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How fast can you drive in 4WD?

48K views 58 replies 30 participants last post by  Tweak 
#1 ·
I recently bought a 2015 Rubicon. I know you can shift from 2WD into 4WD high up to 50mph but was wondering how fast you can drive while in 4WD. I can't seem to find any info on this.

Thanks,

Dennis
 
#2 ·
Welcome to the forum.

There is no technical upper limit. However, there is more of a common sense limit. If you need 4WD, you should no be going very fast. Remember, this a 4WD vehicle, not an AWD vehicle.
 
#7 ·
I've gotten above 100...but yeah...only in 2WD....and just once.

Your speed limiter is set to 99 mph because that is the limit for Q rated tires.

My limiter should be set to 112 because the stock Bridgestone's are S rated.



Max speed for 4H is as fast as conditions safely allow, which should not be very fast if 4H is needed.
 
#8 ·
My limiter is set at 105 but since I never recalibrated my speedo technically I could go 113. I've never been that high in any gear.
 
#9 ·
You will find out.............................immediately upon spinning out of control, and landing in the ditch.....the best place for dumbazzes!
 
#11 ·
I recently bought a 2015 Rubicon. I know you can shift from 2WD into 4WD high up to 50mph but was wondering how fast you can drive while in 4WD. I can't seem to find any info on this.

Thanks,

Dennis
I wouldn't stress about it... we regularly drive at speeds up to around 70mph in 4wd on our 1 ton dodges. Realistically if you're going much faster you probably don't need 4wd
 
#14 ·
What he said ^. If you are in conditions which require 4WD, then you shouldn't be driving fast enough to find out in a standard vehicle.
 
#15 ·
#20 odamo
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Join Date: Sep 2013
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I don't think he's asking for all the varied opinions of how fast you think he should be going in 4 hi based on conditions or being told that if you can go faster than 55 you don't need to be in 4hi.
The only correct answer is: You can go as fast as your vehicle will go. period. :doh2:
 
#23 ·
So, I says to the guy, I says "I don't want no Jeep that is limited, dang it!" So that's why I bought an Unlimited. I'm not stupid, ya know. :)
 
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#19 ·
I'd like to add to this (again).
There is no stated limit by Jeep.
And in a STRAIGHT line, you could take a Wrangler all the way up to the limiter in 4H.

(Although again, 4H is used for severe conditions, not for dry or wet
pavement...gotta read the owners manual).

With that said, 4H in slick conditions on a curvy two lane highway or an interstate cloverleaf at high(er) speeds is a good way to end up in a ditch. 4H does not help you stop any faster.
 
#25 ·
Now you're just being silly. That would take the Louie Armstrong Lunar Special Edition, which I don't have. Geez. :/
 
#56 ·
...love it! Lmao :) :beerdrinking:
 
#26 ·
Apparently asking how fast you can drive in 4wd makes me a dumbass. Oh well, I should've painted a clear picture of why I was asking. I was on the highway Sunday night and it was snowing out. Traffic was moving around 55-65mph. I wanted to make sure driving up in the 65mph range in 4HI wasn't going to do any damage. Thanks for (most of) your answers.
 
#27 ·
Apparently asking how fast you can drive in 4wd makes me a dumbass. Oh well, I should've painted a clear picture of why I was asking. I was on the highway Sunday night and it was snowing out. Traffic was moving around 55-65mph. I wanted to make sure driving up in the 65mph range in 4HI wasn't going to do any damage. Thanks for (most of) your answers.
From a damage standpoint, in theory, if you are going in a straight line, nothing would happen.

The owners manual states that 4H and 4L should not be used on paved roads because damage "can" happen. The more you turn, the more all four of your wheels need to rotate at different speeds.

But assuming you have a Rubi (user name) and it is stock...the best advice is to slow down. Non-siped tires are not good on slick/icy pavement.
 
#32 ·
Maybe a good question is... Does having the front wheels engaged help keep the back end from sliding around when it's slick,/snowy/etc.?

I work in the agriculture industry and my company pickup sees mud off and on all through our irrigation season. I've learned I don't need 4wd as often as I think I do, but it's nice for the "oh $:mad:/!" circumstances. The best way to stay in the middle of the road is to stay out of the gas. I've also been told that 4wd in snow and ice can amplify your fractions problems.
 
#33 ·
Maybe a good question is... Does having the front wheels engaged help keep the back end from sliding around when it's slick,/snowy/etc.? I work in the agriculture industry and my company pickup sees mud off and on all through our irrigation season. I've learned I don't need 4wd as often as I think I do, but it's nice for the "oh $:mad:/!" circumstances. The best way to stay in the middle of the road is to stay out of the gas. I've also been told that 4wd in snow and ice can amplify your fractions problems.
so now we have to do fractions also? This is getting out of hand.
 
#34 ·
Simple rule that I use, not trying to be a smart a$$. I use 2wd to stay out of trouble and 4wd to get out of trouble. To explain, I stay in 2wd until I cannot move, this is on road and off. So if I have to go at a crawl in 2wd than that is what is safe. All 4wd will do is give you a false sense of security that you can go faster than you should. Stay in 2wd until you cannot move!

Helps with my mileage also!!
 
#36 ·
I still don't think it is a good idea to be operating in 4X4 at 50-65 mph, even if it won't damage the drivetrain. I drive on gravel Forest Service roads quite often and engage 4X4 for a few miles each time. Primarily to just use the 4X4, make sure it is operating properly and keep everything lubricated. I don't really have to have the traction, but it does help keep you in a straight line when cornering on the loose gravel. But I'm never over 25-30 mph either, usually closer to 15-20 mph and on a surface that will allow plenty of wheel spin.

If the road is safe enough to be driving 50 mph, you don't need 4X4 and I believe it could be counter productive on slick pavement. Remember when cornering something has to give. At least one tire is going to spin somewhat. I don't want even one tire breaking traction on slick pavement at 50 mph. An AWD, or vehicle operating in 2wd will allow all 4 wheels to turn at different speeds. Not a true 4X4.
 
#37 ·
Some of these posts make me laugh... I'd love to see some of these people take a trip on logging/ oilfield roads out here in western Alberta. The roads are snow/ice for 5 months a year, everyone throws it in 4x4 and drives. We don't slow to 30 mph because of a bit of snow...put it in 4x4 drive normal speeds and slow down for oncoming traffic and curves on the road.
Everyone here has been doing so for years and we're not blowing up tcases or axles because of it.
 
#42 ·
A bit pedantic, but under certain circumstances, 4hi and 4low can improve your braking performance.

For example, in slippery conditions, in 2wd, one axle's average speed can go to zero or lower than the other axle's average speed if one or both tires on that axle are locked up.

In 4hi or 4low, the locked tcase couples the average axles' speeds together. this can reduce stopping distances in slippery conditions.

That doesn't mean you should drive faster in inclement weather than you would in a 2wd car. It means in slow slippery terrain, 4wd can help you slow down compared to 2wd.
 
#43 ·
A bit pedantic, but under certain circumstances, 4hi and 4low can improve your braking performance.

For example, in a slippery decent, in 2wd, one axle's average speed can go to zero or lower than the other axle's average speed if one or both tires on that axle are locked up.

In 4hi or 4low, the locked tcase couples the average axles' speeds together. this can reduce stopping distances in slippery conditions.

That doesn't mean you should drive faster in inclement weather than you would in a 2wd car. It means in slow slippery terrain, 4wd can help you slow down compared to 2wd.
I think that is true for dry pavement, and for compression braking in bad weather (slowing your wheels down with no chance of locking them up).

But in slick conditions, the problem becomes available traction, especially in emergency situations.

At 60mph on a slick road, stopping the wheels from rotating isn't a problem because on a limited traction surface, braking the traction of your tires is quite easy. ABS aside, locking up the wheels is simple.

Stopping your momentum is the game changer.

I think that is why it is so easy to get in trouble with 4WD. It is much easier to go faster than conditions allow, but if you have to make a sudden lane change or an emergancy braking manuver......stuff can go tits up in a hurry.
 
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