Precautions when driving a four-wheel drive vehicle
Always fasten your seat belt.
Do not operate the vehicle in severe off-road conditions for which the vehicle was not designed, or if the driver's qualifications do not meet these conditions.
In strong crosswinds, drive slowly. The vehicle has a high center of gravity and its driving stability is highly dependent on the cross wind. Low speed provides better vehicle control.
Check the condition of the brake system after driving on wet and slippery surfaces. Press the brake pedal several times while driving at low speed until you feel the return of the braking force.
Prolonged movement in deep water is not allowed.
Braking distance of vehicles with permanent all-wheel drive (4WD) not much different from the braking distance of front-wheel drive cars (2WD). When driving on a snowy or muddy road, make sure there is sufficient distance between you and the vehicle in front.
Since the torque is constantly transmitted to all 4 wheels, the efficiency of the four-wheel drive (4WD) depends a lot on the condition of the tires. All tires must be the same size and type.
If you need to replace at least one tire or wheel, replace all the others.
Regularly change the wheels and check the pressure in them.
All wheel drive vehicle (4WD) cannot be towed by a conventional tractor. If towing is necessary, all 4 wheels of the car should not touch the ground, that is, a special tow truck is used.
When towing a four-wheel drive vehicle with two wheels touching the ground, the four-wheel drive system (4WD) will be damaged.
In case of emergency, if the car is towed with all wheels rolling on the ground, then it should only move forward, on a cable attached to the tractor.
While towing, ensure the following:
- the ignition key is in position «ACC» or «ON»;
- put the shift lever in neutral position (for automatic transmission selector position «N»);
- release the parking brake.
Note. To avoid serious damage to the four-wheel drive vehicle (4WD) do not exceed the towing speed of more than 15 km/h for a distance of no more than 1.5 km.
Pic. 1.187. Checking the car on a stand with running drums: A - temporary rollers without a drive; B - running drums (speedometer check)
When checking the speedometer or during general inspection / maintenance of an all-wheel drive vehicle, it is recommended to use a stand with running drums on all four wheels, as shown in Figure 1.187.
Attention! The application of the parking brake is not permitted during these tests.
In the case of using a stand for a front-wheel drive car when checking a car with permanent all-wheel drive (4WD) strictly follow the following rules.
Check the pressure in the tires of all wheels.
Install the front wheels of the car on the rollers of the stand, as shown in the figure.
Release the parking brake.
Pic. 1.188. 4WD lock switch
Establish back wheels on temporary rollers without a drive as it is shown in drawing 1.188.
When using snow chains, install them on all wheels.
If the front and rear wheels are stuck in the mud, do not spin them with the engine unnecessarily. All-wheel drive system (4WD) may be damaged.
Attention! If a car with permanent all-wheel drive (4WD) jacked up, do not start the engine as this may cause the wheels to spin. There is a danger that the spinning wheels may touch the ground and cause «bounce» car.
Attention! If one of the front or rear wheels begins to slip in mud, snow, etc., the car can sometimes be pulled out by additionally pressing the accelerator pedal; however, avoid prolonged operation of the engine at high speeds: this can damage the four-wheel drive (4WD).