My Vitara

[Arterus]

Hi, I am new to this forums. I just recently got a used 2006 Vitara after my mk4 broke down and was way too expensive to fix. My Vitara is 4x4 or well it says it is but there is no transfer switch underneath the A/C switch like i see on pictures. If it is really is 4x4 where do I get the transfer switch and why did it not come with one? When I bought the car the specs were 2006 Suzuki Vitara 2.7L V6 4x4. Also what model is that? Its not leather.

[basspaul]

There are 2 4x4 models: one that is always in 4HI, like mine, (with a limited slip center diff) or the model with the multi-mode 4x4 (4HI, 4Hi-lock, 4Low-lock and neutral)

[Kootenanny]

You have the base model, same as mine. No "4-mode," it is simply in 4-high all the time.

Leather seats were only in the very top of the line model, I believe.

[semco]

I am wondering if you guys have 4Hi model with no switch, how do you know exactly that it is 4x4 not RWD? And at this case what is ratio for front and rear wheels, is it 50x50 or the same 40x60?

[ginegog]

Arterus:
You could have a look underneath.
RWD would have no front diff, front axles and no transfer case. Easiest method: turn the steering full lock to one side and look for CV joints. No CV joints (front) = RWD.

[Kootenanny]

Originally Posted by semco

I am wondering if you guys have 4Hi model with no switch, how do you know exactly that it is 4x4 not RWD? And at this case what is ratio for front and rear wheels, is it 50x50 or the same 40x60?

Trust me, my GV is 4WD--it has the transfer case, front and rear driveshafts and differentials, axles to all 4 wheels, etc. And going down the highway, I can definitely sense there is a lot of stuff spinning down there...

AFAIK it is exactly the same as a 4-Mode version, but without the 4-Low or 4-Lock options. The torque ratio is 47 front / 53 rear, I believe (the same as the other models). I would have liked the 4-Mode, but my choice was a GV with 4-Mode and an automatic transmission, or one without 4-Mode but with a 5-speed. My personal preference for manual shift far outweighed my slight desire for 4-Mode, so...

[MichelB]

You can put the transfer case to 4 Hi Lock manually, you need to remove a small cover and move the lock lever.

[Tim.LSR]

Originally Posted by MichelB

You can put the transfer case to 4 Hi Lock manually, you need to remove a small cover and move the lock lever.

Wow, one would have to be pretty extreme to want to do that operation somewhat permanently. It is not like you can just pop open the hood and switch that back and forth when needed.

According to Tim M., in another post he mentioned that the 4H/4L transfer case and differential is NOT a limited slip, front or rear could get 100% of power (but ESP would kick in first).

The full time 4WD - no 4H/4L switch - system uses a limited slip differential that is very limited - 6% or less.

In other words, you are not missing much without the 4H lock/4L/N switch unless you really, really need those features.

[geevee]

Originally Posted by Tim.LSR

Wow, one would have to be pretty extreme to want to do that operation somewhat permanently. It is not like you can just pop open the hood and switch that back and forth when needed.

According to Tim M., in another post he mentioned that the 4H/4L transfer case and differential is NOT a limited slip, front or rear could get 100% of power (but ESP would kick in first).

The full time 4WD - no 4H/4L switch - system uses a limited slip differential that is very limited - 6% or less.

In other words, you are not missing much without the 4H lock/4L/N switch unless you really, really need those features.

The transfer case with low range operates in limited slip normally, which is awd. It can be locked in high range, which makes it a plain old 4wd. And it is always locked in low range, like plain old 4wd. When in locked mode, the open differentials means it will tend to spin any wheel with less traction, just like a plain old 4wd.

The GV of course has abs-based traction control, which is used to stop spinning wheels from spinning, and thus transfer traction to wheels having traction.

BUT this is configured to disengage after a few seconds of high throttle, or if the imbalance in traction between the wheels is more than moderate. Sort of like limited slip. But it means you can never send 100% of throttle to one wheel, and it means the GV is still disappointingly vulnerable to losing traction in the common and classic problem of unloading diagonally opposite wheels while climbing.

This prevents overheating the brakes and damage to the lightweight axles etc, but cripples the GV in certain obstacles such as diagonal ditches while going up steep hills.

In my current avatar picture, the GV required three tries to get through what looks like a pretty minor ditch. In fact, it was on an uphill. I was trying to take the ditch at a diagonal angle to reduce the risk of scraping the bottom or back end. I ended up having to take the ditch almost straight across so that the wheels remained planted on the ground. Luckily there was enough clearance.

If this had been on otherwise flat ground, which is the case when traction control systems are tested by automotive journalists, the GV, and suv's with similar systems, would have had no problem at all.