4 wheel drive question

[rob381]

Hi guys, I have a 54 plate 2.0 GV and have used the 4 wheel drive option once and that was when I parked on a soft field. I see that reading on the forum you should only use the 4 wheel drive option in difficult driving conditions. Over the snowy period of recent, I used the option on snow covered Tarmac and I used it to get off the estate because the road was covered in thick compact snow which had frozen. The option was also used on slushy snowy roads. I read that using the option on dry Tarmac roads can cause transmission problems. My question is to all you experienced Suzuki owners is when is it safe to use the option for non off roaders. Thanks guys.

[Darrell]

Not sure if I fully understand the question , but non offroaders that have 4wd also have a centre differential so don't suffer any problems.
Suzuki didn't fit this until the 2006 model I think.

[rob381]

Sorry about the non off road bit, I mean't that I don't drive off road, mine is purely a road vehicle un less I sometimes park on soft grass. My question is,when is safe and not safe to use the 4wheel drive option because I'm a little confused.

[Darrell]

Safe to use on any loose slippery surface. Sounds like your using it fine

[Anton]

Yeah, if there's loads of grip, then always use 2wd. If you are in conditions where your wheels could slip, then go 4wd, but go back to 2wd as soon as the road conditions improve. If you find it difficult to get out of 4wd, then reverse a little and try again.

If you're having trouble making forward progress in 2wd, then it should be slippery enough that 4wd won't cause any damage.

I once drove on the road in 4wd by mistake, and found that putting the two left wheels on the grass verge also made it easy to get out of 4wd - I guess because those wheels could slip and let the transmission "unwind".