When I bought my '01 QX4, the gal I bought it from had the wheel drive selector set to 2H. She said other than for skiing where she set it to 4H, she never touched the dial.
The bolded label on the dial (which I assume indicates the default) is "Auto" not 2H. "Auto" is positioned at the top of the dial between 2H & 4H. (e.g. 2H, Auto, 4H, 4L)
Where do most people leave this set and why?
Thanks!!
2H or Auto?
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Buzzman
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2023 Kia Stinger Elite V6 AWD.
Re: 2H or Auto?
2H is rear wheel drive only. That would normally be your default.
Auto means the truck will transfer drive to the front wheels if the back wheels lose traction.
4H is full time 4 wheel drive, and should not be used on dry roads.
4L is like the old bull low. Rock climber setting only.
I drive in rear wheel mode 90% of the time, but switch to Auto in snow or wet/rainy weather.
If I get 10 inches of snow on my street, and they haven't plowed it yet, I switch to 4H, and drive up and down the street creating tracks for other people.
That's the fun stuff.
Auto means the truck will transfer drive to the front wheels if the back wheels lose traction.
4H is full time 4 wheel drive, and should not be used on dry roads.
4L is like the old bull low. Rock climber setting only.
I drive in rear wheel mode 90% of the time, but switch to Auto in snow or wet/rainy weather.
If I get 10 inches of snow on my street, and they haven't plowed it yet, I switch to 4H, and drive up and down the street creating tracks for other people.
That's the fun stuff.
Re: 2H or Auto?
Unless you are off-roading, there are few situations where you would need 4H, let alone 4L. I use 2wd 98% of the time. If I get stuck, I turn it to auto and 100% of the time, I get out of trouble.
You are lucky that you bought the car from someone who knew what they were doing. Some people put it in 4H and 4L on pavement or roads that really aren't all that slippery and it causes unnecessary stress to the drivetrain.
You are lucky that you bought the car from someone who knew what they were doing. Some people put it in 4H and 4L on pavement or roads that really aren't all that slippery and it causes unnecessary stress to the drivetrain.
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Wild Ferenc
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- Car: Infiniti Qx4 1997
Re: 2H or Auto?
Hi!
Such parties do not really have a car (Budapest, Hungary) 1998 Qx4 mine.
I do not know anyone to ask, but you will certainly have a godolom who knows the perfect answer. While driving to free the 2H switch to turn automatic position? I fear lest ruin. The answers thank you.
Such parties do not really have a car (Budapest, Hungary) 1998 Qx4 mine.
I do not know anyone to ask, but you will certainly have a godolom who knows the perfect answer. While driving to free the 2H switch to turn automatic position? I fear lest ruin. The answers thank you.
Re: 2H or Auto?
You can move the switch between 2WD and AUTO and 4H while vehicle is moving. In order to lock into 4LO, stop the vehicle, shift into Neutral, then move switch to 4LO. See owners manual for details. 4H is not meant for driving on dry roads for any distance. 2WD is for normal driving.
Re: 2H or Auto?
The answer is "AUTO"
This is an old thread -- brought back to life ...... but has incorrect information.
The Pathfinder LE's and Infininy Q's have an electric transfer case and associated controls to provide 4wd automatically when the electronics detect wheel slippage ... why would an owner want to disable this? Placing the car in 2H -- is turning the system off. 2H should really be called "off".
Driving on dry pavement with the switch in "AUTO" -- the transfer case is in the same position as it would be in "2H' ... the difference is in "2H" should you need 4wd as determined by the electronics .. it's not available. Unless the switch is in "AUTO" -- the system is not activated. On dry pavement the vehicle is operating the same -- no fuel is being saved with "2H" .
Leaving the car in "2H" ... negates the reason for the system? While the electric transfer case is easier vs the lesser models manual system -- the real reason for the car having it was to provide the auto 4wd when needed.
The Pathfinder/ Q .. is an odd duck ... very few vehicles have the old school 4WD setup and an auto transfer case. Back when the cars were new, many expensive vehicles were coming out with AWD... Nissan needed to be competitive with these more advanced vehicles in the upper end.
The Q's and LE were not inexpensive vehicles. They had a reputation for being tough and capable .... but they would have lost the higher end market without the auto transfer case and the electronics to give the 4WD when needed.
This is an old thread -- brought back to life ...... but has incorrect information.
The Pathfinder LE's and Infininy Q's have an electric transfer case and associated controls to provide 4wd automatically when the electronics detect wheel slippage ... why would an owner want to disable this? Placing the car in 2H -- is turning the system off. 2H should really be called "off".
Driving on dry pavement with the switch in "AUTO" -- the transfer case is in the same position as it would be in "2H' ... the difference is in "2H" should you need 4wd as determined by the electronics .. it's not available. Unless the switch is in "AUTO" -- the system is not activated. On dry pavement the vehicle is operating the same -- no fuel is being saved with "2H" .
Leaving the car in "2H" ... negates the reason for the system? While the electric transfer case is easier vs the lesser models manual system -- the real reason for the car having it was to provide the auto 4wd when needed.
The Pathfinder/ Q .. is an odd duck ... very few vehicles have the old school 4WD setup and an auto transfer case. Back when the cars were new, many expensive vehicles were coming out with AWD... Nissan needed to be competitive with these more advanced vehicles in the upper end.
The Q's and LE were not inexpensive vehicles. They had a reputation for being tough and capable .... but they would have lost the higher end market without the auto transfer case and the electronics to give the 4WD when needed.
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barnaclebob
- Posts: 249
- Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2015 2:55 pm
- Car: 2001 Pathfinder LE
2011 Altima SR
Re: 2H or Auto?
Mine stays in 2WD because Auto will sometimes engage 4wd on dry pavement for some reason. Its not worth trying to figure out why. I'll switch to auto for making quick turns onto wet roads where i might need to accelerate quickly to avoid wheel spin.
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sroberts
- Posts: 137
- Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2011 11:21 am
- Car: 2001 Pathfinder LE 4WD
- Location: Seneca, SC
Re: 2H or Auto?
Ha, thread was awoken by quite a poor translation. But for the record I've had my switch in AUTO for virtually all of the the 200k on the odometer. A while after I bought the PathFinder I ran in 2H for a couple hundred miles as a test to see if the gas mileage improved over AUTO but it did not. My switch has not seen the 2H setting since.
Re: 2H or Auto?
Barnaclebob: Do you have any codes showing -- or any issues with the anti-lock brakes? The system uses the anti-lock sensors.
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barnaclebob
- Posts: 249
- Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2015 2:55 pm
- Car: 2001 Pathfinder LE
2011 Altima SR
Re: 2H or Auto?
Nope, no codes and the anti lock brakes seem to activate on snow so I'm not sure what the deal is. All of the tires are the same and if i put it in auto it will start to shudder and vibrate around 60mph like if you drive it that fast in 4hi. Flip to 2wd and I get a clunk and the car is good again.yeldogt wrote:Barnaclebob: Do you have any codes showing -- or any issues with the anti-lock brakes? The system uses the anti-lock sensors.
Re: 2H or Auto?
You are wise to leave it alone 
Re: 2H or Auto?
My owners manual says 2WD is the "economy" setting. That should mean marginally better mpg and less wear and tear on your system.
Re: 2H or Auto?
My manual has no comment as to the electric transfer case equipment cars being "economy" in 2WD. Nothing changes inside the transfer case when going from 2WH to "AUTO" .. on dry pavement.
The Nissan V6 in the Pathfinder is not known for it's efficiency -- couple that to a 4 speed transmission (most being 5 back then) pushing a heavy vehicle -- with the aerodynamics of a brick. Even the 2WD cars did not get good MPG. Not sure why anyone would have wanted a 2WD new .. but they sold them. Add in the heavy duty 4WD truck type system .. and its a recipe for low MPG.
I bought mine new vs getting the larger 4runner. The pathfinder was a better car for times it was in the city. I bought the next two used, knowing the cars thirsty nature but offset by the low maintenance costs.
The Nissan V6 in the Pathfinder is not known for it's efficiency -- couple that to a 4 speed transmission (most being 5 back then) pushing a heavy vehicle -- with the aerodynamics of a brick. Even the 2WD cars did not get good MPG. Not sure why anyone would have wanted a 2WD new .. but they sold them. Add in the heavy duty 4WD truck type system .. and its a recipe for low MPG.
I bought mine new vs getting the larger 4runner. The pathfinder was a better car for times it was in the city. I bought the next two used, knowing the cars thirsty nature but offset by the low maintenance costs.
2014 Nissan Pathfinder SV, 2wd vs Auto
Hi! I just purchased a 2014 Pathfinder and I LOVE IT. I'm hoping it has less issues than my Patriot... That was a fun car to drive bc it was a manual and a beast in the snow, but every year something major came up!
My question is... I drive in 2wd normally, but today with some ice and a teensy bit of snow, I switched to auto. It was awesome. Very grippy! Is it harmful to keep the car in auto at all times? does it affect gas mileage immensely? Thank you in advance for your help! I apologize for the stupid question - the Pat just had 4x4 on or off... not the cool auto option the pathfinder has.
My question is... I drive in 2wd normally, but today with some ice and a teensy bit of snow, I switched to auto. It was awesome. Very grippy! Is it harmful to keep the car in auto at all times? does it affect gas mileage immensely? Thank you in advance for your help! I apologize for the stupid question - the Pat just had 4x4 on or off... not the cool auto option the pathfinder has.
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Brian VT
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Tue Sep 27, 2016 10:07 am
- Car: 2000 Pathfinder bought at 110k miles 9/26/16
Re: 2014 Nissan Pathfinder SV, 2wd vs Auto
Recently discussed and still visible on page 1.
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Rogue One
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2012 Nissan Rogue SL
2022 Honda Pilot SE
2025 Honda CR-V Sport L - Location: Florida, USA
Re: 2014 Nissan Pathfinder SV, 2wd vs Auto
We have an incredible SEARCH feature on this forum. Merged with existing thread.jlhmartin wrote:Hi! I just purchased a 2014 Pathfinder and I LOVE IT. I'm hoping it has less issues than my Patriot... That was a fun car to drive bc it was a manual and a beast in the snow, but every year something major came up!
My question is... I drive in 2wd normally, but today with some ice and a teensy bit of snow, I switched to auto. It was awesome. Very grippy! Is it harmful to keep the car in auto at all times? does it affect gas mileage immensely? Thank you in advance for your help! I apologize for the stupid question - the Pat just had 4x4 on or off... not the cool auto option the pathfinder has.
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