2006-10-30 07:43:46 · 13 answers · asked by greg p 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
In the 1970`s when 4wd came into being popular, most 4wd cars had the embellishment 4wd ,
And that is what it meant 2 wheels at the front and 2 at the back driving the car..
4WD has progressed since then with differential locks and anti spin systems ,So a 4WD car today
not only gives traction to the front and back wheels ,it at the same time ,and by use of the Differential locking, The Limited Slip Differential and the Central Differential Locking locks all 4 wheels for the transfer of power from motor to drive.
Back and front (4)
Locked back wheels and Locked front wheels (4)
Hence 4x4
2006-10-30 08:15:29 · answer #1 · answered by psychodad 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because there are 4 wheels and the vehicle is driven by all 4. Hence, 4 by 4.
Similarly, 2 wheel drives are sometimes referred to as 4x2s. This is fairly common with SUVs where 4 wheel drive is more common than 2 wheel drive.
2006-10-30 09:01:54 · answer #2 · answered by mseconst 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
4 wheels having power to all 4 tires= 4X4.
2006-10-30 08:11:48 · answer #3 · answered by dread pirate lavenderbeard 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It originally came from the military to indicate to drivers, possibly unfamiliar with an individual vehicle, how many of the wheels were driven and therefore what situations they could get them into and still expect to get them out of again.
4-wheel vehicles, like Jeeps and Land Rovers, were known as 4 x 4's. 6-wheel vehicles, like those big American WW2 trucks and our Alvis Stalwart were known as 6 x 6's.
2006-10-30 07:58:28 · answer #4 · answered by Stephen L 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
4 wheels each with drive hence 4x4
2006-10-30 08:16:58 · answer #5 · answered by dee 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK, a motorcycle would be a 1x2, a front wheel drive car would be a 2x4, and a vehicle with power to all four of its wheels is four by four.
2006-10-30 07:48:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
4 wheels x 4 drive wheels
2006-10-30 07:45:51 · answer #7 · answered by jay 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Because 4x4 equals 16 and 16 is a bigger number than 4.
2006-10-30 07:46:57 · answer #8 · answered by Mike Hunt 5 · 0⤊ 5⤋
Do You know the song..."and the animals went in two by two!"....well it's like that except that....oh who the fcuk am i kidding.....using all four wheels!
2006-10-30 07:52:42 · answer #9 · answered by Coyote 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
instead of only 2 wheels spinning at once all four are spinning so you can get better traction,
2006-10-30 08:02:26 · answer #10 · answered by KD 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋