4wd high misuse

[JanuszPL]

Sorry for the stupid question, I'm new to 4 wheel drive and off-road (also english is not my native language). I've had a new Rebel 5.7 hemi for a month now, 1500 miles on it. I was convinced that 4wd high shouldn't be used on turns on asphalt (especially with the steering wheel turned to the max). Apart from that, there are no particular contraindications. So i felt its ok to engage 4wd high a few times for maximum acceleration from traffic lights. I've also used 4wd high on gentle terrain, on sand or in the forest. When it was raining heavily on the highway - I was driving on 4wd high at 80 mph... Now I'm reading that I absolutely shouldn't use 4wd high on asphalt, even if I'm going straight. Also off-road, if it's not super slippery - I shouldn't engage 4wd high... I feel like an idiot and I'm worried that I could have damaged my new car because of my stupidity. Please tell me if I've screwed up badly or very badly. And should I check the differential or transfer case somehow? In my defense, I can only say that the dealer encouraged me during a test drive of another Ram to use 4wd high to start from the traffic lights because it would give me better traction...

 

[Sascwatch]

Using 4wd in high traction environments like dry pavement is not recommended as it can cause binding in the transfer case due to different speeds between the front and rear wheels while turning.

If you didn’t experience catastrophic failure of the transfer case it is highly unlikely you caused any damage.

I use 4wd on roads that go from snow covered to bare wet pavement and back so often that I don’t bother switching in and out of 4wd outside of tight turns on bare surfaces. Many times I have forgotten to switch out of 4wd and other than requiring a bit more throttle to overcome the resistance I haven’t had any issues in 70k+ miles.

Lots of drag strip passes have been preformed with 4wd vehicles using stock transfer cases and front differentials without many issues. Also lots of vehicles doing extreme off-road on bare rocky trails.

Many myths out there about using 4wd on the highway causing transfer cases to explode aswell. I’ve done multiple 16+hour trips with and without a trailer while in 4wd and speeds up to 70mph. Outside of sharp turns on bare/dry pavement you are highly unlikely to cause damage with a stock truck.

 

[Fatherof3]

Welcome to the forum . As Sascwatch stated above tight turns on dry pavement or lots of traction is when it could cause damage . You’ll feel it binding if you shouldn’t be in 4WD .

 

[Reverse]

If you have the transfer case with 4WD Auto, then just use that in rain and when accelerating. I've been doing that for years in over 320,000 miles and no problems

 

[Scap]

I used to do boosted 4wd high launches at the track in my F-150 and never broke anything. I think an unmodified Ram will be just fine with a few stop light launches.

 

[Biga]

You can use 4wd where there isn't much tight turning, but it will create some added wear to the system over time. I don't use 4wd high on dry or even wet roads, I Have good tires and have never had a need to use 4wd on wet pavement.