Could you explain to me the difference between?

Question

front wheel drive, 4 wheel drive and all wheel drive. Tried to come up with an answer for my young daughter, but unable to make a coherent reply. Thanks a bunch!

Answer 1

They describe which wheels the engine directly provides power for. For example, if you have a front wheel drive car, the two front wheels are the ones that spin from the power provided by the engine. If you have an all wheel drive car, the engine provides power to all wheels.

Four wheel drive and all wheel drive are equivalent assuming your car has four wheels. Front wheel drive cars mean the front wheels are powered. Most commercial cars are front wheel drive.

Answer 2

All wheel drive typically refers to systems in which all 4 wheels are always being driven by the motor.
4 wheel drive systems typically have the option of having 2 wheels(usually the rear wheels) or all 4 wheels driven by the motor. There is a selector that engages and disengages the 4 wheel drive system. 4 wheel drive systems also usually have locking hubs which save on gas when in 2 wheel drive mode, letting the un-driven wheels roll freely.
Front Wheel Drive means that the front wheels are driven by the motor.

Answer 3

OK here goes.
Front wheel drive is just that, the rear wheels are not powered by anything, like a trailer.

4 Wheel drive is accomplished by shifting a lever transferring power to both sets of wheels, front and back.

All wheel drive means that all wheels are turning under power all the time like a Subaru.

Answer 4

front wheel drive spins the front wheels to power car,4 wheel drive gives you the option of using 2 or 4 wheel drive,all wheel drive uses all wheels and you cant turn it of like 4 wheel drive

Answer 5

Ok-Front wheel drive, drives front wheels only, drags rear wheels.Four wheel drive can be part time ie selected to operate in 4 wheel drive,by push button are manually applied,whilst ALL wheel drive is exactly that, drives on all 4wheels and cannot be separated.In other words is driving on 4 wheels all the time.Hope tis explains for you.

Regards BILLFITCH

Answer 6

Most standard vehicles have rear wheel drive, which means that the two back tires are the drive tires, where the force for movement is generated. The front tires on cars like that are used for steering. Basically, the rear wheels are pushing the vehicle.

Front wheel drive cars also use the front tires for steering, but the power for driving comes from the front tires as well. The front tires are basically pulling the car along. Since the front of your car is what goes into snowbanks or mudpuddles first, it's easier to get out when your front tires are doing the pulling (driving forward) or pushing (when you are in reverse). Additionally, the front of your vehicle is heavier than the rear because of the added weight of the motor. Front wheel drive vehicles take advantage of that, which helps them gain extra traction.

All wheel drive vehicles have power going to all four tires. That means the front tires are pulling while the back tires are pushing. The front tires still do the steering, but you get more power and control because all the tires are working.

Four wheel drive is sort of like all wheel drive. The difference is that it is not used all the time. Four wheel drive puts power into all the tires, so all four of your tires are drive tires. Again, the steering takes place in the front tires, but you get better grip and traction because all four tires are working. Also, as noted with front wheel drive vehicles, you benefit from the weight of the motor up front.I drive a 4-wheel drive pickup truck. I only use 4-wheel drive when I am either off road in a sticky situation, like muddy conditions, or in the snow, when I need the extra power of having the front tires helping the back tires generate traction and pull. When it isn't in 4-wheel drive, it's just a basic rear wheel drive setup.

Unless you drive in a lot of snow or rain, you can usually get by with regular rear wheel drive vehicles, which is why it is standard on most vehicles. All wheel drive is best for mixed conditions where you have a lot of rain or tricky conditions that come up occasionally. Front wheel drive is great in all conditions except the very worst, as well, because you're vehicle is pulled along, which is easier than having it pushed. And 4-wheel drive is good for extra weird conditions, like 4-wheeling offroad, or serious snow.

I live where it snows, and if I get stuck somewhere, and my regular tires (rear wheel drive) can't get me out, I simply shift into 4x4, and I can pull myself out without problems. The biggest difference is that 4-wheel drive is not used all the time--it's just for special conditions.

Hope that helps you out.

Answer 7

Typically, 4 wheel drive is just that, all 4 wheels drive when the selector is in that configuration. Normally, it is in 2 wheel drive and it usually has two ranges, high and low.

All wheel drive is always all wheel drive, all the time.

Answer 8

Here goes,
Front wheel drive - only the front axle, front wheels propel the vehicle, all power from the drivetrain is devoted to the front wheels.

4 wheel drive, or 4x4 = all 4 wheels, or both axles propel the car. Power is distributed to the front and rear axle, many offroad vehicles, SUV, etc + all Subaru

All wheel drive = 4x4 , same thing, all wheels on the car help push, or pull.

Answer 9

Front wheel drive the front wheels supply the power to the road. Four wheel drive the rear wheels supply the power to the road until you engauge the four wheel drive system then all wheels supply power to the road. All wheel drive all wheels supply power all the time period.Hope this helps.

Answer 10

Front wheel drive means the drive train is in front of the car. 4 wheel drive and all whell drive mean the same. Drive train connected to all 4 wheels.