Here's the answer: You can use either "2WD" or "Auto" all the time. If you don't have any need for extra traction, using "2WD" may save a tiny bit of money on fuel and possibly some wear and tear on the four-wheel-drive components. "Auto" in your truck operates in two-wheel drive by default.
Although not always optimal for efficiency and wear of your vehicle 4wd driveline, AUTOMATIC 4 HI can be used on any road condition without risk of damaging your vehicle.
You should leave it in 2WD unless there is ice or snow on the road. If you live in a country where roads outside the city are mostly slow bumpy gravel or loose-dirt roads, then you should use 4WD and low speeds on those bad roads.
What Do You Need? For rain and very light snow, 2WD will probably work fine, and for most vehicles, front-wheel drive is the preferred setup and is likely to cost less than an equivalent AWD model. (For performance cars, RWD is preferred, but AWD, if available, can increase traction.)
Most four-wheel drive vehicles allow you to switch from 2WD to 4WD while the car is in motion, but only under certain circumstances. Take the following precautions when switching from 2WD to 4WD while moving: Reduce to a slow speed, never exceeding 60 mph. Make the switch while driving in a straight line.
Two-wheel drive vehicles are less expensive than four-wheel drive models. Two-wheel drive vehicles use less energy to power the wheels, so they are more fuel-efficient.
The main advantage of a 2WD drivetrain is the price. Vehicles with a 2WD drivetrain are much cheaper than their 4WD counterparts. 2WD pickup trucks also weigh less. The additional metal needed to build a 4-wheel-drive system weighs quite a bit, so a 2WD version of the same model will have a lower curb weight number.
Can you drive around Australia in a 2WD? It is possible to drive around Australia in a 2WD because highway 1 is a network of sealed roads. Some overlanders would argue that the best parts of Australia can only be reached via rough terrain and therefor you need a 4x4 but that is up to you to decide.
Many popular routes throughout Australia can be done with a 2WD vehicle like a campervan. However, there are some road safety regulations to be aware of when renting a travel van with Britz. Some unsealed roads aren't accessible in a 2WD and require a 4WD to access, especially in the outback.
During acceleration, an all-wheel drive can give a vehicle the most forward traction. Therefore, the AWD system is the best choice if you expect to drive in sloppy road conditions regularly.
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) The biggest difference is that 2WD will send power to two wheels, while 4WD uses all four wheels. 2WD vehicles are excellent at driving on dry, flat roads and they can be more affordable than 4WD and AWD vehicles, which often carry a premium price tag and tend to be slightly less fuel efficient.
The short answer to this question is yes: relative to 2WD vehicles, you are going to use more fuel in a 4WD. The reasons for this are very simple, boiling down to weight, friction, and demands on the engine. Typical all terrain 4WD vehicles are generally larger and therefore heavier than a standard 2WD sedan.
Good news! You can convert your 2WD F150 to a 4WD. However, it's not a quick fix you can complete in your own garage. After all, you'll have to switch out the output shaft, transmission, wiring, shifter, and a long list of other truck parts.
So, while the vehicle can do that speed, it may not make sense to do it. On dirt roads or snowy motorways, it is better to stick to a speed of around 30-40mph while in 4WD. When conditions get better, switch back to 2WD and stick to the speed limit.
Unfortunately, driving in 4WD uses more gas than 2WD, simply because more components are used within a 4WD system. More components mean more fuel to power the drivetrain, which leads to increased gas consumption.
Vehicles equipped with AWD or 4WD generally suffer a fuel economy penalty due to the extra weight and mechanical resistance of the equipment needed to turn all four wheels. In some cases, the reduction in gas mileage is small but can add up over time.
In a 2WD vehicle, you are limited to driving on bitumen and on good condition gravel roads. Whilst Australia has a number of bitumen roads, they only cover a very small percentage of the total land area. If you want to explore beyond the bitumen, or the tracks less travelled, you need a 4WD.
To sum up, if you're planning on off-roading, and want the stability and ruggedness of a 4X4, go for it. However, if you're looking for a reliable city run around, perhaps a two-wheel drive will serve you perfectly fine with regards to your driving needs. The Royal Automobile Club of WA, 2 wheel drive Vs 4 wheel drive.
What to drive. You don't need a 4WD to drive around Australia, but you do need low range gearing to reach some of the most beautiful bits, because the really wild, wondrous places are almost always in out of the way places.
Which direction should you take on your drive around Australia? If it's winter when you start, head north; if it's summer, head south. Whether you drive clockwise or anticlockwise really should depend on your starting point and the time of year.
A driver operating within the Australia Standard Hours of Service rules cannot drive more than 12 hours in a 24 hour period. A driver operating within the Australia Standard Hours of Service rules must take a mandatory 15 minute break prior to the completion of 5.5 hours of continuous work.
AWD or 4WD models generally cost more than equivalent two-wheel-drive models. Many SUVs are offered in the same model grade but with the option of 2WD or A/4WD.
2WD automobiles are typically used for smaller city use. They are in fact the most conventional vehicles on-road today. They aren't intended to be used in off-roading drives. FWD cars are good for city roads that gain steep elevations since the power to the front wheels rams the car forward.
RWD, predominant into the mid-1980s, is now generally reserved for higher-end and sportier cars, as well as pickups and off-road-oriented SUVs. Most new passenger cars come standard with FWD because it typically results in improved fuel efficiency.