Changing from 2WD to 4WD (W460)

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Jdring
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Location: South of Oxford, UK. 87' 230GE SWB Manual, 89' 230GE SWB Auto, 2012 G350Bluetec LWB
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Being able to put the 460 into 4x4 ont he fly is a great feature, but I am never quite sure what the recommended modus operandii is?

I tend to slow, de-clutch, put into(or out of) 4x4 mode, clutch again in neutral and then select a running gear (normally 2nd). Not sure I need to do all that. What's the recommendation and reality?

I believe that putting into low ratio requires stationary or almost stationary selection. That's what I have always done anyway.

btw- I was practising doughnuts and powerslides in an empty (well nearly empty) car park yesterday before the snow melts here in Oxon, and the 4x4 control is fantastic. Juvenile but GREAT. Do the same in 2WD and its game over pretty quick.

Grecian
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Re: Changing from 2WD to 4WD (W460)

I tend to go between 2wd and 4wd on the fly in whatever gear and whatever speed but I'm never convinced it engages either way until you slow enough to drop down into 2nd.

I guess you're always going to be going pretty slowly to go into low range anyway, but I don't take any special precautions.

Interested to see what those that know have to say.

LEEU
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Re: Changing from 2WD to 4WD (W460)

I can't say what you are supposed to do, but I can say what I am doing, and I haven't broken one yet.

Use your low/high lever exactly like a normal gear lever, so driving in 2nd HIGH, push the clutch and shift to LOW. It doesn't matter how fast you go, as long as the revs are going to be within range when you release the clutch.

I drive my car as if it has 7 gears for day to day use, the normal 5 and on steep drives, hairpin bends down to low. When off road (50% of my driving) I switch to LOW very quickly and drive it in 1-5, then when I come off, I just go straight into high again.

Don't be scared of the thing, and although I will not say do it every day, but I drove my one 460 on hard surfaced roads in 4wd a lot. Some people might remember me catching some poachers in a 2.0L Ford Mondeo on the road, that was only possible because I was in 4wd on the road.

Enjoy!

lenny
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Re: Changing from 2WD to 4WD (W460)

I dont slow down when i change between 2wd and 4wd but always stop to put in to low.

My is auto so i cant match the revs..

mgrays
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Re: Changing from 2WD to 4WD (W460)

When not under full power, large steering input and without large slippage I just flicking between 2wd and 4wd without clutch; the gears are all running at same speed (as the wheels are) so the synch take care of it. Do this when the snow level varies on the road. If I am already slipping then it is a clutch job. Sure MB used to train you to do this when the salesmen were a-selling?

Between High and Low there is a Neutral so you have to put the clutch in.

It is all about mechanical empathy... coarse and hard will break anything!

marcus
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Re: Changing from 2WD to 4WD (W460)

i bin engaging & disengaging 4WD "on the fly" depending whether on solid white snow/ice or bare blacktop ie side road vis-a-vis main road.
On the 461 auto i have found it simply slips in, need to stop......ASSUMING the rear wheels are not spinning when attempting to engage.
I found though that it does not want to disengage
unless steering lock or brakes applied ( sharp dab)
Yes Hi low low hi is a different op
but mechanical empathy rules

Grecian
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Re: Changing from 2WD to 4WD (W460)

marcus wrote:

mechanical empathy rules

There's a bumper sticker for you!

Jdring
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Re: Changing from 2WD to 4WD (W460)

Great thanks - been trying this more. Its a lot simpler just using it without a de-clutch even. Doesn't seem to disengage 4WD until the revs or speed drops or a gear change, but its so seamless its difficult to tell. With limited off-road opportunity or need, my 460 is in 2WD almost all the time. The recent snow has been great practice for 4x4.
Just spoken to mechanic who is going to sort my diff-locks next.

mortinson
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Re: Changing from 2WD to 4WD (W460)

I drive my G off the road exactly as Leeu does: using my G as if it had 10 forward speeds and using the transfer case lever in conjunction with the one of the main gearbox exactly as if I did only use the latter. My G is a 463 -permanent 4wd- Manual so same thing could be done, if needed, on tarmac.

For automatics, however, is a bit more difficult because to be able to change betwen Hi- and Low- and 2wd and 4wd you need to put the box in Neutral and only once the change in the transferbox has been made can the lever be returned to Drive, so you are liblke to lose some momentum.

marcus
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Re: Changing from 2WD to 4WD (W460)

Yep Jesus
That is very bloody annoying, the losing momentum bit, due to having to go into nuetral, with the automatic
In the wee old red girl I found like yourself that one could treat it like an 8 speed, wonderfully slickly too.
Re empathy,
OBVIOUSLEY I backed off the throttle, subtly, to a "neutral" state, before changing.
Perhaps "intutive mechanical empathy rules"

290 gdt
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Re: Changing from 2WD to 4WD (W460)

I agree with Jesus and Marcus,
(I have similar car with Marcus) and so far nothing is broken!! Driven 50% off road (mud in the winder and sand in the summer).
Cheers Angelos