# Hubs locked, transfer case in 2WD: bad idea? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 24, 2005, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hubs-locked-transfer-case-in-2wd-bad-idea/296083 "2005-03-24T20:30:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Nunavut\_Boy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e95f7d/32.png) [@Nunavut\_Boy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nunavut_Boy)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hubs-locked-transfer-case-in-2wd-bad-idea/296083/1 "2005-03-24T20:30:01Z")
The roads are starting to get better now, and it’s more ‘fun’ to drive in 2WD around corners and such, but I still need 4WD frequently. Is it a bad idea to drive around with the T-case in 2WD but still have the hubs locked? What exactly does locking the hubs do? ---
**Author:** ![Megatool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Megatool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Megatool)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hubs-locked-transfer-case-in-2wd-bad-idea/296083/2 "2005-03-24T20:36:14Z")
I do it all the time, but it is not recommended as I understand it because locking the hubs locks the axles to wheels causing them to spin unnecessarily and causing excessive wear and associated loss in power. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hubs-locked-transfer-case-in-2wd-bad-idea/296083/3 "2005-03-24T21:01:39Z")
I do it all the time on a 93 Pathfinder. You have to back it up to unlock the hubs, and since I use 4x4 every day for about 6 months out of the year, often, during winter I leave them locked in. (Until I happen to back up while in 2WD, they they unlock automatically) Often, say just going to work and home, I don’t need to back up. It will cause a bit more where though.