GIRLS! what does front wheel, back wheel or 4 wheel drive mean?

Question

My boyfriend was telling me that he wanted to buy a 4 wheel drive car cus he said it handles better. So I said, how can that be if all the wheels turn at the same time, your more likely to crash - arent you?
He laughed hysterically and said thats not what 4 wheel drived means. So I said so back wheel drive doesnt mean that the back wheels turn and the front follow and front wheel drive doesnt mean that the front wheels dont turn with the back following?

He says that front wheel means the engine DRIVES the front wheels. I asked a couple of people and a few of them agreed with me.

Did anyone else think that * wheel drive means that thats where the steering comes from?

Answer 1

Do yourself a favour and buy a pushbike or better still a unicycle then you only have 1 wheel to worry about lol

Answer 2

I thought this question was only for girls???


Front wheel drive means that the power from the engine transfers to the front wheels and they pull the car forward.

Rear wheel drive is the opposite, The power from the engine transfers to the rear wheels which then pushes the car forward.

Four wheen drive means that the power from the engine is transfered to all of the wheels to give power from all four.

Four-wheel drive, 4x4 ("four by four"), all-wheel drive, (AWD for short) are terms used to describe a four-wheeled vehicle with a system that allows all four wheels to receive power from the engine simultaneously. Most people think exclusively of off-road vehicles, powering all four wheels provides better control on slick ice and is an important part of rally racing on mostly-paved roads.

Four-wheel drive was the original term, often used to describe truck-like vehicles that required the driver to manually switch between a two wheel drive mode for streets and a four-wheel drive mode for low traction conditions such as ice, mud, or loose gravel.

You also find that some bigger vehicles will use a multi drive system the ensure that they get good traction (grip) when they are moving heavy items over difficult surfaces.

I hope this helps.

Also you seriously need to think about how your boyfriend handled your questions.
Maybe you should challange him with something stereotypically girlie like eyeliner or even better TAMPONS!!!

Answer 3

Thank you, you have just put the biggest smile on my face.
Gentlemen, this is why the ladies shouldn't be allowed near cars...............only joking. Are you sure your not related to my wife!
Front wheel drive = the engine is powering the front wheels, essentially pulling the car
Rear wheel drive = the engine is powering the rear wheels, pushing the car.
4 wheel drive = all wheels are powered although on most this can be selected.
Honda did produce a car with 4 wheel steering but I think we better stop here.
Have a great Sunday and thanks again :o)

Answer 4

front wheel drive means that the engine powers the front wheels and they go round and the backs just follow and vice versa for rear wheel drive. eg. a bicycle is rear wheel drive. you pedal the the chain moves the rear wheel. if u lift the bike up while turning the pedals, the front wheel won't move but the back will. 4 wheel drive means that all 4 wheels are powered by the engine so all 4 turn.

Answer 5

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing... your boyfriend doesn't even know why he wants to buy a four wheel drive, you are right... the word define itself. I'm with the answer that "Bongo"
gave. and want to add: vehicles are usually driven by one wheel, front or rear, the others follow. On two wheel drive: two wheels has the power, the others follow. On four wheel drive there is power at the four wheels

Answer 6

He should laugh hysterically!!

To keep this simple.

(RWD) Rear wheel drive - the power to move forward is provided by the rear wheels turning, the FRONT wheels steer.
Found MAINLY on more powerful cars.

(FWD) Front Wheel drive - Provide the drive AND the steering
Most common on smaller cars - makes for very predictable handling & cheaper to build.

4 wheel drive - add RWD & FWD together.... more for performance vehicles. VERY stable.

odd system... 4 wheel drive & 4 wheel steering.
Honda (I think) developed a system that also steered the rear wheel a TINY bit to make manouvering at low speeds easier - it switched off at higher speeds.

Answer 7

Front wheel drive means the front wheel PULL'S the car and so does all the work. Rear wheel drive means the back wheels PUSHES the car and do all the work. 4 wheel drive means all the wheel do the work and the car has more control, for example if it is muddy or really icy.

Answer 8

Sorry hun your on your own here i think, 4 wheel drive means all four wheels are being powered by the engine so all four are driving the car along, front wheel drive means only the front wheels are being powered and rear wheel, well you get the point dont you.As far as i know all standard road vechiles are only steered by the front wheels.

Answer 9

It's in relation to which wheels drive the car either that back or the front are powered by the drive shaft, or all four if four wheel drive.

Answer 10

front wheel drive is how most new cars are made today, that means when you take off, the front wheels move you, easier to handle and good on ice and snow....rear wheels are when you drive you are propelled with the rear wheels, good for racing but not good on snow, 4 wheel drive is mostly for off roading, your car is using all 4 wheels to drive and it helps you from getting stuck in places when you are off roading...