AUTO 4wd?

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dared3vil00
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AUTO 4wd?

Postby dared3vil00 » Wed Mar 14, 2012 8:27 pm

Evening folks, so i have never used my AUTO 4wd function, Only 2wd, 4hi and 4lo. Could someone enlighten me on how it works? Also, just how good of a system is it? One final note, If someone was (hypothetically speaking of course :P ) going to do a 0-60MPH run, Would it be safe to use AUTO for a better start? As i know 4hi isn't supposed to exceed 100KMH.


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volvite
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Postby volvite » Thu Mar 15, 2012 6:14 am

I'm no technical expert. However the auto seems to work as when any kind of slip is detected, a signal from the wheels are sent to the transfercase which will then engage the front wheels allowing the 4x4 to be activated.

I've used it when there has been some minor snow. The Pathfinder seemed to handle what ever we had in Idaho this year without me even putting it into real 4x4. I like it as I can leave it in Auto for when the wife drives and feel comfortable with her driving.

Hope that helps.

dared3vil00
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Postby dared3vil00 » Thu Mar 15, 2012 10:18 am

Thanks, yeah it did help. One of my main questions was whether I could just leave it in auto as opposed to using it like 4wd, only when needed. So thanks
For answering that, and one thing does anyone know if auto hurts fuel economy? It's bad enough as it is.

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volvite
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Postby volvite » Thu Mar 15, 2012 11:16 am

I don't think anyone has tested it on fuel economy. However I think that it would hurt. If it's always watching for a signal to engage the front wheels, I would think any kind of slip would then make the transfercase engage the front wheels and then as we all know, decrease fuel economy. No proven fact on my part, just my 2 cents.

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disallow
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Postby disallow » Thu Mar 15, 2012 1:09 pm

volvite wrote:I don't think anyone has tested it on fuel economy. However I think that it would hurt. If it's always watching for a signal to engage the front wheels, I would think any kind of slip would then make the transfercase engage the front wheels and then as we all know, decrease fuel economy. No proven fact on my part, just my 2 cents.
+1 makes sense

dared3vil00
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Postby dared3vil00 » Thu Mar 15, 2012 8:16 pm

Yeah, sounds about right. Thanks for the replys guys. However, call me old fashioned i like deciding when my front wheels are pulling, not the Computer. I will probably stick with 2wd and then 4hi/lo as needed.

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Postby smj999smj » Thu Mar 15, 2012 8:28 pm

According to the owner's manual, using 2WD mode allows for the best fuel mileage. That said, I monitored my fuel mileage in both 2WD and AUTO modes and didn't notice any change on the average mpg. It really shouldn't affect gas mileage at all unless it detects a condition and engages the 4WD...and it will only remain in 4WD while it senses conditions to keep it in 4WD...so, for the majority of one's driving, the AUTO mode should keep it in 2WD and gas mileage would be relatively unaffected. Personally, I usually put it in AUTO mode in wet weather or during cold mornings when black ice could be an issue. But, you could leave it in AUTO mode indefinitely and it won't hurt anything.

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Postby Taavi » Fri Mar 16, 2012 1:41 pm

I keep it on 4wd Auto all the time in winter and 2 wd in summer. I cant say there is much difference on mpg while on 2wd or 4wd(auto). I've noticed a little difference while on 4wd(auto) or 4wd (Hi) [15.0L/100km vs 15.5L/100km].

dared3vil00
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Postby dared3vil00 » Fri Mar 16, 2012 2:19 pm

FIFTEEN litres/100KM? How do you do it? I must hear your secrets, I'm currently sitting at 17.8L/100Km, and it varies between 17.7 and 18.1.

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Postby asgard » Fri Mar 16, 2012 3:35 pm

How much city are you doing, how long do you sit with the engine ticking over and what speed are you going and how hard are you accelerating. These are all very important factors.

I use 4wd auto in poor road conditions whether wet or snow, I use it almost all the time in winter unless on the highway where it is clear. Summer 2wd unless heavy rain.

I average in winter 15l/100 and in summer 11.7l/100 on 87 octane

2007 with 61000kms, Mobil 1 and specter air cleaner. Completed a full seafoam treatment within last 5000kms.
When all highway - going south to warmer climate I average about 10l/100 cruising at 70-75 mph , have managed lower but not often..

dared3vil00
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Postby dared3vil00 » Fri Mar 16, 2012 5:14 pm

Wow, I do probably 65/35 Highway/City, and i wouldn't say i accelerate insanely quickly either, sure maybe quicker than some, but not enough to warrant a 2.5-3l/100km difference

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elpeede
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Postby elpeede » Sat Mar 17, 2012 4:42 pm

Tyres (Tires) and their pressure will make a considerable difference as well. Worth keeping on top of the pressures.

dared3vil00
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Postby dared3vil00 » Sat Mar 17, 2012 7:10 pm

elpeede wrote:Tyres (Tires) and their pressure will make a considerable difference as well. Worth keeping on top of the pressures.
I usually check them about once every 2 weeks. Sometimes sooner, sometimes longer.

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Postby skinny2 » Sun Mar 18, 2012 5:22 am

dared3vil00 wrote:but not enough to warrant a 2.5-3l/100km difference
Pathfinder is VERY sensitive to throttle inputs. I can add 2mpg to my average just on driving technique. I find it very tiring however to play the game and very hard to keep my foot out of it. I'm a somewhat aggressive driver and pretty much just have to pay the price.

If you're bored and think you can handle it, try to give it very light throttle, let it lose some speed up the hills. I've also found pulling hills it does better to let it downshift than to lug it, so drop a gear and then give it less throttle. Get completely off the pedal as much as possible when going down hill. Huge difference between light throttle and no throttle. I did this for one full tank and added about 30 miles to my typical range. It damn near drove me crazy but I was just curious!

As for the full-time, when switching to Auto it locks the front differenctial to the axles, so you're turning some additional internal components. Shouldn't take away much from mpg, but more drag is more drag.

Taavi
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Postby Taavi » Sun Mar 18, 2012 1:38 pm

dared3vil00 wrote:FIFTEEN litres/100KM? How do you do it? I must hear your secrets, I'm currently sitting at 17.8L/100Km, and it varies between 17.7 and 18.1.
There is no secret.. :wink: Take it easy with your right foot. I try to keep engine RPM less than 3000. I use "cruise control" as much as possible.

As mentioned above, tyres make differnece. For example with Nokian Z SUV it took about a liter less than with Cooper Ddiscoverer ATR both of them were same size 265/65 R17.


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