- Drive-thru oil changes
- No appointment needed
- Mobil 1 oils only
- Car wash on site
4x4 Service
in Parsippany, NJ
4×4 drive service to keep your four-wheel-drive system ready for any terrain. Starting at $99.99.
- Starting at $99.99
- For 4WD trucks and SUVs
- Ready for winter roads
- Call 973-335-3000
4x4 Service in Parsippany
Our 4×4 service, listed on our menu as 4×4 Drive Service, keeps your four-wheel-drive system ready for any terrain. It is available at Hogwash Oil Change Center, 1600 US-46 in Parsippany, NJ, starting at $99.99.
Four-wheel drive is a real asset in a northern New Jersey winter, but only if it works when you switch it on. The parts that make it work spend most of the year idle, and that is exactly why they deserve attention on a schedule.
Our skilled technicians provide reliable service with attention to detail, using the latest equipment. Because 4WD systems differ widely between vehicles, call 973-335-3000 with your year, make and model so we can confirm what the service covers for yours.
What Makes Up a 4WD System
A typical part-time four-wheel-drive truck or SUV has three gear assemblies in the drivetrain. The transfer case sits behind the transmission and sends power to the front axle when 4WD is engaged. The front differential and the rear differential split power between the left and right wheels on each axle.
Each of those units runs in its own fluid, and on many vehicles each takes a different type. Full-time four-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive systems add their own variations, such as a center differential or an electronically controlled coupling. That variety is why a 4×4 service is always matched to the specific vehicle.
Transfer Case Fluid Change
The transfer case is the heart of a 4WD system. Inside are gears, and on many vehicles a chain, that engage when you shift into four-wheel drive. The fluid keeps them lubricated and cool. Over time, heat and normal wear break the fluid down and leave fine metal particles in it.
A transfer case fluid change drains the old fluid and refills the case with the type your manufacturer specifies. Using the correct fluid matters; some transfer cases use gear oil, some use automatic transmission fluid, and some call for a manufacturer-specific fluid. Your owner’s manual lists which one applies.
How Often to Change Transfer Case Fluid
Intervals vary by manufacturer, and many owner’s manuals list both a normal and a severe-service schedule. Severe service usually includes towing, plowing, off-road driving, deep water, and frequent use of four-wheel drive, which describes a good share of trucks in snowy parts of New Jersey.
If your manual lists a severe-service schedule and you use your 4WD often, that is the one to follow. If you do not know when the transfer case or differentials were last serviced, ask about a 4×4 service on your next visit.
Signs Your 4WD System Needs Attention
Watch for these signs, especially when shifting in and out of four-wheel drive:
- Trouble engaging or disengaging 4WD
- A 4WD or service warning light on the dash
- Grinding, clunking or whining from under the vehicle
- Binding or hopping in tight turns on dry pavement while in 4WD
- Fluid spots under the middle or front of the vehicle
Some of these can point to problems beyond a fluid service, so have them checked promptly rather than waiting for the next snowfall.
4x4 Service vs. Differential Service
The two services overlap but are not the same. A differential service focuses on the differential, the gear set that lets the wheels on one axle turn at different speeds. Most vehicles have at least one, whether they are front-wheel, rear-wheel or four-wheel drive.
A 4×4 service is aimed at the four-wheel-drive system as a whole, which on many vehicles includes the transfer case as well as front and rear differentials. If you drive a 4WD truck or SUV, ask which service fits your vehicle best when you call.
Part-Time vs. Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive
Part-time 4WD systems run in two-wheel drive most of the time, and the driver switches into four-wheel drive with a lever, button or dial when conditions call for it. Because the front axle is locked to the rear in 4WD, these systems are meant for slippery surfaces, not dry pavement.
Full-time 4WD and many all-wheel-drive systems send power to all four wheels continuously, using a center differential or coupling to let the axles turn at different speeds. Their fluids work every mile, so their service needs can differ from part-time systems. Your owner’s manual explains which type your vehicle has.
Towing, Plowing and Off-Road Use
Trucks and SUVs that tow trailers, push snow or leave the pavement put their drivetrains under much more load than a daily commute does. Heat builds up faster in the transfer case and differentials, and water or grit can find its way in during off-road use.
If your vehicle works hard, the severe-service schedule in your owner’s manual is the one to follow, and fluid checks after especially demanding use are worth the time. Tell us how you use the vehicle when you call so the service matches the way it is driven.
What to Tell Us When You Call
Four-wheel-drive systems vary a lot, so a few details help us give you a clear answer:
- Year, make and model, plus the trim if you know it
- Whether the vehicle is part-time 4WD, full-time 4WD or AWD
- Approximate mileage
- When the transfer case and differentials were last serviced, if ever
- Whether you tow, plow or drive off-road
Call 973-335-3000 Monday through Saturday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
4x4 Service Cost
Our 4×4 Drive Service starts at $99.99. The exact price depends on the vehicle, how many units it has and the fluids they require. For related work, our differential service also starts at $99.99.
Prices as listed on our service menu. Starting prices vary by vehicle; call 973-335-3000 with your year, make and model.
4WD Service Before a Morris County Winter
Snow, slush and road salt are part of every Morris County winter, and they are when most drivers rely on four-wheel drive. Getting the system serviced in the fall means it is ready before you need it.
It also helps to know your own vehicle before the first storm. Find the 4WD controls, read the owner’s manual section on when to use each mode, and practice engaging four-wheel drive on a safe, slippery surface such as a snowy lot. Remember that four-wheel drive helps you get moving, but it does not shorten stopping distances, so the usual winter care still applies: slower speeds, more following distance and tires in good condition. If a 4WD warning light comes on, or the system will not engage, call us before you rely on it in bad weather.
Winter prep often goes beyond the drivetrain. Fresh wiper blades, a radiator flush and fill for the cooling system, and a serpentine belt check are common add-ons. See the full list of services.
4x4 Maintenance Between Visits
A few habits help a 4WD system last. Engage four-wheel drive for a short stretch every so often, even in dry months, so the parts stay lubricated; your owner’s manual may recommend how and when. Avoid using part-time 4WD on dry pavement, where it can bind. After deep water or heavy mud, have the fluids checked, since water can get into the housings.
And keep up with the basics. Regular oil changes, such as our Mobil 1 oil change, and tire rotation matter even more on 4WD vehicles, where uneven tire wear can strain the drivetrain.
4x4 Service Questions
Answers to the questions drivers ask most about 4WD service.
Maintenance to keep your four-wheel-drive system ready for any terrain. Call 973-335-3000 to confirm what it covers for your vehicle.
Our 4×4 Drive Service starts at $99.99. The exact price depends on your vehicle.
Draining the old fluid from the transfer case and refilling it with the type your manufacturer specifies.
Follow your owner’s manual, and use the severe-service schedule if you tow, plow or use 4WD often.
Many AWD vehicles have differentials or couplings with their own fluid. Call us with your vehicle details to ask.
Monday through Saturday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
4x4 Service for Morris County Drivers
Truck and SUV owners come to our Parsippany shop from across Morris County, including Montville, Rockaway, Hanover Township, Pine Brook and Mountain Lakes.
Find us on US-46 in Parsippany
1600 US-46, Parsippany, NJ 07054 · Mon–Sat 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Keep your 4WD ready
Call 973-335-3000 or drive in to 1600 US-46, Parsippany.