How Fast Can You Drive in 4Lo? The Crucial Truth for Every Off-Roader!
When driving in 4-Lo, do not exceed 10mph. Low-traction, rocky, and uneven surfaces require controlled, slow-speed driving. 10mph is the maximum recommended speed for challenging off-road tracks in low-range.
When I initially started offroading I wasn’t always sure when to engage 4Lo and how fast I should drive in 4Lo before changing to 4H. Now, after 20+ years of owning a variety of 4x4s and gaining driving experience on different terrains, I know exactly when to select 4-Lo and when to engage 4H.
This comes with experience over time so it is very important to learn how to read terrain and know and work within the limitations of your offroad experience and your 4WD. This is key for the safeguarding of your vehicle, yourself, and your occupants.
Yes, 10mph is slow, but that’s exactly the point since we want slow, calculated, and precise control of our 4x4s while driving the right line. In my experience, I found in many instances with low-range driving, that you only have one opportunity to drive an obstacle, which means you want to have maximum control of your 4WD at all times. Very challenging obstacles that require 4Lo driving leave very little room for error, so when you attempt it, you have to commit and make sure you choose the correct line.
NB: A word of caution: Driving in 4Lo while attempting offroad obstacles can be very dangerous if you are inexperienced. Here, I would strongly suggest building up your experience first and limiting yourself to what you are comfortable with.
As initially mentioned, 4Lo is reserved for very challenging driving conditions where you need maximum torque and grip available immediately. Speed is not the most important factor but rather a precise, calculated measure of momentum to overcome the obstacle(s) ahead.
The next part of this article discusses when to engage 4×4 low and how the driving dynamics of your 4×4 are affected when we engage low range.
When should we engage 4Lo?
4×4 low should be selected when driving on challenging, low-traction surfaces such as:
| Terrain Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Snow tracks | Snow-covered areas with significant depth |
| Rocky surfaces | Uneven ground with rocky terrain |
| Thick sand | Sandy areas with loose, thick sand |
| Deep Mud | Areas with deep, muddy conditions |
| Steep inclines | Sloping terrain with steep uphill inclines |
| Steep declines | Sloping terrain with steep downhill declines |
The above-mentioned surfaces are all low-traction environments that require absolute vehicle control. How fast you can drive is not always important under these conditions, except maybe in deep dunes where enough momentum and timing are key.
4Lo is engaged when you need to acquire and maintain traction combined with maximum power availability to overcome an offroad obstacle
Remember to decrease your speed to 5mph before engaging 4-Lo when shifting from 4H to 4-Lo while driving.
Before attempting any obstacle that requires 4Lo, take the time to first assess the terrain. This is done by walking the obstacle(s) first. A general rule is if it is walkable, it’s likely drivable in 4Lo. Walking a challenging obstacle first allows you to pick your exact driving line based on your vehicle’s capabilities, ground clearance, wheelbase, tires, and your driving skills.
When I was inexperienced and unsure of which driving line to take, I would watch other 4WDs drive the obstacle first. This gave me the opportunity to observe how it’s done and assess the level of success the other drivers had.
HOW 4LO CHANGES THE VEHICLES DRIVING DYNAMICS
- 4Lo uses low-ratio gears inside the transfer case.
- 4Lo results in higher engine revs and immediate torque availability
- 4Lo keeps the engine revs up and in the power band making it harder to stall.
- 4Lo speed should be limited to around 10mph or less.
- If the terrain allows a faster, more comfortable drive without risking vehicle damage, switch to 4H.
What Happens When We Drive Fast In 4×4 Low
Engaging 4×4 low at higher speeds is not recommended. Driving in 4Lo for extended periods keeps the engine revs high, and if engine cooling is insufficient you risk potentially harming the engine and turbo components. Diesel engines are particularly sensitive to EGT (Exhaust Gas Temperature) levels which should be monitored closely when doing extensive 4Lo driving. Maintaining high EGT levels for extended periods could cause catastrophic engine damage on a diesel vehicle.
Driving fast for extended periods in 4Lo makes for a very unpleasant driving experience. If it is safe to do so, rather engage 4H and reduce speed for better results.
Driving in 4×4 Low
The driving dynamics of your 4WD are transformed drastically when you are driving in 4-Lo mode. When you drive in 4-Lo, all four wheels are being powered. 4Lo uses low-ratio gearing from the transfer case to send maximum torque to all 4 wheels.
- Wheel rotation speed is reduced when 4×4 low is engaged
- Engine power and torque are more readily available.
- Older, more traditional 4x4s have a stubby gear lever located next to the main transmission shifter to engage 4Lo.
- Very old 4x4s require you to physically exit the vehicle to manually lock the front hubs by hand before engaging 4Lo.
Today, sophisticated 4WDs allow you to switch between 4Lo, 4H, and 2H on the fly with a turn of a dial. Hooray for technology!!!
In many modern 4x4s, you can switch from 2H to 4H and back to 2H while driving at speeds up to 55mph, however, to engage 4Lo you have to decrease your speed to safely switch from 4H to 4Lo.
Sand Driving in 4Lo
Most light sand conditions can be successfully driven in 4H. Once the terrain and sand become very thick and deep it places a lot of strain on your transmission and clutch system. This is when you engage 4×4 low-range and select a lower gear such as 2nd or 3rd gear.
- You want to maintain your momentum but only drive as fast as necessary.
- When you need to climb out of high dunes you’ll need to engage 4WD high and use a lower gear such as 2nd or 3rd depending on the size of the dune and the looseness of the sand.
- You will need a higher speed and good momentum on your side to successfully climb out of the dune.
Sand driving is a bit of an art and the correct gear ratio will largely depend on the sand conditions, your tires, engine power, as well as your vehicle’s gear ratios. Also, Petrol vs diesel engines behave differently as well as automatic vs. manual transmissions. Tire size and tire pressure are also vital considerations when driving on the sand with your 4×4.
Selecting 4-Lo on Loose Rocks
Rock crawling is a very technical aspect of 4×4 driving and requires a lot of patience and skill. Speed is not your friend when driving in 4-Lo on rocks.
More important than speed is vehicle control, maintaining traction, driving line, and decent ground clearance.
More important than speed is vehicle control, maintaining traction, driving line, and ground clearance. All these factors will collectively contribute to an enjoyable rock-crawling experience.
- Excessive momentum while rock crawling in 4×4 low will only cause damage to your drivetrain, body panels, and undercarriage components.
- Again, in this situation, you want to maintain a slow but steady pace and allow the tires to grip at the correct places by always keeping the tires on the high side to avoid bashing drivetrain components or getting hung up on a rock.
- Make sure you have an experienced spotter to assist you to pic the best driving line.
- You must trust and obey your spotter at all times.
Driving 4×4 Low Up Steep Hills
When driving up a steep uneven hill with low traction you will need a combination of momentum, speed, and good traction at all times. Again, you want to ensure you walk the track or hill first and choose the correct driving line based on your vehicle’s dimensions and ground clearance.
You will need to use a bit of speed but not too much since the danger of vehicle damage and roll-overs is always present.
- Engage your 4×4 low and drive at a speed that suits the surface.
- Slippery surfaces will require more momentum so in the event, that traction is lost, the momentum can carry you a bit.
- Choosing the correct driveline is probably the single most important aspect of climbing out a steep slippery uneven hill in 4×4 low.
Real-World Reddit/Forum Feedback
4lo should really not exceed 10-15mph max. 4hi should be between 50-55mph.
https://www.4runners.com/threads/max-speed-in-4lo.28869/
driving over 15 MPH in 4L is a really, really bad idea. Even in 4H on snow packed roads I am not going to be driving fast at all.
https://www.reddit.com/r/4Runner/comments/s5fjr4/how_fast_do_you_guys_drive_in_4x4/
Helpful Resources
- https://www.reddit.com/r/4Runner/comments/s5fjr4/how_fast_do_you_guys_drive_in_4x4
- https://www.4runners.com/threads/max-speed-in-4lo.28869/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/4Runner/comments/s5fjr4/how_fast_do_you_guys_drive_in_4x4/
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, certain off-road situations require you to use enough momentum when you are driving in 4-Lo. This is entirely up to the discretion of the driver and the capabilities and physical dimensions of his 4×4. When you engage 4-Lo your main purpose should not be speed but rather control, traction, and driving line. 10mph is the recommended maximum speed to drive when 4×4 lo is engaged.
