I flicked through the manual, and didn't find an answer....... Can you safely drive the new gen (mines a '10 5.4 FX4) in 4 wheel high on the highway? My old 05 sport trak blew the transfer case because I was too stupid to know that you cannot drive explorers in 4wd at highway speeds. Has Ford made this truck idiot proof? Or do I still gotta be smarter than my truck?

 

Yes, its perfectly safe to drive with 4wheel HIGH on at regular highway speeds. I have a few buddies with diesel trucks that drag in 4 wheel high to get traction...wouldn't recommend it but its possible.

 

Why would you need 4hi at highway speeds?

Just curious if this is a poor weather question but...Not trying to start a pissing match that comes around every winter but if you need 4wd, should you be travelling at highway speeds?

 

It is not safe to drive on a DRY highway in 4wd for any distance at any speed. Same as the Sport Trak.

 

I've always used 4x4 with snow or very heavy rain at any speed ! Dry ? NO !

 

Canadianelbow I think the manual says not to exceed 80 km/h in 4h in slippery conditions. I've driven hours along concession roads with 1 foot of snow in 4h and have been very impressed.

My wife was driving around in 4l the other day and it didn't seem to do any harm though, long term may be a different story.

 

You can drive in High at any speeds. Is it safe to go on crappy roads at normal speeds NO.

 

i wouldn't do that either. I don't think there will be enough slip on the road with just water no matter how deep or rainy it is.

 

I thought you should never exceed 40 MPH in 4-Hi...

 

Last night the highway was snow packed and snowing but cold so there was good traction. I was in 4 Hi doing 100km per hour. I have always done it. Zero issues. Now 4 low is another story...lol


Just spoke to the dealer (service dept.) and 100km per hour (60mph) is perfectly fine.

 

I have done this many times, but just because it is the highway does not always mean 65+mph. When it is snow covered then highway speeds around here are more like 35-45mph, except for the occasional yahoo that you'll see in the median a few miles down the road.

 

With alot of 4wd vehicles getting going and maintaining are pretty effortless in slippery/snowy/slushy conditions....its the problem of when you need to stop or slow down thats what everyone forgets about.....

 

The speed limitation is for when shifting into or out of 4hi. Do not exceed 50mph when doing this. As far as once in 4hi, any speed is fine. As stated, not on dry or even just wet road, unless in a straight line.

 

Here in Alberta we have very different road conditions at different elevations. I tend to enjoy skiing in the Rocky Mountains, and when I go, I usually take the truck. It can be perfectly dry in some areas of the highway, and blowing snow with black ice in other areas. In the explorer, I would just switch into 4 Hi, and drive. Since the transfer case troubles, I have refrained from 4WD on the Highway at all. Hence the addition of true winter rubber to my ride. With Blizzaks, and 2wd, it handles fairly well. Now that winter is upon us again, in the city I click into 4 Hi on snow or slick days.

To the highway speed question, on most highways throughout Canada, even in winter, you will find at the very least 2 almost bare rutts in the road, cut through the snow and alot of the ice, with a slick snow covered haze both between the two driving ruts, and between lanes. In most cases, if you do not travel at a normal highway speed, you have a high chance of causing an accident to the motorists around you. You effectively force others to venture into these non bare sections of the highway to make an attempt to pass you. On reduced visibility days, or heavy snowfall days, normal highway speeds are not a great idea, of course.

 

That's why this will probably be my last 4 wheel drive vehicle. I had awd before, and it was point - shoot - go, fabulous traction, regardless of conditions. Switching in and out of 4wd is a pain, and can obviously result in damage if for whatever reason you're not paying attention that closely and conditions change. I'm back to awd for my winter vehicle, although we haven't had any snow to test it on yet.