My Dodge Durango has a swich and it's always on AWD, and I'm guessing I'm supposed to switch it to 4WD when i go off road or driving on the snow. Can anybody explain the difference between the two, cuz people always ask me but i'm not sure of my answer.
2006-08-01 12:22:19 · 3 answers · asked by VetteLeo 6 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
In many cases, manufactures have often used both to mean the same thing.
But in the case of your Durango, I am guessing that it has a center differential to allow the wheels at opposite ends to turn at different speeds. And when you switch it to 4WD, it locks the center differential so that the wheels all turn at the same speed. This can give you more traction in very slippery conditions, but it's not good for your tires to drive this way on pavement.
2006-08-02 02:01:11 · answer #1 · answered by Mad Scientist Matt 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
ALL WHEEL DRIVE:
Definition: A vehicle where all four wheels are driven, but there's no transfer case like a four-wheel drive rig. Most AWD setups are full time systems for year-round driving, and use a viscous fluid coupling center differential instead of a transfer case to route drive torque to all four wheels. This allows the front and rear wheels to turn at slightly different speeds when turning on dry pavement. Most folks do not consider this the same as four-wheel drive. It can be useful (and more fuel economical) in pavement driving where you're mainly negotiating bad weather conditions.
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE
Definition: A method of driving a vehicle by applying engine torque to all four wheels thru the use of a transfer case, differentials and hubs. Various schemes are used for 4WD including part-time, full-time and variable four-wheel drive. To help cut the drive train drag (and reduced fuel economy) that most 4WD's have, a transfer case is included that allows the driver to select either two- or four-wheel drive depending on driving conditions. Some performance cars have full-time variable four-wheel drive and use a computer-controlled transfer case to route power between the wheels.
2006-08-01 19:31:52 · answer #2 · answered by JAK 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2006-08-01 19:29:32 · answer #3 · answered by Cybeq 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋