Hyundai ix35 - 4x4 Transmission with lock

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Fri 10 Dec 2010 15:21
Hyundai ix35 - 4x4 Transmission with lock - richlux

Hello,

I have just received my new ix35 4wd. It was not the car I originally ordered but due to the waiting delays, i had the chance to have this car, so happily drove it home from the dealer on wednesday evening.

My question concerns the 4x4 Lock button. The dealer told me that I should not drive above 40mph with this engaged, but if I did the 4x4 would unlock itself & that I had nothing to worry about. Due to the bad weather I have been driving most of the time with the lock on at low speeds & just wanted to check with people more experienced than me on whether I am actually doing any damage & if there is a correct way of driving with the 4x lock on. If I increase the speed to say 70mph on the motorway will this have an impact & damage the car?

Thanks for your help,

Richlux

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Fri 10 Dec 2010 15:38
Hyundai ix35 - 4x4 Transmission with lock - Collos25

What does the manual say you should do.

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Fri 10 Dec 2010 16:08
Hyundai ix35 - 4x4 Transmission with lock - AnotherWaiting

It only operates below <= 25mph

If its on and you exceed this speed it switches off

If you are already going > 25mph the switch will do nothing.

Its worth noting that its just the 4x4 'lock' and at other times the 4WD system still operates in a similar way to the haldex system in that it will distribute drive to the wheels as required.

Edited by AnotherWaiting on 10/12/2010 at 16:13

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Sat 11 Dec 2010 18:03
Hyundai ix35 - 4x4 Transmission with lock - richlux

Thanks for all of your comments,

So no damage will be done if the lock is on & I go faster than 25mph? So is the ix35 an AWD rather than a 4wd?

Thanks for your help,

Richlux

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Fri 10 Dec 2010 16:49
Hyundai ix35 - 4x4 Transmission with lock - jonny1

in owners handbook for new sportage(same car)it says that 4 wheel lock effect gradually decreases at speeds over 25mph and gradually increases again at speeds coming back down to 25mph but i fail to see why anyone should need to travel at more than this speed if conditions dictate that 4 wheel lock is needed.

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Fri 10 Dec 2010 17:26
Hyundai ix35 - 4x4 Transmission with lock - AnotherWaiting

Surprisingly the Ix35 actually has a different 4WD system to the new Kia Sportage. It sounds as though it works in a similar fashion though. Below is taken from the Ix35 handbook..

This mode automatically begins to deactivate at speeds above 19 mph (30 km/h) and is shifted to AWD AUTO mode at speed above 25 mph (40 km/h). If the vehicle decelerates to speeds below 19 mph (30 km/h), however, the transfer mode is shifted into AWD LOCK mode again.

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Sat 11 Dec 2010 21:26
Hyundai ix35 - 4x4 Transmission with lock - jonny1

Surprisingly the Ix35 actually has a different 4WD system to the new Kia Sportage. It sounds as though it works in a similar fashion though. Below is taken from the Ix35 handbook..

This mode automatically begins to deactivate at speeds above 19 mph (30 km/h) and is shifted to AWD AUTO mode at speed above 25 mph (40 km/h). If the vehicle decelerates to speeds below 19 mph (30 km/h), however, the transfer mode is shifted into AWD LOCK mode again.

Apologies.Sportage handbook also says 19mph.

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Fri 10 Dec 2010 19:31
Hyundai ix35 - 4x4 Transmission with lock - peg

Hi.

I have a Santa Fe Auto and according to handbook, the vehicle is 2wd and when it senses lack of grip it engages 4wd. It can be locked in 4wd but will disengage automaticlly below 19mph but the lock and it's warning light remain on.

These vehicles have not been designed as serious off-roaders hence the setup to prevent damage to transmision, I've found it very effective this past week and not found the part-time setup to be any problem. Speed is the last thing you need in the present conditions(although some don't see it).

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Fri 10 Dec 2010 21:36
Hyundai ix35 - 4x4 Transmission with lock - SlidingPillar

There is a quite good argument that transmission locks should only be used to get out of trouble - not into it.

Not sure what your lock does but most simple locks work on the centre differential. If it is one of those, they should not be engaged if you can see the tarmac. Same goes for full time 2wd where there is no central diff, just a shaft to the front, effectively 4wd+diff lock as one.

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Sun 12 Dec 2010 18:45
Hyundai ix35 - 4x4 Transmission with lock - fitlike

yes your right . we have had a lot of snow this week took my ix35 awd to work no problem did not need to lock the 4 wd in just like the old tucson you can lock them in below 25mph when driving and will stay on till you put them off dont know about 70 mph .remeber just becuse your in awd you will still go off the road on ice. graham in northest scotland whare the reel snow was.

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Tue 14 Dec 2010 15:05
Hyundai ix35 - 4x4 Transmission with lock - richlux

Many thanks to all those that have replied, you hqve been very helpful.

BTW, I am very happy with the ix35 it drives very nicely and has been great in the snow so far. Just to clarify, in bad weather I do not intend to drive very fast, it was more a question "what if" I forget to press the lock button when I do accelerate & exceed the threshhold of 25mph.

Thanks again,

Richlux

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