2006-11-22 04:51:18 · 8 answers · asked by CXfan 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
Depending on the transfer case and axles type, 4 wheel drive puts the engine power on as many as 4 wheels. That's good when you want to push the vehicle through uneven or slippery surfaces.
In a skid, you have lost friction on one or more wheels, so adding engine power (or using the engine to brake) won't help much.
To end the slide, you need to regain friction with the ground and tires. A stability control system, which has steering, vehicle direction & acceleration inputs as well as speed sensors for each wheel, can independently apply and release the brakes to any wheel much faster than any driver can, and will provide exceptional skid control.
The other way is to use tire chains.
2006-11-22 05:27:30 · answer #1 · answered by Tom-SJ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
4-wheel drive does not mean 4-wheel stop. However, situations that would normally stop another vehicle wouldn't likely stop you.
Even on a 2-wheel drive vehicle, you don't have 2-wheel drive. You have 1-wheel drive that can be either 'this side' or 'that side'. All-wheel drive is the same thing, but you have 4 possibilities instead. The computer will sense which wheel would get the least amount of slip, so it diverts power to that wheel.
With 4-wheel drive, all 4 wheels are simultaneously turning. If you're in the mud or snow, where your traction is impaired, the 4x4 wouldn't likely be stuck.
2006-11-23 10:59:49 · answer #2 · answered by DA 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a person who survived from an accident in a jeep (4x4 Isuzu Trooper) which two people died and two people injured due to skid on rain I say that the driver and his or her knowledge on the vehicle is the most important thing. Most of the people are aware that 4x4's have strong motor brakes (compressions) which may start a skid without touching the brakes. So learn the nature, your car more and adopt yourself to different conditions. Dont expect to much from offroad vehicles.
2006-11-23 10:23:39 · answer #3 · answered by Dardanus 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it helps it to go better in place where a normal vehicle wont go ,and it wont get stuck,like the other ones will ,but there are a lot of was it helps,and nothing will go good on ice,and there's no guarantee you wont skid on snow,most of it is up the driver to be safe,the 4 wheel drive part is just a tool and if you know how to use that tool it works well,,good luck,i hope this help,s.
2006-11-22 12:58:36 · answer #4 · answered by dodge man 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
For ME, it's a life saver out in the desert, where 2WD vehicles fear to tread. 4X4's can get stuck too in real deep, loose sand, but not as quickly as a 2WD.
This is what 4WD was invented for. NOT for preventing skids.
2006-11-22 22:39:04 · answer #5 · answered by Trump 2020 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
four wheel drive will keep from getting stuck in mud and deep snow.
It does not replace the need to drive carefully.
2006-11-22 12:56:34 · answer #6 · answered by kstrucker69 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it doesn't help you while breaking and skidding, but it can help you stay in control to begin with and avoid the need to skid and break.
2006-11-22 12:54:58 · answer #7 · answered by czekoskwigel 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
what kstrucker said!
2006-11-22 12:59:14 · answer #8 · answered by littlegoober75 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋