I plan on buying an SUV for both commuting and off-roading. The off-roading won't just be on dirt roads however, but sand dunes, mud, over rocks, etc. I'm confused as to why they say 4WD is better in this situation than AWD. Assume here that both are the same type of frame - truck frames or car frames.
2007-03-02 06:14:56 · 4 answers · asked by GB 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Other - Car Makes
Additional Info - I already have two vehicles, a car and a 4x4 SUV. The SUV is OK for short trips but is not good (vibrates, loud, etc) for longer ones. Hence, cannot take it long distance to do any out-of-state off-roading. Do not want to spend $ for two vehicles, two insurances, etc, but consolidate to one. Most of the time it will be used in town, but it still needs to be able to handle off roading.
2007-03-02 06:47:57 · update #1
Typically an AWD system does not allow low range gearing, you just have a torque split between the front and rear axles, and a computer tells the transfer case or electric motors which axle should receive most of the torque. A true 4WD system is always better for serious offroading. Plus 4WD gives you a low range position for extremely deep mud, sand ect. AWD is mainly just an on road, and gravel road system. Anything more than that you will defeat the system and get stuck. When you buy a 4WD since you want to go offroad with it I suggest getting locking differentials.
2007-03-02 10:17:10 · answer #1 · answered by Bill S 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are the first person who I have ever seen say that they are buying an SUV for commuting AND offroading.
Most people around here shell out tens of thousands of dollars for a land rover or something that could take you across the serengetti - just to drive a few miles to work or to the store. They are paying to maintain a whole extra drive train - and the stupid thing almost never even goes into 4wd.
AWD usually refers to vehicles that have full time 4WD. Being able to turn off your 4wd will save you a lot of money in gas, but you are still lugging around the extra weight.
My suggestion would be to get two vehicles. One reliable car or small truck for commuting that gets decent mileage, and then a vehicle specifically made for offroad, like a jeep or something.
Otherwise you end up having to keep a set of offroading tires on your SUV while driving on road (or maintain an extra set of rims with tires for when you go out in the mud - and then you have to swap them out).
For the amount of money that the average SUV costs, I could easily pick up both vehicles - though I do most of my automotive work myself, so I already save a fortune.
2007-03-02 14:23:03 · answer #2 · answered by joemammysbigguns 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
what type are you looking at a true 4wd is better than a awd 4wd has to be shifted into and it is better for the off road
2007-03-02 14:32:03 · answer #3 · answered by 51 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
4wd and awd is the same in my opinion because is all wheel=4 wheel so 4 wheel and all wheel are same///4 wd is for truck who goes offroading and all wheel drive is just a basic for car with better handling !
2007-03-02 14:35:46 · answer #4 · answered by azn_gtc 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋