What do H4 and L4 mean? (referring to four-wheel drive systems)

Understanding H4 and L4 in four-wheel-drive systems is crucial for off-road enthusiasts; choose the right one, and you’ll be navigating the most challenging terrain. Choose the wrong one, and you could end up with expensive repairs.

So, we break down what do H4 and L4 mean, how you use them, and when to use them. This way, we help you choose the right drive mode for your adventure. Let’s unravel the mysteries of H4 versus L4 and their impact on your off-road journey.

You’ve just bought for your first true off-roader, and once you step inside, the letters, numbers, and acronyms can blend into a meaningless jumble. This article will help you further understand four-wheel drive systems.

So, what do H4 and L4 mean? They mean High-4 and Low-4, or in more detail, it’s the speed in which the vehicle travels. H4 is a high-speed mode that engages all four wheels, but it doesn’t lock the transfer case. This means that it has the same amount of torque and can be used in low-traction conditions.

On the other hand, L4 is a low-speed mode that does engage the transfer case, meaning it uses low-range gearing. The vehicle will drive at a slower speed, but with higher torque. It’s for when maximum traction or power is needed, such as driving on steep hills, or hard pulling in slippery conditions.

Knowing when to use them is critical, as your vehicle can suffer from excessive strain. Read more to find out precisely how to use these two systems.

Learn More: If you are on the road and facing snowy conditions, read this article: Do I Use 4H or 4L to Drive in Snow?

What are four-wheel drive systems?

Four-wheel drive systems are an incredible addition to the driving world and can help you adapt to overcome any road condition you may face. They work by activating traction to all four wheels, hence their name.

These vehicles send the power through all four wheels via a transfer case. In some cases, the transfer case doesn’t have low-range gearing, while in others, it does. Low-range gearing is an additional set of gears with a different size, usually larger, which gives the vehicle more torque, but less final speed.

By having higher torque, the wheels are able to have more grip when in slippery surfaces, such as mud or snow. Whether you are driving to work in the city, hauling your dirt bikes in the woods, or just trying to get out of your icy driveway, you can use the perfect four-wheel mode.

So, what do H4 and L4 mean? Here’s the breakdown:

H2 Mode: The Most Basic Mode

The first mode we will discuss is the classic mode used for everyday driving– the H2 mode. This is the mode that your vehicle should be in when you first purchase it.

H2 means high speed, two-wheel drive. Two-wheel drive means that only two of your wheels are receiving power, and the other two are just along for the ride.

Two-wheel drive is great for mild conditions, and because you are not powering all of the wheels on your vehicle, you will use less energy and be more fuel-efficient.

However, you will have less force when driving because only two of your wheels are receiving power.

This means that two-wheel drive is not the best mode when driving on harsh terrain or in conditions requiring your vehicle to have an extra boost.

But luckily, if you have a vehicle that can change from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive, you will be set to handle any terrain you may come across.

Learn More: How do I know if my 4-wheel drive is working?

H4 Mode: The First Mode To Use

When answering what do H4 and L4 mean, it’s critical to learn that both modes operate differently.

Imagine you are driving along and you come across a road that suddenly turns into the dirt (maybe you are visiting your grandparents in a small town in Idaho), and it had rained the night before. Now, suddenly you are trying to drive in deep, slippery mud. What do you do?

No need to fear, you can turn your vehicle from H2 to H4! H4 mode means high-speed, four-wheel drive.

The vehicle is now operating with traction to all four wheels, but driving at the same speed than it would with H2.

The best part is that you do not even need to stop your car to switch modes. You can switch from two-wheel to four-wheel on the fly! Just ensure you are going less than 50 mph before changing modes.

Changing your vehicle to four-wheel drive allows your vehicle to power all four tires at once, which will give you extra force and traction.

This extra force and traction will help you drive through mud, snow, sand, or any other slippery conditions you find.

I can personally attest that four-wheel drive will get you out of tight spots. I had friends from California (who had never driven a truck through the mud before) get their truck stuck in deep, deep mud.

I took over, tried to rock the truck a few times, and was making slow progress until I looked down and realized that the truck was still in two-wheel drive!

I had just assumed they would put the truck into a four-wheel drive when they got stuck. I switched modes and drove out of the mud like I was driving on asphalt.

You should drive your vehicle in four-wheel drive often to keep the parts lubricated. The recommended distance is 10 miles per month.

The most important thing about using H4 (or any four-wheel drive mode for that matter) is to use the modes on slippery surfaces, and not on pavement. The reason for this is that, regardless of your vehicle being on H4 or L4, all four wheels are turning at the same speed. If this happens on asphalt, it can cause strain on components.

N Mode

The N mode is your neutral mode. This means that none of your wheels will receive power. To engage the N mode, your vehicle needs to be completely stopped.

You would use this mode if you are towing your vehicle and you need the tires to be able to spin freely.

L4 Mode: The True Off Road Mode

When answering what do H4 and L4 mean, the most interesting mode is L4.

The L4 mode means low speed, four-wheel drive, and it is quite similar to the H4 mode. You would use it for similar situations. L4 mode is for when you need absolute maximum power and traction.

If you find yourself driving up or down a hill in slippery conditions, such as ice or snow, then the L4 mode is the one for you.

You will not be driving as fast, because the L4 mode is a low speed, but if you are desperately trying to crest a hill, you will not need to go very fast.

And the same goes for going down a hill– if you are trying to be careful and you need extra traction to be safe, you will not be driving very fast.

You should also use L4 if you are hauling something heavy in mud, snow, sand, or icy conditions. Now that we’ve seen what do H4 and L4 mean, let’s see how to put your vehicle in L4 mode.

Putting your vehicle into L4 mode is a little more tricky than H4 mode.

1. To engage low-speed four-wheel drive, stop the vehicle and depress the brake.
2. Put the automatic transmission into neutral.
3. Shift the smaller lever past neutral to L4 – the VSC off indicator will light up.
4. Then put the automatic transmission back into drive.
5. To return to high four-wheel drive or two-wheel drive, stop the vehicle and follow the same process.
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When the L4 mode is engaged, you should see an icon saying “4LO” flash on your dashboard.

To change from L4 mode back to H4 or H2, stop your vehicle, and repeat the steps above but shifting the lever back into the desired mode.

Watch the video below to learn more about what do H4 and L4 mean, plus see a visual on your four-wheel drive system to see what things look like, and where they should be located.

Which Vehicle is Best For Your Situation?

Not every vehicle is best for every situation. Depending on where you live, how often you drive, or what you are most comfortable in, there are different vehicles that you should drive.

Also, a part of knowing what do H4 and L4 mean is also understanding what options you have to buy out there.

“A low-slung sports car with rear-wheel drive is not a good choice if you live at the top of a steep hill accessible via a rutted dirt road that is buried under ice and snow all winter and slick with mud in the spring. Nor is a raised 4WD vehicle with huge knobby tires ideal for the driver whose daily commute consists of nicely paved city streets.”

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If you are a city slicker who drives exclusively on asphalt in warm, sunny conditions, then a four-wheel drive vehicle is not worth the cost. You might like the looks, but the added weight can impact your walled.

A two-wheel drive vehicle with a front-wheel drive system is your best option. Front-wheel systems have all of the power go to the front two wheels. Most passenger cars have a front-wheel system.

Common front-wheel vehicles:

• Volkswagen Golf GTI
• Hyundai Veloster N
• Honda Accord
• Honda Civic Type R
• Nissan Sentra
• Ford Focus ST
• Ford Puma

If you live in a place that is still mostly asphalt but gets a lot of snow, ice, and possibly mud, then you should consider getting an all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicle. Even this case might not warrant a 4WD, plus you don’t have to be asking what do H4 and L4 mean.

AWD works by only giving power to all four wheels when you need it. Otherwise, it runs like a normal, front-wheel car.

AWD systems can also run all the time, but they do not have different modes for different situations like four-wheel drive vehicles do.

So, if you know that you might have some slippery roads ahead of you, an AWD vehicle is probably the best vehicle for you.

Common AWD vehicles:

• Subaru Crosstrek
• Subaru Outback
• Ford Taurus
• Dodge Challenger
• Ford Fusion
• Fiat 500X

However, if you plan on doing any kind of off-roading, then AWD will not be enough. If you want to conquer serious mud, snow-packed mountain passes, or massive sand dunes, you will need a vehicle with four-wheel drive. That’s when knowing what do H4 and L4 mean is critical.

Not only will you need power going to all four wheels, but you may need to change from H4 to L4 if you are hauling something heavy or going up a steep slope.

If common off-roading is part of your lifestyle, you should definitely get a four-wheel drive vehicle. Not only that, but also learning what do H4 and L4 mean.

The best part about four-wheel drive vehicles is that you can still use them for everyday use! Just put it in H2 mode and you are set to drive to work.

But when it’s the weekend and you are ready for some crazy adventures, H4 and L4 modes are right there waiting to get you through any terrain.

Common four-wheel drive vehicles:

• Jeep Wrangler
• Toyota Land Cruiser
• Range Rover
• Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Ford F-150
• Ram 1500
• Chevrolet Silverado 1500

All these vehicles have an L4 mode as optional, and they can navigate the most challenging terrains out there. No matter your situation, there is the perfect vehicle out there for you.