How does a 4-wheel drive vehicle affect gas milage?

Question

Also,what exactly does the term 4-wheel drive mean?

Answer 1

4WD affects gas milage by adding more wait to the drive line, the more you have to spin, the more power it takes, thus using more fuel to create the power. 4Wd systems vary from vehicle to vehicle. But all 4WD consist of a Transmission, a transfercase and differentials. When in 2WD mode the transfer case disengages allowing only power to transmit to rear drive shaft. When you put it in 4WD the transfer case divides the power from fornt to rear, the number of wheels that spin is determined by the differential you have. If you had Positraction front and rear, it would be possible to see all four wheels spin at one time. But not likely. AWD is a whole other story, and we will not go there right now. 4WD do use more gas than a 2WD vehicle, because it has to spin an extra gear in the transfer case.

Best of Luck!

Answer 2

4 wheel drive means that all 4 wheels are turned by the engine. In a front wheel drive, the back wheels are not powered, and in a rear-wheel drive, the front wheels are not powered. Gas mileage is not commonly an issue if you have full time 4 wheel drive, a la Subaru. If it is a Jeep, or other SUV or truck, with a shifter to move it between 2 and 4 wheel drive, the gas mileage in 4 wheel drive will be much less than in 2 wheel drive. Further, using 4 wheel drive in one of these vehicles on dry, smooth road will cause damage to the hubs.

Answer 3

Best 4 Wheel Drive Gas Mileage

Answer 4

Four wheel drive means that the car is driven by all wheels by what is known as a transfer case at the end of the transmission. It affects gas because the engine has to use more power to turn all the wheels at once. My opinion is that four wheel drive cars are good of you go off road, but if you just do ordinary driving, consider just going for a 2-wheel drive car.

Answer 5

Four wheel drive does affect the mileage slightly as it makes a vehicle heavier.
On vehicles with non-locking differentials, one front wheel and one rear wheel turn when stuck or getting unstuck. Some have rear limited slip differentials so both rear wheels turn and one front wheel. Some differentials can be locked so there is no slippage and also there are kits to lock the front differential.
The differentials should not be locked on dry ground as it puts strain on the components, especially the front axle and this could cause damage.

Answer 6

A four wheel drive is a vehicle that uses all four wheels for traction instead of either the front or rear wheels only. Gas mileage decreases mainly because of weight but on some 4x4's if you leave the hubs locked your gas mileage will decrease because you are now trying to turn more parts that dont need to be working.

Answer 7

a 4-wheel drive vehicle will get less mpg than a 2-wheel drive vehicle. 4-wheel drive means all the wheels are driving while 2-wheel drives' front OR rear wheels are the driving wheels and the others just rotate because they are driven by the drive wheels.

Answer 8

The same way you lose power because of the tranny. The transfer case has parasitic drag on the motor so it has to work harder therefore eating into your gas mileage.

As far as 4 wheel drive-the transmission sends power from the motor to your rear wheels and when you engage 4 wheel drive the transfer case sends power to the front wheels.

Answer 9

A Four Wheel Drive Vehical is a Vehical that all four wheels are powered either at all times of when you put the front or rear into gear.
The fule consuption is going to be higher that a conventional two wheel drive car because you are carring around about three hundred extra pounds .

Answer 10

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