Thanks for the lesson. I've just got this 2005 F-150 and wanted to be sure I understood the 4x4 operation. My brother-in-law never had it repaired for the longest time and now that it is I don't want to risk being naive about it.
Thank you. My new 2019 I used 4H for the first time in snow/ice combination. It sounds like it’s grinding or I have something stuck holding back the wheels. There is nothing under the truck. It’s all clear.
I’m guessing this is when you were turning the truck, if so its normal as the rear wheels are turning at the same rate which makes them skip as you turn and one wheel cuts a shorter radius turn than the other. It should only be the wheels skipping if there is grinding of metal on metal then I’d have that checked out.
Thank you for your great video explaining Ford four-wheel drive modes. We were recently driving our 2020 Ford F150 XL over a mountain pass and unexpectedly ran into snow (first time since owning the vehicle). We were in 2H and were too inexperienced in that type of situation to know what to do other than to slow down. We still had slippage and had cars behind and in front of us. It was dark and there was no safe place to pull over for several miles. On your video you said do not shift into 4H if slipping. Since our 2020 XT does not have 4A what would be best to do driving in that situation? If 4A were present, could one shift from 2H to 4A while there is slippage?
I don’t remember exactly what I said in the video, but if you are driving under 45-50 MPH you can switch into 4H which in snow would be better than just 2H. I’m sorry if I wasn’t clear about that.
It sounded to me like he was saying if you're actively slipping in that moment don't change modes, but as soon as your rear wheels have traction for a second, then engage the new mode...
So I got stuck today. And the guy was pulling me out pulled from my hitch. Truck was in neutral. I didn’t realize I had the 4H setting selected. So the truck was being pulled backwards in neutral in 4H. Was only for 3-5 mins maybe 5mph Would that mess up anything?
FYI 4A is not AWD in terms of detecting slippage. 4A uses clutch packs to disengage 4WD when you turn the wheel or when highway driving is detected. There is no Haldex or Torsen AWD system in the Ford F-150.
I have a message when I switch 4l to 4h or 2h « SHIFT DELAYED PULL FORWARD » and when I advance I hear a hard grinding noise from the transmission , it’s Normal ? Thanks mate
Does the computer stop you from switching to 4H when going faster than 55? Also, does the computer automatically disengage it if you go faster than 55? I had a situation on WI roads the other day where I needed to be going faster than 55 on interstate 90 but would like to use 4H to keep all wheels engaged as I hit random patches of ice mixtures. Is that not possible? Why would you need 4H if 4A can automatically supply power when needed? So many questions. :)
I think it would be okay around 65 MPH. I don’t think the system would disengage 4H if you went faster, just wouldn’t engage to begin with. The 4A may only shift in pristine conditions, and may rely on electronic torque adjustments with braking before actually engaging 4H. I haven’t been in situations over 65 MPH where I needed 4WD, sorry 😬
Have service check it out. Might be some wires chewed out by some mice making a cozy home. This happened to my truck. Luckily it cost me no more than a couple hundred dollars to fix.
Hey quick question. I got a 2018 model recently and when i shift to 4H and turning the Steering wheel almost all the way around its like the Tires are rubbing on the ground. And the axles are quiet loud. I know its normal but isnt it bad for all the components ?and does it really to be that "loud" ? Even while driving there is a bass sound.
It really depends on the terrain you are driving on. I’m not sure if the “loud” you are hearing is normal or not. Some noise is expected with 4x4 engaged and in a tight turn. You really hear it in 4Low. Some binding is expected.
On gravel or sand it’s not as bad. I was basically doing that for demonstration. I wouldn’t usually engage on that surface unless I was testing the 4WD system.
I have a 2016 F150 lariat FX 4 and when I drive in 4H, approximately 30 miles an hour to 40 mph, I hear a very slight hum from my drive train. It’s almost undetectable but I do hear it. I don’t feel any grinding I don’t feel any lurching or anything like that but just this slight hum until I go into 2H. Is this normal? I did have a problem, since fixed, with the vacuum line supplying the front hubs going bad. It’s a common problem so I swapped it out (15.00) and it fixed the problem of the hub trying to engage at 60 or 70 miles an hour when in 2H.
It's like @Delphi stated, 4A does not operate like an AWD system and 4L or 4H especially doesn't. The way I understand 4A is the front hubs engage but the transfer case does not unless there is a rear wheel losing traction. When a rear wheel loses traction, sensors that monitor this send a signal to clutches in the transfer case to couple the front drive shaft with the rear thus driving the front wheels only when needed. I know you didn't mention 4L or 4H but this is what I'm leading up to. In 4L or 4H the transfer case couples the front and rear drive shafts until you turn the selector to 2H. There is no automatic disengagement correlating with traction or wheel slippage. Furthermore there is no differential mechanism in the transfer case or transmission to account for the rear drive shaft turning a different rpm than the front when steering right or left while in 4L or 4H.. That's where it gets tricky and can cause damage to the transfer case, transmission or the hubs. This is why: On a paved road or on a surface where there is good traction if you are in 4L or 4H and you turn a corner, one of the rear wheels will turn faster than the other. Example, turning left your right rear wheel will turn a little faster, turning right the left rear wheel with turn faster which through the rear differential will change the ratio of the rear drive shaft and it's rpm will differ from the rpm of the front drive shaft and that creates gears binding in the transfer case putting stress on the drive train. Differentiation in the rear axle in 2WD doesn't affect anything because the transfer case is out of the equation.That being said, I don't know what kind of tires you have but street tires will let you get away with more than tires with aggressive tread or oversized tires. Driving in a straight line in 4L or 4H on a paved or unslippery surface doesn't create transfer case gear binding but when you turn and the differentiation of wheel speed occurs in the rear, the drive shaft speeds don't match and this causes binding. Now, the term AWD use to throw me a little when they first started getting more popular. These vehicles are driven by all wheels all the time and some of them actually have the capability to be switched from low to high but 2WD is not an option, at least I don't think so. If there is now days, I stand corrected. Anyway they actually have a differential mechanism in the transmission that can compensate for the difference in rear and front axle speeds along with a differential rear axle so the axle wont break or be under stress during steering right or left. I hope this makes sense and I don't mean to insult any ones intelligence. Just FYI, when you put these vehicles in 4L, it's a good idea after you select 4L in neutral, put it in reverse and roll not even an inch and then put it in drive and roll forward. Reason being unless they have perfected them, the hub splines some times don't line up to full engagement. If the rear wheels are spinning and engagement finally takes place you ain't gonna like it. Sounds like some one hit the front end with a sledge hammer. Don't know, maybe they have fixed it by now.Also in 4L don't nail the accelerator because in low range if the transmission shifts if feels like a shift kit X 10 and is rough on the universals and drive shaft. I usually just use 1st gear. In later years there is throttle compensation to lessen the acceleration reaction through the computer but it only does so much. I've have 4WD vehicles most of my life but 90 per cent of them were manuals not automatic's. I learned this the hard way manuals basically went away. I just see this subject brought up a lot and I've always wanted to explain it, or try to lol. Thanks for your time if you read this long winded response.
You can drive in 4A, but it would mostly be for heavy rain or snow situations that you don’t want to have to engage yourself. Also, I’m a little old fashioned and it’s hard for me to let the computer handle it all.
Thanks for the lesson. I've just got this 2005 F-150 and wanted to be sure I understood the 4x4 operation. My brother-in-law never had it repaired for the longest time and now that it is I don't want to risk being naive about it.
Thanks for the the detailed explanation. I now understand with clarity the purpose of each mode for my 2019 F-150 Limited.
I’m glad it helped!
You explained it better than my salesman did.
Thank you for your video. All the other videos stop after neutral placement in 4L; however, your video is very clear on what to do next.
You’re welcome!
Great video. First time owning a real truck so I was not sure how to use these settings. Thank you.
Thank you for the detailed info, this really helps.
You’re welcome!
Thank you Jonathan ~ from Roatán Honduras!!
*I bought a truck here, never having a 4WD since 2002.
Great info.
Your Welcome! I’m glad it helped
Very informative video. Answered any question I was having. Thanks!
Very good video just got an f150 so this helped a lot
Thank you helpful tips I just bought an F-150 2016 I would love it👍
Congratulations!
Thank you. My new 2019 I used 4H for the first time in snow/ice combination. It sounds like it’s grinding or I have something stuck holding back the wheels. There is nothing under the truck. It’s all clear.
Happened to me too, I just pulled over, re-engaged 4h, then disengaged 4h all while in Neutral...made me feel nervous about my truck
I’m guessing this is when you were turning the truck, if so its normal as the rear wheels are turning at the same rate which makes them skip as you turn and one wheel cuts a shorter radius turn than the other. It should only be the wheels skipping if there is grinding of metal on metal then I’d have that checked out.
It’s the IWE
Thanks for this video. Question do you need to stop and put the truck back into neutral, if you’re switching OUT of the 4L position.
Yes. It’s recommended to be at 3 MPH or less and in Neutral to switch in or out.
Thanks Sir
Does it matter what speed you're going when you engage 4A ?
Thank you for your great video explaining Ford four-wheel drive modes.
We were recently driving our 2020 Ford F150 XL over a mountain pass and unexpectedly ran into snow (first time since owning the vehicle). We were in 2H and were too inexperienced in that type of situation to know what to do other than to slow down. We still had slippage and had cars behind and in front of us. It was dark and there was no safe place to pull over for several miles.
On your video you said do not shift into 4H if slipping. Since our 2020 XT does not have 4A what would be best to do driving in that situation?
If 4A were present, could one shift from 2H to 4A while there is slippage?
I don’t remember exactly what I said in the video, but if you are driving under 45-50 MPH you can switch into 4H which in snow would be better than just 2H. I’m sorry if I wasn’t clear about that.
@@JSS Thanks so much for the reply.
It sounded to me like he was saying if you're actively slipping in that moment don't change modes, but as soon as your rear wheels have traction for a second, then engage the new mode...
Yep that part messed me up too
What happens when you pull out the drive selector switch? You didn’t mention that.
What about pulling the knob out for locking dif ?
I have a 2022 Ford f150 my question is do I need to run it in 4-wheel drive like once a month?
Once a month is not necessary, but I would engage it once or twice a year, if not using it regularly.
Okay so even on XLT i can enable 4WD while moving maybe 10 MPH thats all I was trying to find out.
So I got stuck today. And the guy was pulling me out pulled from my hitch.
Truck was in neutral.
I didn’t realize I had the 4H setting selected.
So the truck was being pulled backwards in neutral in 4H.
Was only for 3-5 mins maybe 5mph
Would that mess up anything?
FYI 4A is not AWD in terms of detecting slippage. 4A uses clutch packs to disengage 4WD when you turn the wheel or when highway driving is detected. There is no Haldex or Torsen AWD system in the Ford F-150.
Thank you
I have a message when I switch 4l to 4h or 2h « SHIFT DELAYED PULL FORWARD » and when I advance I hear a hard grinding noise from the transmission , it’s Normal ?
Thanks mate
Yes the grinding noise is the front axle disengaging. It can require movement of the wheels/axle to do that which is why it asked you to pull foward.
I usually engage/disengage 4L at a 2-3 mph drift in neutral, it just helps the gears mesh a little better. The grinding is normal for 4L
Does the computer stop you from switching to 4H when going faster than 55? Also, does the computer automatically disengage it if you go faster than 55? I had a situation on WI roads the other day where I needed to be going faster than 55 on interstate 90 but would like to use 4H to keep all wheels engaged as I hit random patches of ice mixtures. Is that not possible? Why would you need 4H if 4A can automatically supply power when needed? So many questions. :)
I think it would be okay around 65 MPH. I don’t think the system would disengage 4H if you went faster, just wouldn’t engage to begin with. The 4A may only shift in pristine conditions, and may rely on electronic torque adjustments with braking before actually engaging 4H. I haven’t been in situations over 65 MPH where I needed 4WD, sorry 😬
Thank You so VERY MUCH
How about disengaging from 4H back to 2H? Do you need to place it in neutral?
No, neutral is only required to go into low (4L)
Do I have to be in park to engage 4h?
No you can engage at normal driving speeds up to 45-55 mph.
@@JSS thank you
What drive mode do you use the most: 2H or 4A?
I use 2H because I dont have either 4l or 4h lol
I use 2H for my normal drive mode.
Thanks!!!
You’re welcome!
I have a 2020 F150 lariat Fx4 and I'm constantly getting 4x4 temporarily disabled. Any addvice?
Is it intermittent while in RWD or while engaged in 4WD?
Have service check it out. Might be some wires chewed out by some mice making a cozy home. This happened to my truck. Luckily it cost me no more than a couple hundred dollars to fix.
Hey quick question. I got a 2018 model recently and when i shift to 4H and turning the Steering wheel almost all the way around its like the Tires are rubbing on the ground.
And the axles are quiet loud.
I know its normal but isnt it bad for all the components ?and does it really to be that "loud" ? Even while driving there is a bass sound.
It really depends on the terrain you are driving on. I’m not sure if the “loud” you are hearing is normal or not. Some noise is expected with 4x4 engaged and in a tight turn. You really hear it in 4Low. Some binding is expected.
So can I engage 4H while in park ?
Yes
pull the selector out and you will lock your rear end diff also
Awesome!
On my 2020 STX, the selector doesn't pull out. The rear locks by just shifting to 4lo.. I didn't know that until I purchased the truck..
So basically during inclement weather you’re safe at 4a for preventative measures.
Yes, the system will control the traction needs.
Why is it bad to drive your truck in 4auto on dry pavement for long periods of times? I have a 2013 f1-50.
It’s safe to drive on dry surface. I guess I’m just old school.
You are turning sharply in 4wd on dry ground. I thought that was bad for your transfer case and it would bind up your front end.
On gravel or sand it’s not as bad. I was basically doing that for demonstration. I wouldn’t usually engage on that surface unless I was testing the 4WD system.
Do you have to put the truck on neutral when you put it to 4A?
You don’t have to.
Can I apply 4H while moving with the stx model as well? 2019 2.5 e/boost 10 speed
Yes up to the recommended speed you’re good.
@@JSS Thanks!
I have a 2016 F150 lariat FX 4 and when I drive in 4H, approximately 30 miles an hour to 40 mph, I hear a very slight hum from my drive train. It’s almost undetectable but I do hear it. I don’t feel any grinding I don’t feel any lurching or anything like that but just this slight hum until I go into 2H. Is this normal?
I did have a problem, since fixed, with the vacuum line supplying the front hubs going bad. It’s a common problem so I swapped it out (15.00) and it fixed the problem of the hub trying to engage at 60 or 70 miles an hour when in 2H.
It's like @Delphi stated, 4A does not operate like an AWD system and 4L or 4H especially doesn't. The way I understand 4A is the front hubs engage but the transfer case does not unless there is a rear wheel losing traction. When a rear wheel loses traction, sensors that monitor this send a signal to clutches in the transfer case to couple the front drive shaft with the rear thus driving the front wheels only when needed. I know you didn't mention 4L or 4H but this is what
I'm leading up to. In 4L or 4H the transfer case couples the front and rear drive shafts until you turn the selector to 2H. There is no automatic disengagement correlating with traction or wheel slippage. Furthermore there is no differential mechanism in the transfer case or transmission to account for the rear drive shaft turning a different rpm than the front when steering right or left while in 4L or 4H.. That's where it gets tricky and can cause damage to the transfer case, transmission or the hubs. This is why: On a paved road or on a surface where there is good traction if you are in 4L or 4H and you turn a corner, one of the rear wheels will turn faster than the other. Example, turning left your right rear wheel will turn a little faster, turning right the left rear wheel with turn faster which through the rear differential will change the ratio of the rear drive shaft and it's rpm will differ from the rpm of the front drive shaft and that creates gears binding in the transfer case putting stress on the drive train. Differentiation in the rear axle in 2WD doesn't affect anything because the transfer case is out of the equation.That being said, I don't know what kind of tires you have but street tires will let you get away with more than tires with aggressive tread or oversized tires. Driving in a straight line in 4L or 4H on a paved or unslippery surface doesn't create transfer case gear binding but when you turn and the differentiation of wheel speed occurs in the rear, the drive shaft speeds don't match and this causes binding. Now, the term AWD use to throw me a little when they first started getting more popular. These vehicles are driven by all wheels all the time and some of them actually have the capability to be switched from low to high but 2WD is not an option, at least I don't think so. If there is now days, I stand corrected. Anyway they actually have a differential mechanism in the transmission that can compensate for the difference in rear and front axle speeds along with a differential rear axle so the axle wont break or be under stress during steering right or left. I hope this makes sense and I don't mean to insult any ones intelligence. Just FYI, when you put these vehicles in 4L, it's a good idea after you select 4L in neutral, put it in reverse and roll not even an inch and then put it in drive and roll forward. Reason being unless they have perfected them, the hub splines some times don't line up to full engagement. If the rear wheels are spinning and engagement finally takes place you ain't gonna like it. Sounds like some one hit the front end with a sledge hammer. Don't know, maybe they have fixed it by now.Also in 4L don't nail the accelerator because in low range if the transmission shifts if feels like a shift kit X 10 and is rough on the universals and drive shaft. I usually just use 1st gear. In later years there is throttle compensation to lessen the acceleration reaction through the computer but it only does so much. I've have 4WD vehicles most of my life but 90 per cent of them were manuals not automatic's. I learned this the hard way manuals basically went away. I just see this subject brought up a lot and I've always wanted to explain it, or try to lol. Thanks for your time if you read this long winded response.
Why doesn't this truck jerk when you make a turn with 4x4 on?
4h to be specific. My 2019 stx jerks when making a sharp turn on 4h. It does not have 4a
at what speed do you recommend using the 4L? thanks for the video
It’s for low speeds. Basically to get unstuck, then can switch back to High for higher speeds.
Why just not always in 4A?
You can drive in 4A, but it would mostly be for heavy rain or snow situations that you don’t want to have to engage yourself. Also, I’m a little old fashioned and it’s hard for me to let the computer handle it all.
Not all f 150 have a 4a. Some is 4h only
So you can go into 4wh from 2wh on the go?
Yes, on the fly up to 50-55 MPH. Check you owners manual or visor info for exact speed.
@@JSS Do you have to take your foot off the gas when you engage it?
Had to play this at 2x and it still seemed slow paced. 4 Low is also for pulling, which wasn't mentioned.
4A is not exclusive to the Raptor.
I am surprised they have that option
@@JSS 4A has been around for a long time in the Ford world. My 06' Expedition even had it.
If at the track, Is it safe to launch the truck in 4H and shift into 2H on the fly shortly after launching?
@@masonswildadventures yeah just switch before you hit 50 mph and you're fine.