all wheel drive/awd and 4 wheel drive? im not a car person and im shopping for my first car!
2007-03-19 08:11:31 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
yes it is, but most people don't think so. count all the wheels, 4 right, so AWD = 4WD. But, in some cars its possible to, via a lever, button etc, to disengage the drive to 2 wheels and only use the 4WD when conditions call for it, snow etc. But I recommend buying full-time AWD (4WD) because the ability to disengage 2 wheels is obsolete technology, it isn't necessary and its 1 more thing to break. Subaru has the most proven AWD system for passenger cars. But a lot of manufacturers are making AWD now. Toyota is a good choice too. Good luck.
2007-03-19 08:35:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
AWD or All Wheel Drive means that the engine drives all 4 wheels always. 4X4 means that the car is capable of toggling between 4x4 (all of the wheels are being driven by the engine) or 4x2 (only 2 sets are being driven, mostly just the rear wheels, or in others just the front wheels like the Ford Escape).
Basically AWD have better handling capabilities than standard 2 wheel drive cars. This is particularly noticeable on slippery roads. However, since the engine has a harder time turning 4 wheels instead of just 2, it has poorer gas mileage than a standard 2 wheel drive.
A 4x4 on the other hand gives you the benefit of both worlds allowing you to shift from one to the other depending on the conditions. The drawback is that 4x4 systems are usually more expensive and bulkier.
There are newer systems nowadays that have built in fuzzy logic that automatically shifts between 4x2 and 4x4 driving modes. A computer continuously monitors slippage in all of the tires and if it detects any of the tires slipping, it automatically engages 4 wheel drive mode. It then switches back to normal 2 wheel drive mode when everything goes back to normal for optimum fuel economy.
2007-03-19 15:28:41 · answer #2 · answered by Tom C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
theres a difference between a awd and a 4 wheel drive.they are both pretty good,but if you live wheres lots of snow,i would recommend a 4 wheel drive,something like a suburu.
2007-03-19 15:17:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
all wheel drive is like an "automatic" four wheel drive system. when a wheel slips on ice or mud, power is automatically transferred to wheels with traction. In a four wheel drive system, once you put it in four wheel drive it is locked in four wheel drive. Both have advantages and disadvantages, but generally speaking if you do most of your driving "on road" but live in an area that gets ice and snow then "all wheel drive" is a good way to go
2007-03-19 15:19:11 · answer #4 · answered by malemute1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is pretty much the same. The AWD may be AWD at all times, where the 4WD is selectable.
2007-03-19 15:28:10 · answer #5 · answered by Thomas S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no all wheel drive means that your car is always in 4x4
in 4 wheel drive vehicles, you can toggle 2x4 and 4x4
2007-03-19 15:15:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋