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It's really amazing how "smart" these systems are.
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When we first began looking into the BS BL, I suspected the "GOAT modes" might be a marketing gimmick, because that is often the case with similar features in other vehicles.
I quickly found out they are definitely effective, as the guy in the video above says, starting at 12:25.
I agree that the system can, and typically should, be left in 'normal'. However, there are situations where there is certainly no downside to selecting the appropriate GOAT mode ahead of time. For example, driving on soft sand. The driver is aware that they are about to go from pavement to sand. They might as well switch to 'sand' mode ahead of time, rather than waiting for the computer to figure it out.
Is it absolutely necessary? Probably not, but there is no reason not to, and it could help.
That's just one example. There are plenty of others, mostly off-road.
For most drivers though (including my wife and I), those situations are rare, and the vast majority of the time normal mode should be fine.
I quickly found out they are definitely effective, as the guy in the video above says, starting at 12:25.
I agree that the system can, and typically should, be left in 'normal'. However, there are situations where there is certainly no downside to selecting the appropriate GOAT mode ahead of time. For example, driving on soft sand. The driver is aware that they are about to go from pavement to sand. They might as well switch to 'sand' mode ahead of time, rather than waiting for the computer to figure it out.
Is it absolutely necessary? Probably not, but there is no reason not to, and it could help.
That's just one example. There are plenty of others, mostly off-road.
For most drivers though (including my wife and I), those situations are rare, and the vast majority of the time normal mode should be fine.
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With the price of gas, I drive in ECO mode most of the time. Off road, gas mileage stinks. I do with the Sport had a bigger gas tank.
It is and the 4x4 crowd really overestimates how much better having a 4Hi is. Yes its nice to have but really an AWD system is better for most people and I bet you, most people who have a dedicated 4Hi don't really use it that often.
I remember a rental agency gave me a 4Runner and it had 4Hi and 4Lo but the 4Hi could only be activated in certain low slip situations and I thought to myself thats kind of useless in day to day life. Most people who buy cars want a set it and forget it system, which is of course why AWD has become so popular and rightfully so.
Btw, after driving that 4Runner for a week....I've really become a consistent hater of that car. The 4WD bound up even in a parking lot and had the usual 4Hi issues associated with it when I was finally able to engage it. Yes 4Hi is better off road and rock crawling but really, how often are people who buy these cars doing that?
In Denver anyway, the 4Runner has become just the big Toyota SUV that people buy and its just not that good of a car, especially for mall crawling and taking kids to soccer practice.
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Do you have your terms "4Hi" and "4Lo" reversed? On my 97 F250, I use 4Hi all the time and almost never use 4Lo unless really crawling slowly. Cheers!
No. Even on an old Silverado I had 4Hi was part time, same with the slow runner.
Obviously written by someone who doesn’t live near a beach! We don’t let most AWD vehicles, including Jeeps unless they are Trail Rated, on the sand.
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My brother emailed recently and said he had noticed there are a lot of vehicles that are definitely NOT "4WD" that have a 4WD emblem, or the "A" in AWD is is designed to look like it could be a "4". He sent a bunch of photos. I can only assume that's because 4WD is considered by some to be better/tougher/more 'macho', etc.
I agree that most people who have traditional 4WD -- transfer case, low range gearing, locking front hubs -- rarely use it. Of course there are exceptions -- people who live on farms and ranches for example -- but the majority of 4WD vehicle owners are driving on pavement and can only use 4WD when the roads are snow covered.
To be fair, there are 4WD systems with an 'auto' mode. They can be left engaged and function like AWD.
Our '97 RAV4 is sort of a hybrid. It's AWD, with a center diff and all 4 wheels getting torque all the time. The center diff can be locked, to make the system essentially 4WD-high range. Also, the rear diff is a Torsen. No traction control though.
It would really benefit from a low range, because it is pathetically under-powered -- about half the hp and torque of the BS BL. First gear is fairly low, but still way too high for some off-road situations. I hate the smell of clutch burning (it's still on the original one).
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I searched for info on the difference between 4HI and 4LO and found this tidbit:
WHEN SHOULD YOU USE 4HI AND 4LO?
In simple terms, when conditions are good, or when you’re driving on pavement at higher speeds, use 2Hi. When conditions are slippery – say deeper snow or mud – but you’re driving at typical road speeds, use 4Hi.
Need maximum traction and driving at low speeds? Go to 4Lo.
When you’re trying to move an unusually heavy load, climb a steep incline or get through tricky conditions like deep mud, 4Lo is the best choice. With the transfer case sending more torque to all four wheels, this setting will deliver the oomph needed to get you going. It’s unlikely this setting would ever be used at speeds above 35 mph.
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This is what I was referring to in my comment above. I should have been more clear on my "I use 4Hi all the time" in that I meant when I use 4wd on the truck (I have a manual transfer case with manual locking hubs). Cheers!
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Ahhh....memories of my Dad's Bronco II. Having to manually lock the front hubs when moving to 4WD. I also remember my Dad having to manually unlock and drive backwards a few feet to fully disengage the 4WD system. Not sure why this was needed, but I think it was a procedure outlined in the owner's manual.
How far things have come...
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