Unless there is a red light, the front wheels are likely engaged but do not achieve traction unless there is slippage occurring. In other worrds all is likely fine and when you need it -it's there!
In front wheel drive the traction comes from the front wheels while in rear wheel drive traction power comes from the rear wheels.
Check for vacuum leaks,
Sounds like it might be the vaccum switch on the front axle.
A very short/simple explanation is: the Highlander is in front wheel drive until the computer sensor on the drive train senses that the front drive wheels are slipping (no traction) - the vhicle computer then sends a command to the transmission to engage the rear wheel drive axles - which then engage.
The front wheels are the drive wheels on most lift trucks.
The front wheels on a fork lift are load bearing and the drive wheels.
The front wheels are the drive wheels and carry the weight of the payload.
loyale is front wheel drive, then when you engage 4wd the power is equally distributed to all wheels. four wheel drive is ALL wheel drive, just listen to the name and count the number of wheels on your car i bet they match perfectly unless it is somehow a dually (2 wheels on each side of the rear of the truck [does not apply to cars]) which i doubt on a subaru
Try to engage while in neutral.or another way I've heard is to reverse a few feet and then stop and put in to 4 wheel dr.AnswerIf when you engage it the 4wd light comes on but you are still in 2wd it might be that your hubs aren't locked. Rangers either have auto or manual locking hubs. If they are manual locking you will see something you can turn in the middle of the front wheels. When you turn them to the locked position your axels are engaged to the wheels and will spin together. When they aren't locked your front axel isn't enganed to the front wheels. Don't drive normally with them locked. Only lock them when you need 4wd.
you can engage the 4 wheel drive with the vehicle in neutral, then make sure you lock the hubs manually on the wheels. turn the dial on the hub caps of the front wheels to lock, when not in 4 wheel the wheels need to be in free mode.
It depends. Llook at the hubs on your front wheels. Is there a knob in the center of the wheels? If so, then turn this knob to the right and you will have engaged the 4 wheel drive. If you do this; however, make sure you engage the 4 wheel drive inside the truck (if your truck has a 4 wheel drive gear shifter). On other Rangers, you have a knob on the inside of the cab. It should be somewhere on the dash. You can turn it to the right and this will engage the 4 wheel drive. Finally, when you engage the 4WD make sure the engine is cut off, so it doesn't mess up your transfer case.
A front axle holds the front wheels on and on front-wheel drive vehicles transmits engine torque to the wheels. --Ken