Drive Modes question

[BigHead]

While driving my new truck, it started raining. I was doing 65 on a freeway.

I thought to myself "hey I'll try out the rain/wet drive mode". I didn't realize that this drive mode would put the truck in 4 wheel high. Was it safe to do this while the truck was traveling that fast?

I hope ford wouldn't allow you to do it if it would break anything. For instance, I know the rear locker requires you to be traveling less than 20mph for it to allow you to do it.

Hope I didn't mess anything up?

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[FtS]

You are fine, shouldn’t worry about 4A. There is a nice explanation of drive modes here, although it is for Gen 2 Raptor, should hold true for Gen 3 F150 in general terms:

https://www.fordraptorforum.com/thr...odes-handling-characteristics-and-more.64484/

 

[Roady]

You are fine, shouldn’t worry about 4A. There is a nice explanation of drive modes here, although it is for Gen 2 Raptor, should hold true for Gen 3 F150 in general terms:

https://www.fordraptorforum.com/thr...odes-handling-characteristics-and-more.64484/

He's driving a STX. Correct me if I am wrong but he does not have 4 auto as you stated. I have a XLT and I see no option for 4WD auto on mine. I believe that is only available on Lariat and above.

 

[BigHead]

He's driving a STX. Correct me if I am wrong but he does not have 4 auto as you stated. I have a XLT and I see no option for 4WD auto on mine. I believe that is only available on Lariat and above.

Yes that's correct. When I switched to rain/slick mode it out the truck in 4H, not 4 auto? Am I okay?

 

[xtraman122]

Yes that's correct. When I switched to rain/slick mode it out the truck in 4H, not 4 auto? Am I okay?

Yes, it’s fine to go into 4H while traveling, and you’re correct that the truck won’t allow you to do something it doesn’t want, like shifting into 4L while going those speeds.

 

[BigHead]

Yes, it’s fine to go into 4H while traveling, and you’re correct that the truck won’t allow you to do something it doesn’t want, like shifting into 4L while going those speeds.

Thank God. I figured as much but wanted to be sure. Thank you very much for the reassurance

 

[xtraman122]

Thank God. I figured as much but wanted to be sure. Thank you very much for the reassurance

I thought I remember seeing somewhere where it gave a specific speed it was safe to shift at, but you’re definitely fine. Here’s the excerpt from the 2021 manual where they don’t even say any speed limit, they just say it’s fine to do while at a stop or driving. 4L requires 3mph or less and to be in Neutral.
https://www.fordservicecontent.com/...&userMarket=USA&div=f&vFilteringEnabled=False

 

[Harlemox]

As the other posters have stated, 4H is fine at speed. The only thing to make sure of is the fact that you did not make any turns on pavement/grippy surfaces when in 4H, as this causes your drivetrain to bind. Generally when this happens you'll feel/hear your tires skipping and hopping as they are the "weakest" thing to give, but you generally don't want this kind of stress on your drivetrain in general.

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