What is the fastest 4WD high-performance vehicle you can drive?

It is important to understand how to drive a four wheel-drive vehicle. There are questions that arise, such as how fast can you drive in 4×4 High and what is the difference between this system compared with 4×4 Low?

Every auto manufacturer has different guidelines, but in general, you don’t want to drive faster than 55 mph when using 4WD High. 4WD is only engaged when in a low-traction situation and it wouldn’t be safe to go faster. 4WD Low should be driven at 10 mph in almost all cases. 

These systems are different and we discuss the consequences of traveling too quickly. We also discuss a few of the basics surrounding the 4×4 High systems. 

Difference Between 4×4 High vs. 4×4 Low

You have the option of 4WD High or 4WD Low in your four-wheel-drive car. What is the best way to know which option you should use and when? You need to be aware of the differences in gearing. 4WD High relies on direct gearing to drive the wheels. 4WD Low uses gear reduction to increase traction and improve power.

With the special gearing, the engine torque is multiplied easier, just like what’s done when you ride your bicycle up a hill. Shifting into a lower speed will increase the power, which allows you to climb hills with ease.

The lower speeds driven while in 4X4 Low make it easier to maintain the power required so your vehicle doesn’t stall. It also ensures that you keep the speeds to a minimum so you don’t hurt the vehicle when you are traveling across rough terrain or over bigger obstacles.

You might be able to drive a maximum speed of ten miles per hour in 4WD Low. If not, it is possible to switch to 4WD High. It is possible to switch to 4WD High if you feel you are losing traction. 

READ MORE: 4WD High vs Low – Difference & When to Use

Does 4×4 High Hurt the Vehicle?

When used properly, 4WD High isn’t going to hurt your vehicle. However, you can’t use four-wheel-drive for reasons other than what it’s intended for. If the car loses traction (e.g. when it hits dirt, snow or mud), you can convert to 4WD.

You should be aware that the drivetrain can become damaged if you use it while making sharp turns. It is possible for energy to bind inside of the drivetrain and cause costly repairs. 

The vehicle's four-wheel drive means that the rear and front axles spin in the same direction when it turns. Either the energy is expelled by the spinning wheels, or the transfer case will become clogged up. This is why you may notice that the 4WD wheels start to hop in place of being driven. 

Should You Drive in 4×4 High All the Time?

You shouldn’t keep the vehicle in the 4×4 High driving mode. Drivetrain damage can result from the accumulation of energy. There’s no reason to allow the excessive amount of wear, especially when the road conditions are just fine for normal travel. 

There’s really no reason to drive in 4WD High all of the time. Once you hit speeds going more than 55 mph, it’s unlikely you are struggling with traction or controlling the vehicle. 

Not only does four-wheel-drive cause more wear to the system, but it’s going to cause you to go through more fuel. There’s no reason to spend more than necessary on fuel or repairs, especially if you don’t need to be. 

How about Full-Time 4WD?

By now, you have to wonder why a full-time 4×4 can drive at any speed without causing damage. If you have a Land Rover or 4×4 Toyota, the rules are slightly different. In these cars, there’s a center differential that will split the power between the two axles, just like the normal differential does. 

The center differential allows power to go to the axle with less grip. This creates a gap in speed between them. When the center differential is in use, the 4×4 vehicles aren’t operating like the vehicle with regular 4WD High, so you don’t have to worry about the same type of damage occurring. 

RELATED: AWD vs 4WD: What’s the Difference & Which to Choose?

What affects 4WD high on the vehicle

1. Braking

You will need to take longer to stop when you have less traction with 4WD High. It will naturally take longer. For this reason, it’s best to adjust how far you follow vehicles in front of you to prepare for this additional time.

It might take twice as long to stop on a surface with low traction. For this reason, it’s best to remain as far back as possible. To be safer, you may prefer having the car in front of you go around. 

2. Handling

The stopping power of your car will change, and so will its handling. You will notice some improvements in the vehicle's handling if you drive on a low-traction road. Your steering system isn’t going to respond as it does when you are driving across a dry highway surface. You might feel an increase in steering, but your system can also quickly shift the other direction, leading to loss of control. 

To prevent an accident, it’s best to avoid any sudden moves that aren’t necessary. Keep making small adjustments to your steering wheel if necessary, and not in jerky, abrupt movements. These adjustments should be made with a light touch. 

3. Cornering

When cornering, handling is something we need to discuss. Turning on a low-traction surface will be very different. It’s not going to be as smooth and comfortable as what you are usually accustomed to.

You can easily lose your vehicle's traction during the turn. If you aren’t keeping the vehicle under control, you could end up off of the road. That’s why you should slow down the speed if you feel uncomfortable. You also want to avoid any aggressive steering or quick braking unless it’s absolutely necessary.

Practice driving as you would before the roads become dangerous and you have to use 4WD. Practice progressive braking techniques and making smaller steering movements. When you're going around a corner, it is important to keep your distance from other cars.