2007-06-01 21:52:17 · 10 answers · asked by dula_14stars 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ GMC
I think this is a first... 7 answers before mine and they're all correct! But I think the real question might be 'which is best for me...?'
AWD is meant to be used on road, either dry or in periods of slippery conditions. They are not necessarily designed for heavy duty off roading, but most AWD vehicles will get you across a grassy field without trouble. Typically, ground clearance isn't as great as with 4WD. The benefits of AWD include automatic delivery of power to all 4 wheels. You don't have to think about it, it just happens. Oh, and I take my opening comment back - sometimes there is a switch to turn AWD off, like on the 2007 GMC Yukon Denali. And there is sometimes a transfer case, like on the older GMC Safari vans.
4WD is not designed for use over a dry road, so you will typically be running in 2WD mode most of the time. When put into 4WD mode, the power is transferred to both axles equally (and only to all 4 wheels equally if you have a locking diff, but I digress). You also typically have the option of high or low range (for serious off-roading or HD applications like snow plowing), and some vehicles have hubs that lock the axle to the wheel (for fuel economy in 2WD mode).
More than you needed to know?
2007-06-02 02:17:09 · answer #1 · answered by InjunRAIV 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
4wd u can switch between 2 wheels or 4 wheels powering the wheels. awd is that power goes to all of the wheels at all the time..4wd u can turn on and off and awd is on all the time.
2007-06-02 13:03:09 · answer #2 · answered by joseph.holenko 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
AWD gives Equal Torque to all the wheels
4WD Gives the Torque to the wheels that need it the most..
For example: You are stuck in some snow with a AWD car, 3 of your wheels are stuck in the snow, and one happens to be out on nice solid ground. You hit the gas, all the wheels are going to spin at the same speed. Now, you get your 4WD car stuck, 3 wheels are stuck and one is not. You hit the gas, the torque will be given to the wheel with the most grip.
2007-06-01 23:17:22 · answer #3 · answered by limewire 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Would have to agree with 007. Plus in a 4WD you have a transfer Case. It's used to lock all the wheels on a 4WD. All Wheel Drive doesn't have a Transfer Case. Thumbs Up?
2007-06-01 22:05:04 · answer #4 · answered by Orlando C Jr. 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a VERY low tech - light on mechanic-ese offering -
4WD (4 wheel drive) is switchable, has both high and low gear settings and 2 or 4 wheel drive settings.
AWD is a 'permanent' drive on all 4 wheels, also without the lower gear available to the 4WD vehicles.
a couple references are below!
2007-06-01 22:17:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A 4WD has an option of switching between 2WD and 4WD. 2WD is used for highways and city routes, 4wd is used in off-roading trips.
awd is all wheel drive. This does not have the option between 2wd and 4wd. This supplies power to all four wheels all the time. Hence the name "all".
Simple!
P.S. : please give me some thumbs up!
2007-06-01 22:00:31 · answer #6 · answered by Car freak 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
4WD can be selected to be either 4WD or 2WD when you decide by flipping buttons or engaging hubs. AWD is full time 4WD with no capability of 2WD. Make sense?
2007-06-03 05:10:33 · answer #7 · answered by Deano 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All four wheels turn in a AWD.
2007-06-02 01:51:42 · answer #8 · answered by Jim B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
awd is on all the time and usually kicks in within 1 tenth of a second in a upgraded vehicle..............usually on newer model 4x4's they have to be put in 4 wheel drive
2007-06-02 10:11:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Listen to limewire.. its correct what he says.
The others are right but really the way they put it it sound like the same thing....
2007-06-01 23:25:52 · answer #10 · answered by webster 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋