Here is how you use your pt 4WD vehicle most efficiently:
• Drive in 2WD most of the time (that's where the name "part time" is coming from - you use 4WD only part of the time)
• shift only into 4WD (don't forget to lock your hubs - if you have them) when you encounter snow, ice, or a rain slick road (if you have manual hubs keep them connected during the entire bad weather season).
• shift back into 2WD as soon as you encounter dry surface (pretty much all vehicles now have "shift on the fly" that allows shifting without stopping)
• you may even want to shift back to 2WD while still on snow - because some vehicles display a binding effect even on snow.
• if you encounter turns while in 4WD just know that the steering will not be as crisp as in 2WD (understeer will occur - the turn might be a little wider than planned)
• please be aware that ABS does not work properly with part time 4WD
• make sure the bed (if you own a pickup) carries about as much weight as the front (especially valid when using 2WD - because the rear is powered and has, because of the empty bed, the least traction of both axles, ). More weight = more traction
