ok im curious on this now. My truck has the manual locking hubs to put it into 4x4. and then the auto button to engage it. if the hubs are not locked in, will the switch put it in 4x4 mode or not, ...
They are automatic, but it is good to move them from auto to lock so that they don't freeze up. I try to remember to move them whenever I was the truck. I know a guy that had to replace them because they froze into the auto position.