General Correct procedure for (dis)engaging the 4x4?

[zucherro]

Hi all,

I dont have a user's manual for my 4x4, and am not clear on the correct procedure for putting the thing in and out of 4wd. There's something on the visor regarding 50 kph and pressing the clutch but its in Italian.

I have managed to put it into 4x4 mode by pulling up the lever when at a standstill, and the clutch dumped.
I noticed that it was quite stiff when I tried to take it out (push it down) so drove a bit with 4x4 and after a couple of km, at the next stop sign I dumped the clutch and I was able to push the lever down easy.

Can (should) 4x4 mode be (dis)engaged while moving?

thanx in advance,

nikos

 

[Alan.D]

It can yes.

The 4x4 lever is much more effective with clean oil & will make a difference I can put the lever up & down anytime except can't put down when accelerating.

Anyway on the stiffer levers I've come accross (I'm going to get plenty of messages with that I recon) they are much easier to drop when decelerating in 3rd or 4th.

 

[zucherro]

It can yes.

The 4x4 lever is much more effective with clean oil & will make a difference I can put the lever up & down anytime except can't put down when accelerating.

Anyway on the stiffer levers I've come accross (I'm going to get plenty of messages with that I recon) they are much easier to drop when decelerating in 3rd or 4th.

Thanx, I take this to mean you dont have to press the clutch. Correct?
I've searched wrt which oil to use, but the posts were kinda confusing. What oil are you running in your tranny, and what in the rear end?

thanx,

nikos

 

[Alan.D]

Unfortunately i'm running ZC75 in both where it should be ZC90 but had no problems. No you don't need to release the clutch and can often make dropping the lever harder than when decelerating.

 

[default_user]

You should also use the 4x4 only on loose or slippery surfaces as it's entirely mechanical and prone to 'winding up' on hard surfaces. There are minute differences in the gearing between front and rear which means that one set of wheels will travel ever so slightly further than the other when driven a moderate distance putting a lot of strain on the drivetrain. If you find the lever really difficult to disengage drive in reverse for a short distance and this should free it up.

This is one of the reasons why vehicles with permanent 4x4 have viscous couplings between front and rear.

 

[Tony M]

to release out of 4x4 i have found that just a blip of the throttle, no clutch and just on the down side of the rev'ing it'll slip down without complaint.

 

[orange127sport]

I used HD40 diesel oil (its what Comma recommend for the Panda 4x4).
If mine ever sticks in 4WD (which somebody says happens on road use), stop the car, reverse it 10 meters and it'll help take the torque out of the transmission, then it should come out of 4WD

 

[Tony M]

I used HD40 diesel oil (its what Comma recommend for the Panda 4x4).
If mine ever sticks in 4WD (which somebody says happens on road use), stop the car, reverse it 10 meters and it'll help take the torque out of the transmission, then it should come out of 4WD

I will have to borrow some of that on Saturday mate... i think mine is grinding itself to pieces.

 

[JimMagill]

I used HD40 diesel oil (its what Comma recommend for the Panda 4x4).
If mine ever sticks in 4WD (which somebody says happens on road use), stop the car, reverse it 10 meters and it'll help take the torque out of the transmission, then it should come out of 4WD

Yeah, that works for me too....

Jim

 

[Lesnewell]

Thanx, I take this to mean you dont have to press the clutch. Correct?

Just don't engage 4x4 under power, especially if you are spinning the front wheels on a slippery surface. Normally if I am doing more than walking speed I dip the clutch to engage 4x4. In general use you very seldom need 4x4. It is amazing how much traction you get in 2WD.

 

[Alan.D]

I take your point but just to add the 4x4 box should be used occasionaly when driving to keep it healthy, if unused for long periods it will wear quicker.