question about diving in 4wd on the highway

[Jocko PDX]

Yesterday I drove back from a ski trip in my 2023 Denali and forgot to remove it from 4wd when I got out of the snow. I wound up driving about 60 miles at 50-70 mph in 4wd back home. Is this bad for the rig? I know it is not ideal, but do I risk damage of any kind when this happens?

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

Not ideal, probably added a little wear to your tires, and a little stress on front and rear diff, and CV joints. If the road was mostly straight, probably a non issue.

 

[swathdiver]

What Mike said!

 

[exp500]

Diving on Hiway always dangerous, 4wd or not!

 

[Jocko PDX]

I wish the 4WD "on" indication on the dash were bigger. It certainly does not stand out. Can I make it pop up on the HUD?

 

[EducatorDan]

4wd AUTO or 4WD - High?

 

[Doubeleive]

Yesterday I drove back from a ski trip in my 2023 Denali and forgot to remove it from 4wd when I got out of the snow. I wound up driving about 60 miles at 50-70 mph in 4wd back home. Is this bad for the rig? I know it is not ideal, but do I risk damage of any kind when this happens?

your fine, you would have noticed it was engaged had you made a turn off the highway when the wheels started to bind on a turn.
going straight or slight turn is fine. no harm no foul.

 

[dancastro]

Agree with Walleye Mike....he seems to be the Yoda of the forum!

 

[Marky Dissod]

Yesterday I drove back from a ski trip in my 2023 Denali and forgot to remove it from 4wd when I got out of the snow.
I wound up driving about 60 miles at 50-70 mph in 4wd back home. Is this bad for the rig?
I know it is not ideal, but do I risk damage of any kind when this happens?

Short answer:

Not ideal, probably added a little wear to your tires, and a little stress on front and rear diff, and CV joints.
If the road was mostly straight, probably a non issue.

Longer answer?
First you answer two questions:

4wd AUTO, or 4WD - High?

Auto 4WD would be better.
Assuming you went with 4Hi ...

you're fine, you'd've noticed it was engaged had you made a turn off the highway when the wheels started to bind on a turn.
going straight or slight turn is fine. no harm no foul.

You asked if you risked
DAMAGE
when this happens.
If it still works, you WORE it more than you should have, but did not damage it, per se.
If it does not work properly, well, there's your answer.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

I wish the 4WD "on" indication on the dash were bigger. It certainly does not stand out. Can I make it pop up on the HUD?

No way to get drive mode on the hud, I don’t think. Depending on which dash config you choose, the drive mode indicator moves…but it’s still small…it would be ideal if it changed color when in 4WD, agree.

You know now, bet you don’t do again. Grandpa always said, “Good judgement comes from experience. Experience, comes from bad judgement.”

 

[Jocko PDX]

4wd AUTO or 4WD - High?

4wd high

 

[Jocko PDX]

No way to get drive mode on the hud, I don’t think. Depending on which dash config you choose, the drive mode indicator moves…but it’s still small…it would be ideal if it changed color when in 4WD, agree.

You know now, bet you don’t do again. Grandpa always said, “Good judgement comes from experience. Experience, comes from bad judgement.”

it does not even appear that the 4wd button lights up when you push it..

 

[that331racer]

Yesterday I drove back from a ski trip in my 2023 Denali and forgot to remove it from 4wd when I got out of the snow. I wound up driving about 60 miles at 50-70 mph in 4wd back home. Is this bad for the rig? I know it is not ideal, but do I risk damage of any kind when this happens?

I did this with my Tahoe, except in auto, but it would keep It in four wheel. I did for far too long, but I somehow don't have any damage to the transfer case.

 

[2591tdj]

Yesterday I drove back from a ski trip in my 2023 Denali and forgot to remove it from 4wd when I got out of the snow. I wound up driving about 60 miles at 50-70 mph in 4wd back home. Is this bad for the rig? I know it is not ideal, but do I risk damage of any kind when this happens?

You would have noticed it if you did severe damage. I inadvertently drove my Z-71 45 miles on paved roads at highway speeds in 4Hi, including several stops and 90 degree turns. It made a loud noise when I turned into my driveway. I had destroyed the front diff!

 

[91RS]

Do you have any new noise that wasn’t there before if you drive in auto? If not, you may have dodged a bullet but there is a pretty good chance you caused damage driving in 4 HI.

 

[Mullyman]

Bring back the AWD option!

 

[Jocko PDX]

Do you have any new noise that wasn’t there before if you drive in auto? If not, you may have dodged a bullet but there is a pretty good chance you caused damage driving in 4 HI.

no new noises seems fine