One of the features of a Jeep wrangler is its ability to drive anywhere be it unpaved road, pavement or snowy road.
You can drive your jeep wrangler in 4 High, 4 Low or Auto as the case may be. In this article, we shall be discussing the jeep wrangler 4 High vs. 4 Low
The Jeep Wrangler is designed with a short wheelbase, highly flexible suspension, and a powerful transmission.
How you drive your jeep sometimes depends on the condition of the road which might propel that you drive in 4 High or 4 Low.
Simply put, the 4 H or 4L denotes that your car is in 4WD mode. When you drive at 4H, it signifies you’re travelling at a normal speed but require a bit extra traction, such as on dirt roads, or snowy roads.
On slick surfaces, your front wheels and tires will add traction to increase your vehicle’s stability. When driving at 4L, the vehicle may handle difficult terrain more readily without putting undue strain on the gearbox.
There isn’t much difference between these two. The gear ratio is the only variation between 4 high and 4 low.
Because each gear selection has a distinct purpose, you must understand how to distinguish between them and when to use them.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Jeep Wrangler choices when driving in 4H or 4L, keep reading to learn more.
Contents
Jeep wrangler 4 high vs. low high
- Gear ratio
Your vehicle’s acceleration will be improved if you use a higher gear ratio. By reducing engine RPM at highway speeds; a lower gear ratio can reduce fuel mileage.
When the road surface becomes slick and the risk of losing grip on your wheels grows, it is better to use 4-H to accelerate all four wheels. For maximum traction and power efficiency, 4-L employs low-range gear ratios in the transfer box.
- Type of road
4-Low should only be used at low speed when navigating over challenging terrains such as:
Sand or muddy roads, while 4 High can be driven on terrains like Icy or Snowy roads.
- Shifting gears
The ring and pinion gears in the Jeep determine how your axles are geared. The number of times your driveshaft must revolve to spin the wheels is determined by the gears.
You can easily switch from 4H to 4L that’s when you need maximum traction. All you need to do is to shift into neutral and pull the lever back.
Is it better to drive in 4 high or 4 low?
The answer to this question dependent on the state of the road. It is considered preferable to drive in 4 high than 4 low if you are travelling at a high pace. However, you should maintain a speed of 55 miles per hour, which is the suggested speed limit.
So, when should you use the 4 low?
When you need maximum traction and power at slower speeds, such as on the rough ground, you should utilize this position.
The lower gear ratio engages your front and rear wheels in low range, resulting in a slower road speed and more torque.
How fast can you go in 4 high Jeep Wrangler?
It is not recommended that you exceed 55 mph (88 km/h). Driving above the speed limit may cause harm to your vehicle. Although the traction control will keep your Jeep from skidding off the road;
you must maintain a speed of at least 45 miles per hour. When driving a 4 high jeep wrangler, check your car manual to see what km/h you should be using.
Is it okay to drive in auto 4WD on the highway?
Unless you are travelling at a moderate pace, driving in auto 4WD on highway may not be fully safe. When the Auto 4WD is selected, your vehicle will transition to 4WD as needed. The question is, how do you know if your jeep is 4WD or not?
When you see a shaft that runs into a box in the back and then out to the wheels, then you should know its 4WD.
Is it bad to drive in 4WD all the time?
Most Jeeps have a four-wheel drive (4WD), but a few have an all-wheel-drive (AWD). All these methods work well in a variety of weather and road situations.
Driving in 4WD all the time may not appear to be a good idea, but you can do so as long as you drive slowly.
Can I put my jeep in 4WD while driving?
The engine transmits power to the transmission, which is then shared between the front and rear axles when 4WD is engaged. The torque is delivered to the wheels, but the car cannot move until the wheels have traction on the road.
You can put or convert your Jeep to 4WD, but make sure you don’t go faster than 55 mph, which is the speed limit. When driving in 4 high, this is the fastest you should go. Driving faster than this could cause harm to your 4×4 system.
Can I use 4WD on wet pavement?
On dry pavement, 4WD vehicles are not designed to be driven. When driving on wet pavement, you should be extreme careful.
You must understand that driving on wet pavement can cause the tires to gain excessive traction and may cause the vehicle to slip off the road.
As a result, when driving 4WD on wet pavement, you should drive in 4Low, especially if traction is poor.
Each four-wheel-drive system has its own set of rules regarding how to activate and disengage it, as well as when the vehicle can be operated in 4WD mode. You can drive in 4WD on pavement if you’re making short journeys.
There will be no swerving around the corners. Sensors in cars with real all-wheel drive allow all four wheels to move at separate speeds.
However, if the road is extremely slick, power will only be distributed to one wheel. Power is distributed evenly between the front and rear axles in true 4X4 vehicles.
Should I use 4H or 4L in the snow?
When driving on snowy roads, it’s recommended to choose the 4 high setting, which sends power to all four wheels, increasing traction and lowering the chance of slipping and spinning wheels.
The Jeep Wrangler has a flexible suspension that allows you to drive on snowy or icy roads with ease. So, it is advisable to switch to 4High because it handles snowy and rocky roads better.
So, which one is better, using 4H or 4L?
You should use 4WD high if you are driving on a snowy paved road at a high speed but with low traction. While you should apply 4WD Low in a situation when you are driving on a muddy road.
Does 4H use more gas?
Yes! is the unmistakable answer. This is because 4WD and AWD systems demand more gasoline due to their increased power and weight, making them less efficient.
Weight boosts traction and control while also lengthening the braking distance required to come to a complete halt.
You’re spinning a lot more heavy metal in 4WD. It takes more power to get those extra gears and drive shafts spinning and keep them spinning, lowering your gas mileage. However, to avoid spending much on gas, simply Turn off 4WD.
When should I use 4 wheel drive?
Four-wheel drive is generally ideal for rough roads, snowy conditions. 4WD vehicles often have three driving modes: 4H, 4L, and Auto.
Four-wheel drive, or 4×4, allows a vehicle’s engine to transfer power to all four wheels improving traction and steering control.
Conclusion
The Jeep Wrangler can drive through rough roads. While driving, you can switch to high, low or auto, however; it depends on the road situation.
When you need extra traction, 4H is employed for normal-speed driving. On steep inclines and drops, deep muck, or sand, and severely rocky ground, 4L is the gear to choose.
Low-range driving, which uses a lower gear ratio, is used to drive both the front and rear wheels.
Most Jeeps have front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive, which means power, is sent to the front or back wheels, appropriately.
Jeep owners can choose between 4WD high and 4WD low ranges on most 4WD systems. The decision to choose high or low range is based on the driving conditions.
Generally, 4WD does not improve braking performance or provide greater stability in turns when braking. As a result, slow down and brake sooner when turning. If you’re not sure, contact your auto mechanic.
4H is best for paved or snowy roads because it allows faster speeds and less traction. While Off-roading circumstances, such as deep sand or muddy roads, require a 4WD low range.
Each gear selection has a distinct function; understanding their functions is very important and in case you don’t know when to use any of them, please check your car manual.
References
https://www.tirebuyer.com/education/jeep-gearing-low-and-high
https://fourwheeltrends.com/how-fast-can-you-drive-in-4×4-high-ford-jeep-chevy-ram-toyota/
https://www.jeep.com/4×4/faq-and-glossary.html
https://www.autosimple.com/blog/four-wheel-drive-4wd-advantages-disadvantages/
https://vehq.com/is-driving-in-four-wheel-drive-on-a-highway-safe/
https://4wheeldriveguide.com/the-difference-between-4wd-hi-and-4wd-low-fully-explained/
https://www.ridgebackbodies.com.au/can-i-drive-in-4wd-all-the-time/
https://www.tiresplus.com/blog/driving/how-to-use-4-wheel-drive/