Hey everyone! I had a general question about drivetrain mode. If you never use 4hi or 4lo could you only change 2 tires at a time without damaging the transfer case? As always thanks for the answers!
Yes. The only time you must change all 4 wheels at once is a computer controlled All Wheel Drive system. If it's a 4x4, it won't hurt anything. Those wheels are designed to slip in a low traction environment, such as going through dirt and mud. Don't use 4-wheel-drive on dry pavement (asphalt or concrete), if you do, you will overstress the transfer case, potentially leading to transfer case failure. If you leave it in 2-wheel-drive, there is nothing going through the transfer case. It helps if you had a specific vehicle in mind.
2010 Lexus LX and also 2019 v8 tundra
It depends what you're driving!
Please post your vehicle details. Every time. Thank you.
It was just a generalization but say on a 2010 Lexus LX.
you can't generalize. there are as many types of 4WD as there are flavors of ice cream at the parlor.
say on a 2010 Lexus LX.
Have you tried looking in the owner's manual. That kind of stuff is usually spelled out for you there.
From what I'm reading, the 3rd gen Lexus LX (J200) has a center Torsen differential. That would actually make it more of an AWD system, and I think that those do need to have the same tires on all four corners.
Guaranteed the Lexus is computerized and All-Wheel-Drive, NOT a 4x4. You likely MUST change all four tires at once.
unless it's equipped with additional "smartness", Torsen differentials can be fully mechanical and work amazingly well stand-alone with no additional help.
there are also several flavors of passive AWD , such as fluid couplings (like I have), which are fully self-contained and require zero electronics.
Usually Lexus has all of the latest "smartness", at the time they were built. They love to try to outwit the other guys. They're also rich men's toys, but they're much better made than Audi, BMW, Mercedes, etc. Lol. As you said, the owner's manual will tell all.
it's possible. I think some of the electronic systems are actually MORE tolerant of tires size differences than the mechanical ones are.