Kedah 4x4

Locking Hubs were invented to engage/disengage the front wheels from the front axle shafts. Idea was to keep parts that were not needed in 2WD mode from rotating in order to reduce mechanical drag (less wear and tear of front axle parts) and thus save gas.

Leave your locking hubs disconnected when there is no need for 4WD in sight. You'll achieve a quieter ride on pavement with less vibrations with hubs unlocked. Lock them as needed for 4WD operation (doesn't matter whether you lock them before you shift into 4WD or right after) and unlock them when going back to 2WD. Leaving them locked in 2WD will have no negative effects.

I would also recommend you leave your hubs locked during bad weather season. This will allow you to shift in and out of 4WD whenever the need arises. Good news is that you will not need to stop for shifting into 4WD - with the locking hubs engaged the drivelines are synchronized. Leaving you hubs locked will cause no damage to your vehicle and will not influence it's handling.

However, driving with part time 4WD engaged (if you have hubs - you have part time 4WD) on dry sections of pavement you will not only create unsafe driving due to understeer - you may also cause expensive repairs due to "driveline bind".

			Automatic Locking Hub
	Manual Free Wheeling Hub

If the vehicle is equipped with free wheeling hub, they are located on the two front wheels. Ensure that the free wheeling hub is set at “LOCK” position when the shift lever is in either “4H” position or the “4L” position. This is to ensure that the drive power is transmitted to the front wheels.

For automatic locking hub fitted vehicle, the hubs are automatically locked or unlocked according to the position of the transfer shift lever during driving.

Automatic Locking Hub