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Warning lights

4WD / AWD / hill descent light

Steady: four-wheel drive or a driving mode is engaged. Flashing or with a wrench: a drivetrain fault.

Urgency:Safe to keep driving

Is it safe to keep driving?

Yes if it is steady. If it flashes, avoid towing and hard driving until it is checked.

Likely causes

  • A drive mode engaged
  • Transfer case or coupling fault
  • Mismatched tire sizes stressing the system

Typical repair cost (US)

$0 – $2,000

Free if it is a mode; a transfer case actuator or coupling at the high end.

A typical range, not a quote. Actual cost depends on the car, the shop and the fault.

What to do now

  1. Check the drive mode selector.
  2. If it flashes, have the drivetrain code read.