Hi guys, what are your thoughts on running in 4x4 all of the time. From what I understand the front wheels don't kick in unless the rear ones slip anyway, so is there a downside to running 4x4 all of the time?

Thanks, Lou

 

not really any down side maybe little harder on gas

 

only downside would depend on your riding style. If you try to slide around a corner under power the front might engage and catch traction making handling a bit tricky.

But if you just ride easy it wouldn't be an issue.

 

Kinda what I was thinking. Thanks Guys.

 

Depends on what type of terrain you're riding on. If its an easy trail, you won't need 4x4 anyway. If it looks tougher, might be a good idea. It basically kicks in whenever the rear tires loose traction so basically would take some of the fun factor away when maybe you don't want 4x4. On an older machine that obviously doesn't have power steering, I wouldn't want to use 4x4 unless I needed it. It makes steering a lot heavier.

 

I don't think there is any problem running the Polaris system in 4 wheel drive all the time. I've owned a number of Polaris ATVs and UTVs. The last few UTVs, a 2015 Fox Edition and a 2016 XP Turbo, were desert raced in local races. Those UTVs have enough power that rear tire spin decreases handling when you're on the gas hard all the time. So I ran them in 4 wheel drive for the entire race, for several races. All total well over a thousand miles of very very hard use, all in 4 wheel drive, with no problems from the drivetrain. There was a torn off skid plate, some flat tires, bent wheels, and a bent front lower a-arm from hitting a rock, but no problems from the 4 wheel drive system.

 

Running with the switch on ALL the time will cause a little extra wear on the armature plate(s) and can cause them to become magnetized if left on continuously but because the machine remains in 2x4 until the rears slip there is no effect on other parts, steering effort or mpg. The best practice is to run in 2x4 while on the road or easy level trails to allow the AWD components to "rest". As soon as you turn off road or onto trickier trails just flip the switch on and forget about it.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

 

From what I've read, if the armature plates get magnetized from it being in 4WD all the time, it's possible for one or both hubs to randomly lock in. I wouldn't want that to happen, but I rode a lot of miles on my '97 Sportsman 500 before I knew that and never had a problem. I ride with my 4x4 turned off now. If I see something ahead where I could use 4WD, I flip the switch on.

 

Thank, again guys, I think I will just put it in 4 wheel when it is needed.

Lou