher radius that's why it does that. Usually the problem starts with really tight turns.
So either don't use the 4x4 in rain or if it makes you feel better makes smaller turns. For instance instead of a 3 point turn make a 5 point turn. I know it seems kinda dumb but that is how it is.

You wouldnt believe what Seattleites toss out the window....:bloated:



In conclusion: Pavement + Four Wheel Drive = VERY BAD + $$$

Better tires designed for rain are a good start, if u dont want to go that route,try sand bags or weights in the rear of the X. Used to have a F150 4x4 with a V8 and the rear tossed all over the road. I didnt want to use 4H and i had great tires so i used sandbags and it worked. I dont seem to have that prob in in my X because i live n a desert,but when in snow,i have no choice because of the 8 to 9% grades I have to climb to get to some of the ski resorts.

your xterra most likely came with an owner's manual. it describes certain situations that are ok for 4wd. and if that doesn't get your common sense kick-started, try doing a little research into a vehicle before you buy it.
i don't blame you for thinking 4wd is necesary for rain, you could just be very cautious or you had people in the car you wanted to keep safe. fine. but try to learn about your car BEFORE these mysterious "binds" happen, it'll keep your xterra in better condition and longer. as likely as 4wd will someday save your vehicle, it can also fuck it up :).

I guess I should have been more specific. I don't use 4wd frequently in rain. But there are a lot of crappy, oil leaking cars in Memphis. If its been a long time since it rained, the roads are actually quite slick. When I do use 4wd on wet pavement I make sure to take wide turns and disengage it before entering any parking lots.