My husband insists on having 4WD because we live in NNY and get plenty of snow, but I could care less. I guess I don't understand the difference between the two. Is one better than the other? Help me find a clue please!
2007-10-19 10:16:39 · 6 answers · asked by michelle a 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
I believe it used to be that AWD referred to using a variable coupling in the transfer case (either a viscous coupling or an extra differential), and 4WD was a solid connection (like the old Jeeps that had to be shifted in and out of 4WD.) These days, the terms seems to be used interchangably.
Good luck!
2007-10-19 10:23:05 · answer #1 · answered by Me 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wow, some interesting answers, some correct some incorrect. Here is the scoop: A 4wd system is typically refers to a vehicle which has a center locking differential, which lock the front and rear axles together, so they will both turn at the same speed. But the type of axle also makes a big difference, some are open, and some are limited slip, posi, antispin etc. AWD typically refers to a system which does not have a center differential. Many vehicles today use a viscous type coupling to transfer power between axles based on slipage.
2016-05-23 20:09:56 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
4 wheel drive is usually a part-time system and generally has to be engaged the the driver. All Wheel Drive is always on and is seemless.
I have both types- a truck with 4WD and an all wheel drive compact sedan. The only advantage of the 4WD truck is its high ground clearance in drifts. We get those too in eastern PA. Otherwise, the All Wheel Drive is better in every other situation.
Think of this; right now it's autumn and the leaves are falling and it's rainy today. When you pull out into a busy intersection, just step on the gas and there is no wheelspin. Same is true after a light rain in the summer. You always have traction without having to push buttons or pull levers.
I will not buy front , rear or 4wd trucks or cars anymore, All Wheel Drive is the way to go!
2007-10-19 10:42:43 · answer #3 · answered by KevIn 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
by my understanding, the simple answer is this:
In 4wd (4 wheel drive) the front or rear wheels don't receive power until a transfer case is engaged, so it's either always 2 wheel drive or 4 wheel drive when the gears are manually engaged.
ALL wheel drive means that all 4 wheels are receiving power all the time in one measure or another. 50-50 front to rear, 30-70 front rear or even side to side in some cases. It's more or less an automatic process.
So, 4WD is you manually shift it into 4WD, AWD more or less does it itself.
Depending on what kind & where you're driving, they are about equal. If I were going off road, I'd say 4WD. on a normal street, I'd say AWD.
2007-10-19 10:23:26 · answer #4 · answered by Ursan 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Four-wheel drive (4WD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) are different types of automotive drive systems.
All-wheel drive systems continuously power all four wheels and provide maximum traction in all driving conditions. AWD is very useful on roads with slippery surfaces in and when driving in moderate off-road terrain. As AWD systems are full-time, there is no requirement for the driver to manually shift the transmission into AWD mode. AWD systems are lighter and more compact than 4WD systems and are increasingly being supplied with regular sedan or sports utility vehicles.
Four-wheel drive systems can be part-time or full-time. In a part-time system the driver manually shifts between two- and four-wheel drive, and a part-time 4WD vehicle should not be driven on dry roads when in 4WD mode.
Many 4WD systems are full-time. In a conventional full-time 4WD vehicle, a differential is used inside the transfer case to make 4WD use on pavement possible. This is done with a ring and pinion set or a planetary gear set. Each wheel receives 25% of the available torque, as long as the ground is level and traction is equal. This prevents wheel spin on normal roads but in off road conditions the wheels can lose traction and slip. To avoid this some full time 4WD vehicles provide a center differential lock as a means of spin control.
4WD vehicles have an additional set of low-range gears selected through a transfer case to assist in dealing with off-road conditions such as rocks, steep slopes, or deep water. This, and the fact that 4WD systems are typically heavier in construction than AWD, adversely affects the relative fuel economy of 4WD vehicles.
2007-10-19 11:04:48 · answer #5 · answered by hakim1125 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
4 wd means limeted slip the one front tir will spin and one rear usually oposit sides awd means all for tire turn
2007-10-19 10:20:04 · answer #6 · answered by jeffrey_d127 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋