4WD question

[Hurricane145]

Pardon my ignorance about the subject but I never claimed to be a mechanic.
I have a 2005 Silverado Z-71. It of course has 4WD. I used to have a 1990 Chev Scottsdale 4WD. Neither of them seem to have any issue with being in 4WD on dry non-slippery ground or pavement when traveling straight or turning or whatever. I do not recall any "warnings" about it anywhere in the manual either. Although I have not looked recently to be sure of it.
I have understood that it was an issue with the older style locking hubs though and I think I can understand why it could be an issue.

I have a friend with a 3/4 ton Chev (diesel engine) Silverado that is close to the year of mine. His does have warnings about it in the manual and on the visor about not using 4WD on dry or non slippery pavement. He said something about it having a full locking 4WD (?) and likened it to positraction for 4WD (aka limited slip differential I think).
I thought that 4WD had all the 4 wheels being powered like he explains his is.
I was hoping that someone could briefly explain what goes on that differs between the older locking hubs, his full locking 4WD as he refers to it, and my probably more common 4WD in my 2005 Silverado.
Thanks, Mike.

[j cAT]

If you read the owners manual it clearly states do not operate in any 4X4 operation ,,, on dry solid pavement...most vehicle owners never read the vehicle info book... it is very boring...

normally when a problem arises then maybe they open the manual...Unless they trashed it...

you locking hub question I have no knowledge....but I would THINK that this too would apply as the wheels would require to be the same exact size and no turning , this would be impossible...

[Hurricane145]

Originally Posted by j cAT

If you read the owners manual it clearly states do not operate in any 4X4 operation ,,, on dry solid pavement...most vehicle owners never read the vehicle info book... it is very boring...

normally when a problem arises then maybe they open the manual...Unless they trashed it...

you locking hub question I have no knowledge....but I would THINK that this too would apply as the wheels would require to be the same exact size and no turning , this would be impossible...

If they thrashed it, it is time for a different manual than the owners manual!!
Although locking hubs were before a time before I owned a 4WD, I understood that they had to be on a slippery surface or things would jam up on you but that it was at least less a concern with a more modern 4WD. Not an issue right now as we have all the snow we want around here the last couple days which is why the conversation went that direction. I'll check my owners manual to see what it says. Maybe someone else will jump in and elaborate on it a bit more.

[j cAT]

back in 2000 I bought a 4x4 silverado...this was because of my work...
I talked to my truck co-workers and they said not to operate on dry pavement ,the manual states operating on dry pavement causes the drivetrain to wear out ....they also stated to engage the 4x4 every few months at a slow speed or stopped to exercise the motors that engage the drive train ....

fluid replacement is dependent on use ....the more work/load the more you must service these 4x4 fluids....

[OGG]

If your truck has a "4wd auto" setting leaving it in that position shouldn't have any serious ill effects. I'm sure others will disagree but my stepmother has a 2001 Sierra 1500 with 107k that has pretty much never been taken out of "4wd auto". She's had no problems with the transfer case whatsoever.