something off with my 4x4

[Bumpertje]

Hi there,

My name is Silvana and I'm new here. I bought my 1994 RAV4 in january 2010 with 106.000 clicks on the clock. Now it has 118.900 clicks on it.
I've had no problems so far, just a bit of low maintenance from the previous owner, but that is all up to date now.
Yesterday I switched on the 4x4 (button on the dash) and found out that I'm not able to turn my wheels as far as normal. It feels like the breaks are on, as soon as I turn the wheels.
Is there any-one who had the same, or a similar problem?

Kind regards,

Silvana

[gruntz]

Hello Silvana.

Welcome to the forum.

That is not a bug, that is a feature. Toyota rav4 is full time 4x4 drive. It cannot be switched on/off. The button on the dash board id causing the central differential to lock, so the power will go to rear and front wheels equal. 50%-50%. You should not use it on pavement. Only when your car is stuck and cannot move (in snow, or mud). The reason that you feel that the breaks are on, is because your wheels are slipping on the pavement.

So everything seems to be fine according to my opinion.

Readings.

[Bumpertje]

Hi,

Thanks for your quick response.....so I've been worried for nothing?!
There's nothing wrong with my old wheels.....
Thanks for your advise, I will not use it anymory untill I really need it!!

A very grateful,

Silvana

[Dr. Dyno]

What actually happens when you turn a corner is the front wheels take a wider circle than the rear ones meaning they rotate slightly faster than the rear wheels. When the center differential is locked in 4WD both front and rear wheels get locked together so they HAVE to rotate the SAME speed. That's okay going straight but when turning some wheel HAS to slip. When traction is low enough to need locked 4WD it doesn't matter since the wheels are free to slip. On dry pavement the effect feels like a "binding" as if the brakes are on as the front and rear wheels fight each other to see which is going to slip. It also puts tremendous stress on the 4WD components.

It's how I test to see if 4WD is working. I do it on a dirt or gravel parking lot where it can't hurt anything.

Unlike your RAV4, my 2006 has electronic sensors and controls to prevent any binding.

Both my F-250s have locked 4WD so I'm very aware of the issues. So much so that when I drive over my yard, to bring in firewood for example, I use 4WD only when going straight or nearly so. When turning I shift to 2WD. Otherwise I'll tear up the yard something terrible.

[Bumpertje]

Hi,

Thank you very much for the explanation. Now I know for sure that I'm not gonna use it anymore, unless I really need it.
I'm very glad I found this forum, it's been a great help so far...

Thanks,

Silvana

[Pim]

Da's dan erg mooi Silvana.
Als je reparatie handleidingen of andere interessante documenten wilt, kijk gerust eens op mijn profiel voor een link.
Ook handig is de gebruikershandleiding.
(For those not understanding, this was dutch)
Groet,

Pim

[Bumpertje]

Hallo Pim,

Hartelijk dank, tis wel fijn om ook een Nederlander hier tegen te komen!
En ik zal zeker eens op je profiel kijken, ben namelijk al heel lang op zoek naar een gebruikershandleiding....

Groetjes....

Silvana

[Bumpertje]

Hello,

I've added some pictures in my profile, album.....

Have fun....

Silvana

[Pim]

Leuke velgen heb je. Ik wist niet dat de passagiers airbag optioneel was (jij hebt hem namelijk niet).
Voor de gereden kilometers ziet hij binnen er prima uit.
Ook een type stuur (met claxon buttons) dat ik nog niet eerder had gezien op de RAV4.
Het is trouwens goed gebruik om de nummerplaat onleesbaar te maken op een forum. ivm privacy en potentiële mensen met andere interesses (bijvoorbeeld dievengilde)
Groet vanuit een besneeuwd Zuid Holland (Boskoop),

Pim

[Bumpertje]

Hallo Pim,

De Rav is geïmporteerd vanuit Duitsland, misschien dat ze daar andere "standaards" hebben? Anders weet ik het ook niet...
Velgen zaten erop toen ik hem kocht en de airbag zit inderdaad alleen aan de bestuurders kant.
Wat je NIET ziet op de fotootjes is dat ie schade heeft:linksvoor heeft ie een deukje boven het knipperlicht (heb ik vervangen na aankoop) en een flinke kras over het rechterportier van achter naar voor. Dat had ie al toen ik hem kocht, en tot nu toe stoort het me niet, dus laat ik het zitten.

Even ter vertaling voor de overige mensen hier:
The Rav has been imported from Germany, maybe they have differtent standards over there? Otherwise I don't know...
The alloywheels were on the car when I bought it and the airbag is only on the driverside.
What you DO NOT see on the pictures is that it has some damage: left front has a dent just above the indicator (replaced it after I bought the car) and a long scratch over the length of the passengerdoor. It was already there when I bought it, it doesn't bother me so I leave it for now.

Greetings from cold Holland.

Groetjes vanuit een stervens koud (vannacht -1 sneeuwvrij, uiterste oosten van Midden Limburg....

Silvana