So, you own a 4X4. There are some great advantages to having two extra wheels to drive you through mud and snow. They give you additional traction climbing hills and can improve control on ice and snow. Additionally, a 4X4 is F-U-N, fun.

As much as a 4X4 offers the potential for driving fun, on McHenry roads or off, it also offers the potential for additional problems. Mechanical systems can break, and additional mechanical systems offer additional things to break.

As with anything and everything mechanical, service and maintenance offer the best way to stave off problems. If you take care of your car, you have less chance of breaking down. If you have a 4X4, timely maintenance can help you to avoid breakdowns.

Still, breakdowns can and will happen. If you have a 4X4, here are some of the most common problems you may face:

• You could have issues with the suspension: This is particularly true if you take your 4X4 offroad but can also occur with normal driving. Bolts, shocks, tie rods and other parts can break from the wear. Regular inspection and maintenance can ensure that if one part breaks it doesn’t lead to other parts breaking.
• You could have a damaged shifter fork: The shifter fork changes the vehicle from normal 2-wheel drive to 4-wheel drive. If it’s broken, the vehicle may slip back and forth between 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive.
• Your vehicle could be stuck in 4-wheel drive: This problem is more common with older vehicles. Sometimes, driving in reverse a few feet can loosen things up. Either way, if you’re having trouble getting your vehicle into 4-wheel drive, you probably want to have it looked at.
• Your 4X4 may not engage properly: Sometimes the 4-wheel drive engages; sometimes it doesn’t. You may find that you can’t get it into HI 4-wheel drive unless your vehicle is in motion. This can be a problem with the switch or it could be something else. A qualified auto repair technician can tell you.

There are numerous locations around McHenry where you can take your 4X4 offroad. But, whether offroad or on, proper and timely maintenance can help keep you rolling.