Driving a 2019 L200 in 4H mode

[TorqueDirty]

Hi Folks,

We have an Mitsubishi L200 (2019 version) and live in the wet and windy Scottish countryside.

A while ago we were advised by the dealer not to drive it in 4h all the time - which for us basically defeats the purpose of having the truck at all.

The roads here are always slippery and in 2h mode (it is RWD only then) the bloody thing is like a drift car - back end steps out without any provocation and is frankly a pain. No surprise really as it is about a mile long and all the weight is at the front.

Is there REALLY any reason why these cars can't be used in 4h mode normally. I have heard conflicting info. I struggle to believe that in this day and age a modern 4wd truck can't be driven in 4wd mode for anything other than short bursts.

When in 4h the car drives soooo much better and with winter approaching I'm tempted just to stick in 4h and leave it there - as we did for about 6 months when we first got the car. For clarity we are not locking diffs or anything silly, just engaging 4wd

Someone else we know who has one always used 4h and had no idea that there was a recommendation to use 2h for normal driving.

Is this just poorly informed dealer bullst, or will the thing detonate the moment we use it for the purpose we bought it for?

[Flog123]

As long as it has the 'super select 4wd' system then it can be left in 4h permanently. ( 2h,4h 4hlc & 4llc)

[TorqueDirty]

Flog123 said:

As long as it has the 'super select 4wd' system then it can be left in 4h permanently. ( 2h,4h 4hlc & 4llc)

Yes that is what it has.

This type of selector right?

[Flog123]

Thats the one.

Nearly 41000 miles in 4h, only put in 2wd for short bursts to 'make sure the shifter get used'

[Walter Sobchak]

If it has the Super Select system like the Shogun it has a centre diff and can be run in 4H all the time, leaving the selector there is essentially the same as a Lane Rover,Landcruiser etc which are permanent AWD, 2H disables drive to the front prop and has a very negligible impact on fuel economy.
If it doesn’t have a centre diff then it can only be run in 4H off road or in slippy conditions not on tarmac otherwise you’ll get transmission wind up and wreck it, I think the dealer was probably misinformed as yours looks like it has superselect, put in 4H and forget about it.

[TorqueDirty]

Well it is back in 4h and it now feels like the truck that I wanted (and remembered) before the helpful mechanic misinformed my wife. He freaked her out with tales of impending transmission detonation etc

Should have gone with my instincts and just left it in 4h in the first place.

I was getting ready to be shot of it to be replaced by a Ranger Rover etc but I think I'll just keep it now and spend the cash on a fast Audi estate instead (with Quattro of course!)

[300bhp/ton]

TorqueDirty said:

Should have gone with my instincts and just left it in 4h in the first place.

Of course a basic understanding of the drivetrain of the vehicle you bought would have also given you all the answers you needed

Also that little thing called RTFM

https://lmgtfy.app/?q=rtfm+meaning

[TorqueDirty]

300bhp/ton said:

Of course a basic understanding of the drivetrain of the vehicle you bought would have also given you all the answers you needed

Also that little thing called RTFM

https://lmgtfy.app/?q=rtfm+meaning

Helpful, thanks! Having owned a defender, a discovery 2 and also currently having a landcruiser I do just about get the basics of a 4wd drivetrain - hence the incredulity that the l200 could not be run in 4h.

The l200 is a lease car that my wife uses most of the time whilst I slum it in the old Land Cruiser (or work abroad) so never paid that much attention frankly.

Still at least she got to save about 0.00001p per mile on fuel whilst honing her drifting technique for a while.

More a matter of DLTTFDOYW really

[Mammasaid]

TorqueDirty said:

Helpful, thanks! Having owned a defender, a discovery 2 and also currently having a landcruiser I do just about get the basics of a 4wd drivetrain - hence the incredulity that the l200 could not be run in 4h.

The l200 is a lease car that my wife uses most of the time whilst I slum it in the old Land Cruiser (or work abroad) so never paid that much attention frankly.

Still at least she got to save about 0.00001p per mile on fuel whilst honing her drifting technique for a while.

More a matter of DLTTFDOYW really

Having leased one myself, I'd concur about running in 4H most of the time on slippery surfaces. It did feel more planted that way. Having the ability to switch on the fly was great and I'd only run in 2H on the motorway.

[Highland_ADV]

Is there any reason why you wouldn’t use it in 4H on the motorway? I was wondering if it would be any good as a tow vehicle?

[Mammasaid]

Highland_ADV said:

Is there any reason why you wouldn’t use it in 4H on the motorway? I was wondering if it would be any good as a tow vehicle?

Fuel economy, however it's fine as a tow vehicle, it'll pull a loaded cattle trailer with no problems.