2wd or 4wd towing?

[paul_374412920]

hi hope some pne can give me a bit of advice.

i have a nissan xtrail which can be switched from 2wd to 4wd, so should i tow in 2wd or 4wd? im not to bothered about MPG, im just wondering if it would be more stable in 4wd & less strain on the engine? if anyone can help me it would be most appreciated.

 

[xtrailman]

I never use front wheel drive, always use auto, solo or towing.

 

[Parksy]

Hi Paul

I have a swb Mitsubishi Pajero 4x4 and unless I'm moving the outfit on wet grass or in muddy conditions I always use 2wd.

I tow a t/a Abbey Vogue and have no stability problems in 2wd.

 

[Guest]

As far as I am aware the X Trail is basically a 2wd vehicle with an option for 4wd as required. Therefore I would think that wherever possible use 2wd, unless circumstances dictate otherwise. As many people are towing with 2wd vehicles then stability is not really an issue.

If your vehicle is for example a permanent 4wd such as X Type or Subaru, then you go with what you have.

 

[swpostie]

Hi Paul,

While I know nothing about the Xtrail, I do know a bit about Land Rovers.

The Series 1, 2 and 3 Land Rovers (i.e. those made up to 1983) were selectable 4wd, while those made after that date (Defender) were permanent 4wd (like the Range Rover).

The permanent 4wd system includes a centre differential, which allows front and rear axles to turn at different speeds (eg when cornering), but which can be locked when needed (the diff will send the drive down the path of least resistance so, if one axle loses traction the centre diff-lock will ensure that drive still goes to the other axle).

With selectable 4wd (at least with Land Rovers) there is no centre diff, so drive will be distributed equally between the two axles when in 4wd mode. This is far from ideal on the road, as the axles need to rotate at different speeds according to the conditions and driving in this way will cause the transmission to "wind up".

When using 4wd off-road the stresses are dissipated more effectively by mud and bumps etc!

So, in short, you risk damage to your transmission if you keep in 4wd on the road - keep it in 2wd.

I expect someone more knowledgeable than me will now tell you that the Xtrail is completely different from the Land Rover!!

 

[Dustydog]

Stick to 2wd on the road if selectable. We only use 4wd low ratio on the grass and when reversing into position.

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[Bryan_374360331]

Towing or not, I always leave my X-Trail in its default auto-4WD position (with the little green symbol showing on the speedo). As far as I could measure when it was new there is no difference in MPG between 2WD and auto-4WD.

Nissan's info on 2WD/4WD is vague - it seems that it stays in 2WD until some condition brings in drive to the back wheels at some increasing proportion. What is this condition? - Wheel slip? Power? Or what? - Anyone know?

If there is an element of rear-wheel drive when towing, at least the tyre wear will be shared too.

Bry

 

[xtrailman]

The first xtrail that i had, had the four wheel drive system as fitted to the nissan skyline.

When in AUTO the car runs in front wheel drive, if however any of the front wheels slip,(detected by the ABS proxy switches)

then in less than one revolution of the road wheel four wheel drive will cut in.

You can generally feel this when you floor the accelorator at a wet junction.

 

[xtrailman]

Paul

I forgot to mention, dont use "lock" on tarmac etc. The transmission winds up. I would only use it if stuck in mud off road, auto will cover all your normal every day driving.

 

[paul_374412920]

Paul

I forgot to mention, dont use "lock" on tarmac etc. The transmission winds up. I would only use it if stuck in mud off road, auto will cover all your normal every day driving.

hi to everyone that has replied to question! thanks for your help hope you all have a good summer!!!

 

[otherclive]

It's surely best to leave the X-Trail in auto select for normal raod driving. It will mainly sit in 2wd until it senses a need to select 4wd. This could be starting for stop ona wet hill, or when making a sharp turn. Even on a grassy site the system will normally be best left in auto select. The only time I would need to use locked 4wd would be on a wet site where the locked mode tends to stop any wheel spin so preventing grass damage.

 

[robin munro]

Hi,

I own a 2004 Mitsubishi Shogun mk6 SWB, there is a warning sticker on the drivers door which says to put the vehicle into 4wd when towing trailers, regardless of terrain/road type.Apparently its to stop the rear diff from possibly overheating.Hope this helps.

Robin.

 

[Heethers]

l have a 1998 Shogun SWB manual, not seen that on the warning sticker, l have towed the year before last and part of last year with it and had no problems with the diff in 2 wheel drive.

l also used it for towing all sorts of trailers for the last ten years with no trouble, not doubting what you say maybe l have been lucky,or the newer model is different gearbox.

Its done 106000, not using it this year for towing but it will be traded in at the end of the year for 2007 or 2008 Shogun (cracking tow car).

NigelH

 

[robin munro]

Hello NGH,

If you are trading in for a newer shogun, do check the several warnings on the drivers door.

I have always engaged 4wd when towing, and so far with no problems at all.

Regards

Robin.

 

[Heethers]

Robin is yours Auto as thats the one l will trade in for at the end of the year, l will also check the one l have now to see if l missed what you are saying.

l am using a Rover 75 Auto for towing till the end of the year feels just has stable as the Shogun but only been out in it once, will no more when it has to deal with a trip to Sandrigham with no motorways.

NigelH

 

[robin munro]

Hi NGH,

Mines a manual,33600 miles, not a lot I Know, but 90% of that is towing,motorways,autoroutes,the lot.fantastic tow car, and good mpg.

Robin.