Can anyone tell me what I should do or check after making a stupid but easy mistake to make in a GM truck? I left my 2005, 3500 GMC dually truck in 4 Wheel High and drove home yesterday. I drove it roughly an hour at 75-80 miles an hour in 4 wheel high! What damage did I cause and what should I do after making this mistake; besides "sell the truck". It's driving fine and making no strange noises; so it seems to be fine; I just want to make sure I take every precaution to correct any damage now. WHY CAN'T GM PUT "4 WHEEL DRIVE" ACROSS OUR DASH READ OUT TO HELP PREVENT THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's way too easy to leave a Chevy or GM in 4 wheel drive and not realize it. Thanks in advance for your advice.
I wouldn't expect any damage. I blew off a rear driveline on my old Bronce once and need to get home, so I pulled off what was left of the driveline and drove it 250 mile on front drive. Drove a little different, but never had a problem.
I drove about 50 miles on the highway with my 02 in 4wd. I even pulled over to check what the noise was. Then I realized and felt very stupid, but thank god it didn't hurt anything and that was over 3 years ago.
Can anyone tell me what I should do or check after making a stupid but easy mistake to make in a GM truck? I left my 2005, 3500 GMC dually truck in 4 Wheel High and drove home yesterday. I drove it roughly an hour at 75-80 miles an hour in 4 wheel high! What damage did I cause and what should I do after making this mistake; besides "sell the truck". It's driving fine and making no strange noises; so it seems to be fine; I just want to make sure I take every precaution to correct any damage now. WHY CAN'T GM PUT "4 WHEEL DRIVE" ACROSS OUR DASH READ OUT TO HELP PREVENT THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's way too easy to leave a Chevy or GM in 4 wheel drive and not realize it. Thanks in advance for your advice.
Well I'll tell you to check the oil level in the front Diff. I drove high speed about 70 mile's in 4X4 mode by accident and blew about 1/2 QT of oil out the vent.
Since you were going so fast, you must have not been doing much turning, in which case I wouldn't worrry about it. The only time I have heard of that causing problems is if you are on a curvy road that will cause the front diff to generate a huge amount of heat if the tires cant slip.
I totally agree with you about the miniscule reminder GM provides that you are in 4WD, particularly with these pushbutton units that can be accidentally pressed.
Are there any electronic guys out there that could tell me how to change out the little LED in the 4wHi switch to a blinking LED. I don't use 4w all that much but ocassionally I leave it on a then feel real stupid when I feel the truck start to bind up in a tight parking lot turn. I figure the small blinking LED would catch my attention quicker than the tiny orange one that is there now.
Sounds like you are far from alone. Did the same thing about 2 yrs ago on dry pavement, have since put on about 40k. Maybe just change the fluid in the front axle and T-case for precaution.
No harm done. Actually they say to engage 4WD from time to time even during the summer months to help keep everything lubricated (obviously straight line travel is preferred when you do it). If you are worried check the fluids (GM front diffs are usually a little low from the factory anyway). The only damage you may have caused is a little extra tire wear on the front and I highly doubt it's even measurable.
Fugetaboutit!
As for 4Lo, the ECM will not allow you to go over 40MPH (at least on the 06's).
Change the transfer case fluid also, I did when I did it in my truck after pulling my trailer out of a pasture to load a horse. Drove 70 miles @ 75 with the trailer, and so far no problems.
If it'd been in 4Lo you couldn't have stood the NOISE.............LOL
Doug
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