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Brad75
Member
Date registered: Dec 2018
Location: Philadelphia
Vehicle(s): Sprinter/G550
Posts: 19
| 4Matic System?
I just picked up a 2015 G550 and just found out you can’t lock the diffs while in 4hi with this model year. Here in Pa we have mud, snow and the occasional gravel pits with the majority of the mud being on long forest roads and trails which are ideal for 4hi. Having the ability to lock the center and rear would have been nice. Am I losing much capability by not being able to lock them in 4hi or can the 4matic system handle things sufficiently?
Edited by Brad75 12/30/2018 7:05 PM
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gbenzer
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Dec 2006
Location: Georgia
Vehicle(s): 2007 G-500, 2017 Audi Q7
Posts: 418
| Re: 4Matic System?
The reasoning behind those factory decisions are several, I think.
1. Once leaving a paved surface to a surface of uncertain traction and smoothness it has been normal practice to go into Low range to keep RPM's up to keep torque up.
2. You never know when you will encounter a condition where you need the torque and traction.
3. You don't want to travel at high speeds in mud and snow as you mentioned.
4. A transmission shifting into a higher gear may cause a loss of control (traction) and will decrease the torque due to decreased engine output.
5. If the rear diff and the center diff need to be locked then traveling fast enough to need to be in Hi range seems contraindicated.
As for 4MATIC handling things I think 4MATIC is merely a name for the transmission in a four wheel drive system but you would have the ABS and other stability systems available in all MB vehicles. |
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Brad75
Member
Date registered: Dec 2018
Location: Philadelphia
Vehicle(s): Sprinter/G550
Posts: 19
| Re: 4Matic System?
Typically in 4high I’m driving anywhere from 0-40mph. 40mph being mainly on the beach or for situations where I need some momentum like a hill or something. when in 4Low I’m going around 0-15mph. All I’m saying is a rear locker would be nice for when I’m driving down a forest road and a mud hole comes up. Now I have to stop, neutral, 4 low, lock, crawl forward, unlock, 4high an then carry on.
Edited by Brad75 12/30/2018 8:23 PM
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Otiswesty
Administrator
Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3018
| Re: 4Matic System?
Yes, I think in 2013 this changed for the low range requirement. It should be possible to defeat this with addition of a ground or electronic trigger to the locker switch pack. I would recommend reaching out to some of the bigger G class vendors to see if they have the knowledge to make this modification.
This feature was widely denounced when the 2013 model was released. The upside of the 2013+ is that at least you have the frame towing bracket in place again.
Let us know if you come up with a fix. |
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WEBIII
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Oct 2010
Location: Inlet Beach, FL
Vehicle(s): 461.318, 463.241
Posts: 317
| Re: 4Matic System?
Does this “feature” also exist in the 2013+ 461? |
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