What is the difference between 4WD and AWD?

Question

More and more people are discovering the benifits of driving vehicles with all their wheels driven. With more traction and control, there's little place that these machines can not go. They can be as sleek as the Infiniti G35X AWD or as rough as the legendary Humvee. But what do you think is the difference between AWD and 4WD? THE MORE SOURCES YOU LIST, THE BETTER.

Answer 1

4WD includes low-range gearing that helps a vehicle tackle deep mud or snow as well as more-challenging off-road conditions, such as climbing over rocky terrain or descending steep hills. The vehicle must be stopped or slowed to a crawl to shift in or out of low range, which is done with either a lever or a switch.

AWD has become almost as common as 4WD. AWD lacks the low-range gearing of a 4WD system, but still provides all the traction that's needed for the types of slippery conditions that drivers typically encounter, including inclement weather road conditions and light off-roading. In fact, a vehicle's off-road capabilities are often more limited by ground clearance than by AWD. All AWD systems are full-time, which means you never have to shift between AWD and 2WD modes.

Answer 2

wow, some interesting answers, some correct some incorrect. Here is the scoop: A 4wd system is typically refers to a vehicle which has a center locking differential, which lock the front and rear axles together, so they will both turn at the same speed. But the type of axle also makes a big difference, some are open, and some are limited slip, posi, antispin etc. AWD typically refers to a system which does not have a center differential. Many vehicles today use a viscous type coupling to transfer power between axles based on slipage.

Answer 3

The difference is superficial. 4WD usually refers to a system using a transfer case (as in trucks and SUVs) and are usually part-time -they have to be engaged by the driver. AWD typically describes a drivetrain that uses a center differential to split power between front and back, and in most cases, AWD operates full-time, without driver intervention. But in the strict definition, which simply means that all four wheels can be driven by the motor, AWD and 4WD are interchangeable terms.

Answer 4

If a vehical is AWD, it has four wheels going at all times. A vehical with 4WD has a transfercase, and can shift between 4wheel high, 4wheel low, and 2wheel high. With AWD, usually it is computer controlled. When it senses a wheel is slipping, it sends more power to other wheels to keep the vehical on track. With 4wd, like on our Silverado, it sends the power to all the wheels, and if i wheels isnt getting traction it just wont turn. thats why people get locking differentials, so they can always keep ther wheels spinning.

Answer 5

AWD is All Wheel Drive and means that all 4 wheels are engaged at the same time all the time. 4 wheel drive (4WD)means that there is the capability of having all 4 wheels engaged but the driver/user must manually engage it.

Answer 6

There is no difference. However, they indicate the status. Meaning, in a 4WD vehicle, you typically have to switch from 2WD to 4WD by the use of a switch, whearas in an AWD vehicle, it is a permanent situation without options to turn it off.

Answer 7

I don't really know if there is any difference. I think the cars that are 4wd are made for more off roading but the awd only drives with all 4 wheels.

Answer 8

A little tidbit to add to the other good answers. I read that with AWD you cannot use tires with different levels of wear. In other words, if your tires are 1/2 worn out and you need to replace one due to damage or whatever, you must replace all four, or it will cause the drive train to wear out prematurely.

WOW! I sure don't want AWD

Answer 9

awd is a computer monitored limited slip set up with only 2 wheels driving at any given time until towing or going off road and your traction falters then the computer makes up for the loss of traction

fwd is a positraction set up where all four wheels are going at any given time

Answer 10

4 Wheel Drive usually means it can be switched from 4 wheel drive to 2 wheel drive when the driver prefers. however, All Wheel Drive is just full time 4 wheel drive. you cant switch it out. I know on some of them, like the subaru imprezza WRX STi, it has a contol for the center differential so you can transfer the power to more towards the back wheels or center the power to them all... they usually have some sort of electronic stability control too...