Many prefer to drive with the 4A (4×4 Auto) feature in Ford 150. It is an automatically controlled drive like 4WD, but there is a minor difference in them.
In addition, it controls the front and rear wheel electrically and gives smooth driving even on dry and wet surfaces. This transfer case is present in all new versions and models to maintain the drive on rough surfaces.
What is 4A on Ford F150? The 4A drive on Ford F150 is an automatic all-wheel drive that transfers the power to both front and rear wheels. You can drive the F150 through the slippery surfaces, uneven roads, snow, and ice if you have 4A features in it. Sometimes it may cause noise when you start or stop the vehicle. The better visibility, accessibility, and safety system make it better to drive through the rocks and off-road.
The manufacturer added the new transfer case in the truck to increase the traction with roads. It stands for the automatic all-wheel drive, which can transfer the vehicle to the all-wheel-drive mode for full time.
You can reverse the truck without any trouble while driving on a 4A mode because the phenomenon is the same as in the 4WD drive.
What is the difference between 4A, 4H, and 4L?
You should not mix the three different concepts. All these are different, and the working principle is also different.
The drivers can switch the transfer case according to the need and requirement, but sometimes, the company installs the automatic system in new vehicles.
The 4A drive provides a balanced drive even in routine and emergency conditions. However, it only provides power to the rear wheels in normal condition.
Sometimes you have to go through the curves and unbalanced roads to reach your destination; then, the 4A will equally transfer the power to the front and rear wheels.
All wheels will rotate simultaneously with the same speed and maintain the truck’s position.
If you are on the highway and there is rain and snow on the road, you should switch to the 4H. It will give a firm grip and traction with the road, whether slippery or wet.
The 4H drive provides mechanically and electronically locked all-wheel power to both the front and rear wheels, mainly off-road and winter.
Many people prefer to go to distant places, such as the forest and beach, for nature enjoyment and hunting. However, it is trending that friends go into the horror places passing through the dirt, gravel, and rock.
What is the meaning of 4A on a Ford F150?
It has a 4A transfer case because it has many benefits over other transfer cases. Sometimes the truck becomes out of control under dangerous conditions such as sudden snowfall, icy and rocky roads.
It has better visibility to the other vehicles and roads with better safety and security systems. It will reduce the chances of road accidents when you suddenly come across a speed breaker and hole in the ground.
The 4A installation is the best trick to control the vehicles as it engages the control system, both front, and rear wheels, and improves the traction simultaneously.
It is necessary to have 4A in Ford F150 because it has large tires and higher lift from the ground. As a result, it can easily climb the hills and run on steep roads.
You should not exceed 15mph with automatic all-wheel drive; otherwise, accidents can occur on losing control of the truck.
How does a 4A drive work on Ford F150?
There is a minor difference in the working of the 4A drive from 4WD and AWD. It is an automatic feature in the trucks and transfers the torque to all tires equally produced by the axle.
Only rear wheels will work during average speed and take the front wheels with them. When the speed increases, the power will divide equally and distribute to all wheels.
Is it OK to drive F150 in 4A?
Yes, it is OK to drive the F150 in 4A mode, but it may be dangerous on the highway. In addition, sometimes other vehicles around you are also at risk if you are using the transfer case.
You will be able to recognize the 4A drive after reading the given survey. It will explain the speed, type of drive, and surfaces.
We did surveyed the Ford F150 lovers who drive it daily. The young generation likes to install new and updated features and go on long tours with friends and family.
We asked them about the advantages and disadvantages of the 4A drive. It was interview-based face-to-face communication.
The company assigned a structured paper having cross-questions on it. However, it was not specific for gender, age, and community.
A person was standing outside the showroom, workshop, and moving in the parking places. First, he shared the purpose of the interview: it was just for the effects of the 4A drive, and your information will be confidential.
We surveyed 130 individuals and analyzed the results. Many drivers, almost 39, mentioned that the 4A drive produces sound when it starts or stops a vehicle.
25 responded that you can drive quickly on dry and wet surfaces without facing any trouble.
17 participants respond that it can cause a howling sound for at least 5 seconds when going through the curve for a while, but it is not as loud, but at once you feel that something has broken. The sound will disappear when the vehicle runs on the roads.
The one participant mentioned that he does not feel any significant difference between the 4WD and 4A. The traction with the roads is the same as the four-wheel-drive on dirty pavements.
Three of them mentioned that there is extra load on the engine while switching from the 2H to the 4A. Moreover, the fuel efficiency of the 2H is more than the 4A because it is economical and consumes less fuel even it has a heavy load.
Five participants responded that it produces noise and cruises when you exceed 40mph and switch between the two modes.
Participants rely on the 2H all the time but switch to the 4A in the rain quickly. It is better to drive on 4 Low and rarely rely on the 4 High on loose surfaces for hooking up campers.
The fifteen people were driving the vehicles with 4A, 4L, and 4H but running on the 4A about 130,499 miles efficiently.
The response of 17 people was the same that I have been using for the last six years, and I did not hear any awkward noise when accelerating the truck.
An experienced person tested the 4A drive by running the Ford all day at 30mph. It does not create any sound when you turn left and turn right. You will not hear any noise when you turn left and right sharp at 20mph, but the surface is hot and dry.
The most exciting thing in the survey is that six people do not know about the 4A drive in the Ford. They did not even know they were driving on the 4WD or automatic wheel drive.
How will you know that the 4A is not working well on F150?
Some symptoms will let you know about the working of automatic all-wheel drive. However, you can identify the problem from the other signs, which indirectly affect the truck’s efficiency.
- You can face the issue during gear shifting.
- The driver shaft can create a problem
- Sometimes power is not transferred to all wheels
- Fluids leakage
- When the driveline angle is incorrect