I just bought a 2005 Arctic Cat 500 4x4 Auto. Is it normal to keep it in 4 wheel at all times?

No!





Front wheel engagement should be used for road use and high speed cruising. That for stability and handling, steering etc.





Four wheel use is really for poor terrain, snow and should not be used at high speeds like cruising, unless your in a desert perhaps.|||I have several 4X4 ATV's





There is no reason to keep your unit in a 4x4 mode all the time. Your just increasing the wear on the front end.





If you are having an issue getting it out of the 4X4 mode need to take it in for service.


Since it is now about three years old, not a bad idea to do that anyway.|||if it has a selector for 4x4 or 2x4 on it .........when you are on hard flat surfaces such as dirt roads, paved roads, fields and such use the 2x4 mode . this improves the handeling , manuverability ,speed and overall ride of your quad .


4x4 should only be used in places where traction is in question . steep hills , loose or rocky soil etc.


remember that when it is 4x4 that the front wheels are not only steering but pulling at the same time and can cause the quad to take sudden jumps off of rocks , logs , stumps etc. so keep your speed down to keep from fliping or rolling it.