P500 Shifting into 4wd while moving

[oldfokker]

I was watching a video that Jak9922 uploaded about a year ago and noticed while driving in the snow that he was shifting in and out of 4wd while travelling in 2nd or 3rd gear. I was told by the dealer to come to a full stop. Does anyone else do this? Will shifting 4wd on the go end my tranny or was the salesman BS’n me?

 

[Admin]

 

[Bad_bowtie]

I shifted my 500 in and out of 4wd all the time while moving in the 2 years I had it. I would usually let out of the throttle or at least not be under a heavy load though.

 

[nctrailboss]

Good to go as long as front and rear wheels are at the same speed,not spinning the rear while the front is not.

 

[alloutdoors]

I will not "disagree" with the manual, but I have been switching while on the move. I do, however, shift while going at a slow pace, i.e., 10-15 mph and going forward in a relatively straight line and not when in a bind/calling on the engine/power

 

[Mudder]

Had the same question early on. Manual says a lot of this “not to do” stuff, but many do. Been doing it for 2 yrs, but only going slow with no strain on drivetrain, like coasting up to, or exiting a mudhole. May not be recommended, just like they say never go in water deeper than 10 inches and don’t get the engine wet. I just tell the puddles not to splash.

 

[HUCK]

Just say NO . Why risk it . It only takes once .

 

[nctrailboss]

An eighteen wheeler has a feature to lock both of it's rear axles together.It is air operated instead of cable.It is perfectly fine to lock them together on the move,as long as they are turning the same speed,says so on the switch.Same concept.I'm sure Honda plays it safe instead of going into explaining when it is ok or not.

 

[trigger]

I don't do it either.

 

[Mudder]

And I don’t worry about an off-manual locker installation either. LOL. With the noisy front diff, wonder if it’s a loose mesh.
P500 - 4wd activation question

Thanks to @906UP for his post and parts link. I liked knowing what was inside. 2016 Honda Pioneer 500 SXS500M2 Parts - Best OEM Parts Diagram for 2016 Pioneer 500 SXS500M2 Motorcycles

 

[70Bones]

I do it, I just make sure there is no load on the front diff, ie: not accelerating or decelerating.

 

[oldfokker]

Thanks for the great info and advice. Since Run-A-MUCK is only a month old i think that I’ll go with what the salesman said.

 

[allgm1]

I have around 3000 miles on my 700, I shift it on the fly all the time, just as everyone else said, don't do it with the hammer down and you'll be all set.

 

[alloutdoors]

I joined this site about a year ago and do not recall any post on breaking a front differential/4WD while moving, but may have missed it along the way. Point is, these units are tough and with 'reasonable" care/responsibility they last a long...…. time with very few problems and likely the Number 1 reason people keep buying them, highly reliable with reasonable care.....

 

[Alan aka Davinci]

I try to anticipate when I need 4 wheel drive then stop and shift into 4 and when I get out of the area, I stop again and shift out of 4 wheel because I only like surprises at Christmas and my birthday and who knows, when you are stopped you can take a leak and have a beer.

 

[Chooglin]

I try to anticipate when I need I will need 4 wheel drive then stop and shift into 4 and when I get out of the area, I stop again and shift out of 4 wheel because I only like surprises at Christmas and my birthday and who knows, when you are stopped you can take a leak and have a beer.

Ditto

 

[oldfokker]

I try to anticipate when I need 4 wheel drive then stop and shift into 4 and when I get out of the area, I stop again and shift out of 4 wheel because I only like surprises at Christmas and my birthday and who knows, when you are stopped you can take a leak and have a beer.

There you go that’s reason enough!

 

[Mudder]

All this talk about front differentials brought back sweet memories. The day of Locker installation!

 

[Russ989]

I always stopped before putting my p5 in 4 wheel per the owners manual. Having said that, As long as you are moving I’m sure it’s fine. I would never shift it in if the rear wheels where turning and I was already stuck.

 

[Gassygordo]

As long as my back tires aren't spinning and my front locker is not clicking, I'm shifting on the fly.

 

[Gassygordo]

Honda clarified this in their 2019 brochure:

• Automatic Transmission with AT/MT Mode: You can let the Honda Pioneer 500’s automatic transmission shift for you, or you can still shift yourself with its paddle shifters. You can even shift from auto to manual (AT to MT) on the fly!

Yes you can, but we’re talking about shifting in and out of four wheel drive.