2007-09-14 04:59:36 · 8 answers · asked by Kam 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
Well, that's not quite the whole story.
When talking about a 4x4, one generally is talking about a vehicle that normally runs in 2 wheel drive (though not a requirement in modern systems), except when the 4 wheel drive is needed, like slippery conditions. It has a "low range" which allows it to cavort around in the wild and wooly off-road conditions. These are usually pretty rugged (think Jeep or LandRover).
An AWD vehicle has power to all 4 wheels at all times, even in dry and non-slippery conditions, and they have no "low" capability, making them not as good in off-road conditions (think Volvo XC90 or maybe Explorer - called "car-like" SUVs).
Hope that this helps .
2007-09-14 05:33:35 · answer #1 · answered by hov1free 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Whats 4 Wheel Drive
2016-10-18 01:54:04 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
AWD is most certainly NOT four wheel drive. AWD is mainly two wheel drive. When the computer senses wheel slippage, it will instantly send power to the wheels that are not slipping. Once the computer senses that there is no more slippage, it reverts back to 2 wheel drive. This all happens very quickly without the driver noticing. The car constantly monitors each wheel and makes corrections to each wheel while driving. 4 wheel drive as mainly mechanical. A vehicle must have a transfer case to be 4wd. A T-case is mated to the rear of the transmission and the front and rear drivelines come out and go to the axles. A T-case has several options, 2 hi, 2 lo, 4 hi, and 4 lo. You usually shift the T-case with a lever, there are some that are push button. A T-case does NOT lock your axles together. My jeep is in 4 hi all the time. The difference between hi and lo is the amount of torque you will get. In high, you can drive all day at any speed. In low, you are getting maximum torque but can only go about 20-25 MPH at the max. It is designed for off-road use where slow is the name of the game. In 2 or 4 hi, it is no different than driving a car. In 4 lo, you will be pushing 3000-4000 RPM at only 20-25MPH. Locking your axles together means either installing an electronic or air powered locker in your differential. When activated, it will lock both axle shafts together and both wheels will turn at the same rate. If you drive on-road with them locked, you could damage the drivetrain. They are designed for off-road use where it is likely that one wheel will come off the ground. With a normal differential, when one wheel loses traction, all power is sent to the wheel without traction. You will just sit there and spin your wheel. Not good for off-road. The main difference between AWD and 4wd is that AWD sends power to the wheels that need it and only when they need it. 4wd send power to all four wheels, regardless of whether or not they need it. An AWD car can drive on dirt roads, but they could never go where a 4wd vehicle can go. Take one of those little Subarus on some of the trails that I run my jeep on and the first obstacle we hit the Subaru will need to turn around and go home while my jeep just powers over it in 4 lo.
2016-05-19 04:14:25 · answer #3 · answered by verdie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
4-wheel-drive locks the front and rear axles together. That's why it has to be part-time...if you don't disengage it on the street, it will wear out the tires and drivetrain every time you make a turn.
AWD allows some slip between the front and rear axles, and it is engaged all the time.
About 1 wheel driving, and 1 front/1 rear driving, that's a common misconception.
With an axle with a common, open differential, both wheels receive exactly the same power. If it's slippery and one of them starts spinning, both wheels are still getting exactly the same amount of power, 1 just has more traction than the other.
Same with on a 4x4 with open differentials front and rear. Each front wheel and each rear wheel receives the same amount of power as the one next to it. Whichever one has less traction (or is dangling in the air) will spin though, making it seem like it's the only one receiving power.
2007-09-14 06:40:38 · answer #4 · answered by Eric P 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All wheel drive will act as two wheel drive until traction is lost, and then send power to the other two wheels. Different vehicles do this in different ways; some are rear-wheel biased, some can only split the power in certain ratios, etc. Four wheel drive usually refers to a power set up where all four wheels are pushing all the time.
2007-09-14 05:30:20 · answer #5 · answered by harvityharvharvharv 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
4x4 & 4 wheel drive are usually engaged by the driver with a lever or button only when extra traction is needed. with all wheel drive power go's to all 4 wheels all the time & cannot be disengaged by the driver.
2007-09-14 05:33:56 · answer #6 · answered by Who Dat ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
4X4 YOU CAN TURN ON AND OFF, AWD IS ALL WHEEL DRIVE SO ITS FULL TIME 4 WHEEL DRIVE, MOST CARS USED TO BE JUST TWO WHEEL DRIVE WHICH MEANS ONLY 2 WHEELS GET POWER AND THE OTHER TWO JUST ROLL WITH 4 WHEEL DRIVE ALL THE WHEELS GET POWER BUT USE ALOT MORE FUEL
2007-09-14 08:53:00 · answer #7 · answered by steve 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nothing. They all refer to a 4 wheeled vehicle that all wheels drive or move the vehicle. Ironically in a two wheel drive vehicle only ONE wheel drives the vehicle.
2007-09-14 05:12:45 · answer #8 · answered by MikieB 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋