How to engage 4WD in your Toyota Tacoma

Learn how to engage 4-wheel-drive in your Toyota Tacoma to conquer tough situations. There are two settings: 4WD high and 4WD low. Here's how to engage them:

For 4wd high:

1. Start the truck and put it into drive.
2. Turn the 4wd knob to "4H" setting.
3. The dash will indicate that the vehicle is now in 4WD high.
4. To disengage, switch back to the 2wd setting even while driving.

For 4wd low:

1. Have the truck in "4H" already.
2. Put the truck in neutral gear.
3. Turn the 4wd knob to "4L" setting.
4. The dash will show that the truck is now in 4L.
5. To disengage, stop the truck, put it in neutral, and switch back to "4H".

4-wheel-drive is useful in bad weather and off-road situations. Engage 4wd high on icy or wet roads, or at high speeds (around 50-60 mph) in rough terrains like mud or sand. For better gas mileage, switch to 2wd on paved roads. Remember not to exceed 60 mph in 4wd high to avoid transmission damage.

You can switch out of 4wd while driving in 4wd high but not recommended in 4wd low. Turn off traction control when using 4wd low on slippery surfaces like snow or mud to improve grip.

Using 4wd consumes more fuel, so keep a full tank when heading into snowy or muddy terrain. 4wd low is ideal for snow or off-roading, ensuring your Tacoma can handle deep snow or mud without getting stuck. Drive under 10 mph in 4wd low for better traction, avoiding speeds exceeding 20 mph to protect the transmission.