I work at a junk yard and we have many non-running cars. Sometimes we tow the cars out and we need to know if the cars are front or rear wheel drive for when they are being towed. Is there a rule of thumb to know if a car is front or rear wheel drive? Or are there certain years and makes of cars that are front wheel drive? If anyone knows any advice on how I can figure it out, that would be great. Thanks!!!
2006-12-20 18:10:54 · 12 answers · asked by e e in california 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
You have to look under the car:
Rear Drive: there is a driveshaft that connects the gear to the rear differential
Front Drive: there is no driveshaft that connects the Gear to the rear differential, the front ax of the front wheels are connected to the gear
4x4: there is a driveshaft that connects the gear to the rear differential and another smaller driveshaft connects (an auxiliary gear) to the front wheels
2006-12-20 19:15:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anas 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There is no overall rule of thumb.
Many small cars are FWD, but there are still many makes (BMW, Mercedes) that are RWD. Most large cars are RWD, but a lot were designed as FWD (Oldsmobiles, Buicks.) Perhaps 75% of the cars in the 1990's were FWD (nearly all Japanese cars), but the trend has been changing to more RWD cars for American cars in the 2000's.
The way to know 'for sure' is to look at the rear axle.
If there is a large round 'pumpkin' (the rear differential unit) in the center of the axle, then the car is RWD.
If you can see a drive shaft between the rear diff and the transmission in the center of the car, then it's RWD.
On the other hand, if the rear axle is a lightweight round or square tube only, with no separate drive shafts going to wheels, then the car is FWD.
And if you can see the front axle and there are half-shafts coming from the transaxle with rubber boots (the CV or constant velocity joints), then the car is probably FWD. (It could also be AWD if there is a center differential and transmission. Subarus are all AWD.
2006-12-20 18:24:54 · answer #2 · answered by Tom-SJ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most small cars are front wheel except Mustang and such. Look to see if there is a drive shaft going to the rear. If not, it's front wheel drive.
2006-12-20 18:14:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Look under it....
If you don't Know your models of each brand yet...
The only thing you can do is look under the car...
You have Front wheel drive
Four wheel Drive
Rear wheel drive
Or ALL Wheel Drive
There is no rule of thumb til you learn each model of each brand...
Good Luck....
2006-12-20 18:12:14 · answer #4 · answered by Spinner...428 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If there is a rear differential, AKA a pumpkin on the rear axle, it's rear or four wheel drive, FWD cars don't have them.
AWD cars with automatic trannies like Subaru have to be trailored.
2006-12-20 18:18:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
All you have to do is open the car bonnet and look at the engine, if the engine was parallel its a front wheel drive and if it vertical its four wheel or rear wheel drive. Cheers!
2006-12-20 20:01:22 · answer #6 · answered by warbird 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Well look under it and see if there is a driver line coming to the back if not its front wheel drive.
2006-12-20 18:22:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
warbird,some front drive chryslers have the engine sitting front to back like a rear drive car and need to be front lifted as well as old cadillac toronado,front drive v8
2006-12-21 02:52:00 · answer #8 · answered by doug b 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
look under the car and you will be able to see. The easiest way is to see if the rear suspention is connected to transmission with the driveshaft.
2006-12-20 18:18:02 · answer #9 · answered by Lou S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
lift the hood up, if the engine is sideways, its frontwheel drive except for older cadillacs and some oldsmobiles
2006-12-21 04:46:13 · answer #10 · answered by bayareart1 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋