4WD modes: Diff lock, 2H, 4H, 4L & hill descent control how to/explained

If you've just picked up your brand new dual-cab ute, or your new SUV and you're keen to do some light off-road driving, but have no idea what to do, we've put together a video that explains the basics! Paul Maric will take you through two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive high range, four-wheel drive low range, the rear differential lock, hill descent control and ascending hills.
NOTE: This isn't for off-road experts. Most of this stuff is likely to be pretty self explanatory for those with off-road experience. But, if you've never been off-road before, it could be the thing to get you started! We have used the 2021 Isuzu D-Max LS-U for this video.
Skip Ahead:
Intro: 00:00
Before you start: 00:47
2WD and traction control: 02:09
Rear Differential Lock: 03:47
4WD high range: 05:38
4WD low range: 09:46
Hill Descent Control: 11:50
Outro: 12:23
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#offroad #howto #isuzu @Isuzu UTE Australia

[@johnmckay428]

I learnt more from this in less time than dedicated 4wd channels

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks! Hopefully it was easy to understand 😁

[@jeremyduvitt6584]

Very true!

[@RevolutionOF91]

Same

[@DrAbhishekSinghal]

Me too

[@Rroff2]

Indeed - I do a lot of this by instinct but I never really thought about the why of some of it.

[@ankitnegi5678]

My God!! How could you make this so simple to understand? Appreciate all your hard work that got into making this easy to understand video...Simple and to the point.

[@johnrae4633]

Fairly easily actually, Ankit Negi! I'm just a thick former farmer at heart! 😂😂 But seriously though, I'm an Occupational 4x4 Trainer in my day job, and I'm a great believer in using analagies/descriptive stories in plain english that those with no knowledge or interest in things mechanical can easily relate to! That, and as I've been Training for 30 years, that is long enough to be able to bore anyone to tears with this stuff 😂🤣😂

[@TheOrigamy]

@@johnrae4633 Modesty at best. I recently found your videos. I feel quite happy when I see you explaining everything with a great smile. Great going.

[@InfluenceThaPoetDOPE]

Hey relax. "my God!!!!" You need to chill tf out

[@Jakevrana]

As a 4wd enthusiast, I like how you broke everything down. To someone who is starting off in this venture, your info can save a lot of heartache and money learning the hard way

[@mohanedbadawi9993]

Fundamental info and succinct presentation that really helped me understand each mode and tech. Never have seen anyone talk about turning on smooth surfaces with 4wd and how it could harm the vehicle. Thanks for the eye opener!

[@CarExpertAus]

Thank you!

[@davidgoldstein7149]

No kidding - I was in a rental jeep in Colorado and had to use a lot of 4x4 modes but when I came down to town and had to do a u turn with 4x4 still activated, I’m like that does not sound good at all… now I know why

[@artbymiwsher]

I can't tell you how much I appreciate this video. I'm packing to upgrade to my first ute after half my life spent with only cars, and this has answered a lot of my questions.

[@CarExpertAus]

Glad I could help! And thanks for watching :-D

[@dpfit]

This is the first time I tried to understand 4WD, diff lock and all those terms. Luckily yours is the first video I came across. Now I don't feel the need to watch another one. The way you explained everything, took shots from different angle and found a perfect terrain for the video is outstanding. Thank you so much.

[@ebarahonab]

I'm getting my first truck soon, and this was really informative as I had no idea about 4h and 4L. Thank you so much!

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks for watching!

[@izzyn718]

Thank you for this! I always had trouble understanding 4wd modes so all sorted now 👍🏼

[@CarExpertAus]

No problem 👍 and thanks for taking the time to watch.

[@wakkythug]

Same

[@siphomgqibandaba3023]

Thank you so much, I actually thought my truck was broken when I used 4H especially when turning, this was very helpful

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks for watching!

[@23860]

Why then manufacturers recomended 4wd when rain is on and speed is up to 100km/h?

[@xdroogloo9536]

Loose rocks on freeway Me: Puts Triton into low range with diff lock activated

[@CarExpertAus]

😅😅

[@lukedontknow9283]

Lol

[@ev-ezaye3580]

@Drew that's a totally bad idea, low range is for much lower speeds like under 15km/h!

[@dextermorgan750]

@@ev-ezaye3580 I think he was being sarcastic

[@slashmotovlog973]

What I learned today is. Know the functions of each modes and use some common sense. This is the most accurate and simplest lessons. Thank you for this.

[@meinray]

I am the kind of student who learns better by seeing. Thank you so much, I now understand the different drive modes

[@irfann4409]

First time ive seen someone explain these terms to us aspiring motorheads .. thank you Paul

[@CarExpertAus]

😁

[@siyabongashezi4104]

Paul is by far the best motor journo. The way he explains things and provides the most interesting reviews. Keep up the awesome work. All the way from South Africa 🇿🇦

[@anandhvenkataramani7228]

I have never seen any channel explain these concepts with such simplicity and clarity! You have a fan here, Sir!

[@Jackal_Blitz]

Brilliant explanations, and actually showing the differences in applications really helps bring it all together. Thank you so much!

[@michaelknauss203]

Ive watched 10 videos this was hands down the most informative, easy to follow, perfect clear explanation. Well done. Subscribed and marked bell

[@MrModikoe]

I swear your videos are as though you reading my mind, I've always wondered these features inside off-roaders. great comprehensive review 👏 👍

[@CarExpertAus]

😅 thanks for watching!

[@Mike-zb7ts]

Some people have a knack for clear communication. You are one of those people.

[@faazk]

What a legend! Explained it clearer and way better than anyone else on KZbin.

[@mannegar7650]

Thanks, I paid so much attention as if I was taking lectures from a professor in college U got a new subscriber 👍👍

[@AceGoodheart]

I wish I had a hill like this near me to practice on. Thanks for the "how to" video. Can't wait to hit the trails.

[@kinreybelleza4515]

I don't have a car but I really enjoy watching your videos. I'm watching your car reviews everyday and I feel like I'm learning more and more as I watch your reviews. Best car channel! Tysm!

[@towarzyszbeagle6866]

Great video. Very good straight forward demonstration without any unnecessary fluff.

[@takundamapako7856]

there is no better video out there than this in explaining and demonstrating 4x4 modes. have always knows that 4H is NEVER to be used on the tarmac, but never knew exactly why. You answered me now. Great stuff this is a great channel! Keep it up!

[@waynehobbs5175]

If you buy a Mitsi Paj Sport 4wd high can be used on any surface. When towing on dzmp surfaces its brilliant. Worth the extra $.

[@robertdionne6073]

​@@waynehobbs5175hello, is that the reason why is it better or special than other 4x4 mode of other car brands?

[@uzimakinaruto928]

​@@robertdionne6073it's cause of Mitsubishi super select system

[@TheRonsoncut]

Thank you so much for your thorough and clear explanations. Really appreciate it. Greetings from Southern Patagonia, "perfect" land for rocky roads and 4wd climbs!

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks for watching! Amazing part of the world - I once did an Audi event in San Pedro de Atacama and the scenery and terrain is incredible!

[@vrahni]

Great video, which clarifies all the ''popular'' systesm in modern vehicles and not only. Thanks CarExpert!!

[@rahulkkd65]

This is so well done , best video available on KZbin to understand the basics of 4x4 . Thanks for this

[@jayesh5131]

The best tutorial out there for 4×4 machines. Well explained video, keep it up💯

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks for watching!

[@michaelr.3799]

Brilliant video cheers, really appreciated this. Living in Thailand this knowledge comes in handy.

[@ryanforth-martin1907]

Very well explained, I understand nothing about all that stuff, and now I feel like I can go explain it well enough for someone else to understand, well done thankyou.

[@ianbrowne9304]

One of the better/more sensible videos on the subject I have seen .

[@dj-th5cz]

you deserve a million subs sir! watching from the Philippines 🙂

[@punnareaythampanhaboth9h914]

I'm waiting for this video so long, Thanks a lot! :D

[@CarExpertAus]

Cheers!

[@mikecurrie4914]

Awesome, I have a 2015 Dmax, your explanation is sooo much better than the manual or other videos I've seen.

[@reymondatienza8427]

Holy shit this is the easiest explanation of 4WD that I have ever watched!!! Thanks so much now i understand and will know better how to drive 4w properly!

[@KazanKhan786]

Thank You. This was very educational. I didn't know that using 4H on roads could actually damage the vehicle.

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks for watching 😁

[@shrikanthmohan6781]

Nicely made and informative video 👍 It surely gives a good insight into 4WD for a layman to understand easily.

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks for watching 😁

[@markovucilovski9876]

Best video explaining all the offroad systems. Crystal clear explaining and simple. Ty

[@gregscarcella519]

Excellent way of showing how all this works by showing the actual way it works in a practical situation. Too many KZbin videos talk about it but don't show it. Well done!

[@avuazahc1966]

very informative. . . .and we getting this DMAX next year here in South Africa

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks for watching!

[@robinseales7023]

Excellent tutorial, I recently bought a 4x4 and was wondering how and when to use these systems. Thank you for this video it helps tremendously.

[@CarExpertAus]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gutadin5]

@@CarExpertAus i'm planning to get a pick up truck, should i buy a 4x2 or 4x4?

[@chanakyareborn]

Very well articulated I have to say. No technical mumbo jumbo. Just how the average layman would like to approach the topic!

[@arjunamedagama]

Superb beginners guide to 4WD and lockers. He makes it so simple with excellent visual cues

[@chaozhang4364]

Good stuff Paul, love your videos!

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks!

[@harsimranjitsingh591]

Beautifully Explained 👌

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks mate!

[@howardfjs]

No cap this is the best explanation of 4WD , some other channel talks too much bullshit and doesnt even mention it as detailed

[@CruzeUK]

So glad I watched this before I got my Ford Ranger as I was ready to use 4WD on tarmac 🤦 Great advice, thanks Paul! Pretty sure your saved me a hefty repair bill.

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks for watching!

[@zoolkhan]

excellent introduction. i finally understand my car. thanks a lot

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks for watching!

[@TheJackweiser]

Great vid guys. Amateurs such as myself totally needed something as simple and minimalistic as this. Thanks a ton. Kudos.

[@fuentedeorinoco6049]

Excellent. 11 years in Acrica- nothing to add. Thanks!

[@adrianssz4582]

Great explanation Paul, always wanted to understand what each individual setting actually means. Never had an SUV or Ute, but do like this new Isuzu and considering this as my next car for some local getaways. Doesn’t look like we can go over seas for a while!

[@jerrymyahzcat]

I’d suggest getting a Land Rover for that. Handles so much better than any Ute and is more comfortable and very capable.

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks for watching! Cars like the Everest/Fortuner/MU-X and Pajero Sport give you the best of both worlds with these.

[@unitedamerica8655]

Great video answered preety much all 4WD questions i had for years ... thank you

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks for watching!

[@adventurefound]

Ordered a new Triton 2 weeks ago. Only 6 more months until I get it! lol. This video explained the off road modes perfectly for me! Just like the bloke next door telling me, in simple terms! Thank you!

[@Mace1302]

Super helpful. Get my 1st 4x4 in a few days, and this is the best educational vid I've seen. Thanks from the UK.

[@hanaanrosenthal]

I really feel that I understand my wife much better now.

[@berdugosocials9854]

Thanks mate! Looks like I’ll be fine with 2wd Ranger for my use cases.

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks for watching! Yes for the most part if you're not doing any off-road driving, a two-wheel drive ute will get the job done.

[@janehunter6753]

This hill descent control is rather fast

[@tjaritjehange1435]

Thanks so much for explaining all of that in such 13:01 min. Worth more then just watching a serious on Netflix. Keep it all up and we looking forward for more interesting clips such as this one.

[@dumisanibhengu599]

Certainly made things 4x4 related simpler and clear, thanks Sire...

[@ZAINABBAS]

very informative video, being a novice i learned a lot ! cheers.

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks for watching!

[@sriharip.r9115]

Awsome guys💯

[@Hamza-Salim]

Perfectly explained, got this video after 6 usesless videos trying to explain exactly this. Thank you!

[@RV_23]

Literally the best 4WD explanation. Very informative!

[@prasispoudel7353]

The vedio was quite up to the point. Keep it up!!

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks!

[@collenmuregu]

Very informative

[@CarExpertAus]

Thank you!

[@poikanick9041]

i come back to watch this every week so I don’t forget all these. Thanks Paul and team.

[@danielbarasa3342]

I must admit that no one can explain it any better,at least most of my questions are now answered, thanks bro for the excellent tutorial 😊😊😊

[@jmlarena08]

Great video!! The Triton still has the best 4WD system in the segment IMO...

[@CarExpertAus]

I like the Triton’s super select setup. It gives you best of both worlds.

[@autonewstv86]

*Great video Paul. The best Toyota Hilux* 👍

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks 👍

[@sealoftheliving4998]

@@CarExpertAus No Ford Ranger is the Best. Toyota Hilux.is weak frame and that is the reason why lots of Toyota Hilux accident. Failed in moose test because of frame weak

[@jerrymyahzcat]

@@sealoftheliving4998 I think the OP was saying the Isuzu is the best HiLux! Lol

[@ycs1466]

@@sealoftheliving4998 i think u got it all wrong, hilux frame is too hard and would not allow the frame to twist during hard steering movement. Hard frame also contribute to rough ride.

[@mattwilliamwilson5267]

Sorry but i think the mitsubishi have more improvement than the hilux

[@rvarghese3062]

So practically explained instead of just Saying and showing some graphics on 4 wheel drive .. which is what I like...... Nice work 👍

[@Fedgery007]

You did a great job explaining this for people who are learning!

[@shingie_x]

Another great video!

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks!

[@kgabomaupye07]

Content I signed up for 😎😎☺️👍✊

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks for watching!

[@rizwann123]

Smart vid … no BS. He utilize every min to educate on real life use. 🙌🏻

[@Tony-qk1se]

excellent stuff Paul, very informative and I think your a natural at this as you are easy to listen to....well done

[@Madzci]

The only thing that was missing was whats a best setting for a long 1/4 mile water crossing on flooded streets/ terrain /river crossing?

[@CarExpertAus]

We will try that out for another video 😁

[@ch-ov2rg]

I like.

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks for watching!

[@MrRagdoll346]

In the process of purchasing my first 4x4 and this has been super helpful!

[@ichangersnare4582]

No bullshxx … To the point. Very informative 🔥 Keep growing 👍🏼

[@ibadrehman6096]

I’ve always had turning problems with 4x4 on and didn’t know Y

[@CarExpertAus]

😁

[@issakabukari4194]

If you engage 4x4 low range on a dry road or less muddy surface, the stear gets harden. Because you are not supposed to engage that gear.

[@brayton6683]

Watching this video incase my future father in law ask me to drive his hilux wen we do overlanding .Already got his daughter why not also impress him with my off roading skills he might pay for the wedding😅🤣🤣🤣

[@CarExpertAus]

😅😅

[@CC1544]

That is one way to impress your in law but it is more effective if you buy him a new land cruiser, surely he will pay for the wedding ha ha

[@AK-xc3qd]

Wow. I wish I came across this video eons ago. So simply and beautifully explained. Thank you from Alberta,Canada 🇨🇦

[@Jeppyboi83]

best and easy to understand explanation out of all the other videos I've watched.

[@CarToneHK]

This hill descent control is rather fast

[@CarExpertAus]

In some vehicles you can control the descent speed using steering wheel controls, but I'm not 100% sure if the D-Max supports it. One thing I forgot to mention is that the HDC works in reverse in the D-max too, which is a good feature.

[@retepelyod]

Hey Paul, you might need to do an edit on the recovery point advice, I’m pretty sure the recovery points you showed are only tie down points.

[@CarExpertAus]

Thanks for the comment - we've checked again with Isuzu and that front hook on the D-Max is for recovery. You can see it listed in the manual at the 2:09 marker. Each vehicle will be different.

[@travellinbeavers1851]

@@CarExpertAus just looked at that manual at the 2:09 mark and I think you're confusing towing with recovery. Towing a disabled vehicle is fine from these points on the bitumen but they aren't rated to my knowledge and if a snatch strap is used on them in sand or on a hill you run the risk of ripping them off or causing damage...

[@CarExpertAus]

Just triple checked with Isuzu and it's a rated recovery point. Some vehicles are going to be different and may require an aftermarket recovery point, but that one is a rated recovery point and tow point.

[@travellinbeavers1851]

@@CarExpertAus Happy to be corrected on this CarExpert. In the interests of feeding beginners the whole picture so they don't end up in trouble, here's an excerpt from a competitors review on this topic: Unusually for a manufacturer, Isuzu rate the tow points to the GVM of the vehicle. In this case a maximum of 2950kg. Unfortunately, even if you use a bridle to distribute the load across two tow points almost increasing the capacity two-fold, this still comes up short for the Australian Standards recommended 8000kg snatch strap for the vehicle. This could potentially see the factory tow points removed at very high velocity toward the recovering car, with potentially lethal results. Thankfully the aftermarket have rated recovery points available that will simply bolt in place of the factory loops. If you go off-road, throw the factory tow points in the bin and replace them with dedicated recovery points.

[@CarExpertAus]

@@travellinbeavers1851 All good! As I said, we've checked again with Isuzu and they have said they are rated recovery points. The quote you've pasted there is from a review of the previous generation D-Max, which uses a GM-shared platform.

[@driven2succeed141]

Wow... always wondered why 4H did that on paved surface. Thanks!

[@faraihove7232]

Best explanation of 4WD I've had

[@ismailtopa3671]

I missed when the 4wd transfer case comes with a stick instead of knop switch thingy.

[@charlieaydin1377]

Get a 70 series cruiser. Still comes with a stick selector 👍

[@hansgabrielcarson2001]

plot twist: He's The Hulk

[@CarExpertAus]

😅

[@carreviewsbyma7457]

Subaru WRX STI 2020 Review kzbin.info/www/bejne/nl6VmZ6Yh7Znr5Y

[@damianmcdonagh7908]

This is brilliantly explained, many thanks for posting. A special thank you from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@whyzzman]

Excellent breakdown. Just got my first 4x4 vehicle (Jeep GC...previous SUV's have been AWD) so really want to understand how the 4x4 and locking differential systems really work.

[@jinroh516]

Called it an Eye-suzu and you call yourself a car expert.... 😩

[@Ozzierob]

He is Ozzie if you didn’t click on

[@sandeshthapa8149]

This is the best-explained video I have ever watched.

[@TheHarsh0290]

Thanks for explaining in a simplified version… will surely help me to drive my next 4x4.

[@motdepass4560]

Amazing explicit video with simple illustrations. Well done 👏🏿

[@CarExpertAus]

Thank you so much 😀

[@AveryBlueRemix]

Thanks Boss, just bought my first 4WD and this video is educational and palatable.

[@lewisstratton]

Great video. Like others, I found it so helpful to have the basics explained clearly.

[@ebby3020]

The skip ahead is great. Wish more people would do this

[@mohammadaaban2304]

This video explained what I was looking for from years

[@koreappinesmusic]

Excellent Demonstration, Tutorial and Explanation, This is a good example of a Car reviewer or blog should be.