2013 Cayenne diesel AWD/4WD system

abporsche1 · 11-06-2018, 07:43 PM

Owned 4 months. Looking at owners manual for operation and settings of the AWD/4WD system. Manual is pretty lame, doesn't explain much. It's the wife's commuter, crossing a snowy mountain pass from eastern Washington state to Seattle twice a week. Need good info please.

Barry

Garrett · 11-10-2018, 06:42 AM

What additional info are you looking for? What questions do you have?

abporsche1 · 11-10-2018, 10:59 AM

Do the center, front or rear differentials lock? Does the suspension raise? Is there a low range? (guessing not) If yes to any, can it be set manually or is the system all automatic? How well does it do on dirt, mud and rocks that are lower than the undercarriage? I'm surrounded by hills and mountains, want to take it on rough roads.

https://goo.gl/maps/EtKMRMYDxim

Garrett · 11-10-2018, 12:43 PM

All that info is available on the internet, and your manual.
But I'll bite and provide some quick answers:
Yes, center differential locks on its own but it is not controllable as it's a Torsen-C type of arrangement, unlike the active clutch units like the non-economy oriented types of Cayennes.
No rear diff lock on Diesels. No front diff lock on any Cayenne - ABD (Automatic Brake Differential) compensates for that.
There is no low range; only Gen1 Cayennes have a Low Range transfer case.
If you have air suspension, you'll be able to raise your Cayenne - your lame manual will show you the rocker switch to hit; if you have the lever, you can do it.

Your Cayenne will handle off-road stuff that it clears just fine. As described in your manual, use Off-road Mode 1 to adjust the programming of various systems to aid in traction control, and just drive and enjoy the outdoors. That's all you have to do.