What is the difference: 4WD, AWD, Real time 4WD, partime 4WD etc.?

[manteiv]

Hi all,

I am a bit confused, could someone please explain what is the difference with all those types of WD?

Also, I would like to know if such a vehicle louder than a 2WD version? is-it more expensive to maintain?

I am shopping now for a compact SUV and I wonder if I just stick to the 2WD instead of paying the premium.

thanks

[jsywong]

My personally opinion is if the car drives on 2 wheels until it need power to the other 2 then might a well get a 2wd. Because you want 4wd to prevent you from slipping and not only when you are slipping. Besides, most compact SUV that is 2wd until it needs power to the other wheels does not give enough power to the secondary wheels to make any difference.

Maintenance wise, you have an extra set of differential to take care off, besides that, nothing really extra. As for noise, some all wheel drive is a little bit louder, example, Subaru's are louder because their transmission is right in the centre of the car.

(note: yes, I drive a Subaru :) )

[ttiger]

Hi all,

I am a bit confused, could someone please explain what is the difference with all those types of WD?

Also, I would like to know if such a vehicle louder than a 2WD version? is-it more expensive to maintain?

I am shopping now for a compact SUV and I wonder if I just stick to the 2WD instead of paying the premium.

thanks

4WD usually refers to all 4 wheels powering the vehicle 100% of the time. Whether in the middle of summer or in the dead of winter, the engine is turning all 4 tires to power the car.

All other variations simply push equal or partial power to the remaining wheels when necessary. In dry summer weather only the 2 front wheels will be used to drive the car. In the winter if their is slippage in the rear, the computer will start to power the rear wheels. Every manufacturer has their own version ... some offer 50/50 between front and rear, others do 60/40, etc.

Large trucks and SUVs "require" 4WD/AWD simply because the size and weight of the vehicle. All vehicles require a proper mix of 4 essential ingredients :

- driver training
- road conditions
- 2wd vs 4wd
- proper seasonal tires

[yummie]

Just keep it simple..

Theres only 3 types

Forget marketing..



1. AWD Power going too all 4 corners always. Some vehicles will split the the power, depending on traction.. I don't like the system because there is more wear/tear and higher gas bill.. Subaru, Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover, GMC Acadia etc. have this set up....No point in having AWD on dry pavement unless racing...

2. 4WD Most vehicles have this..I hate this setup..Marketing did a good job here..Most are FWD vehicles and 4wd kicks in when the computer senses loss of traction and sends power to the rear end..Ford Escape, Honda Pilot, any car that has X in there name, etc. have it

3. 4x4 Most big suv/ trucks have this..They are usually rwd.. The thing about these rides is you can put it in AWD (4 high) or put it in 4WD (auto) with a switch of a button..I like this system the best. Gas is a pain on the V8. You can get 4 bangers from Jeep.....Infinity QX, Jeep Patriot, Compass, Cherokee, some Cadillac Escalades, etc


So first place goes to

1. 4x4

2. AWD

3. 4WD

[manteiv]

someone mentioned because the size and weight of the SUVs, AWD or 4WD is needed. How is the driving on such a vehicle with just plain 2 wheel FWD? is-it unstable? is-it dangerous? are you more prone to lost of control and traction vs a normal 2WD car?

I have always driven normal cars FWD or RWD and snow and ice has never been a problem for me because I always drive at appropriate speeds to maintain control and I don't go off-road or in the bush so 2WD is fine for me except that on a larger vehicle, is 2WD ok?

[mr_raider]

someone mentioned because the size and weight of the SUVs, AWD or 4WD is needed. How is the driving on such a vehicle with just plain 2 wheel FWD? is-it unstable? is-it dangerous? are you more prone to lost of control and traction vs a normal 2WD car?

I have always driven normal cars FWD or RWD and snow and ice has never been a problem for me because I always drive at appropriate speeds to maintain control and I don't go off-road or in the bush so 2WD is fine for me except that on a larger vehicle, is 2WD ok?

Awd is not necessary because of the size of a vehicle. Any vehicle will run fine with red or fwd.

Awd is useful (not necessary) when you need to get started in low traction conditions, on an incline. Its also useful in deep snow or mud. Finally, awd is useful when you have extremely powerful engines that can break traction under full throttle.

This is not your case. Since you are buying a CUV for standard urban driving, save yourself some coin and get the FWD version.

[packardbell]

Quattro for the win.

[a1lama]

Just keep it simple..

Theres only 3 types

Forget marketing..



1. AWD Power going too all 4 corners always. Some vehicles will split the the power, depending on traction.. I don't like the system because there is more wear/tear and higher gas bill.. Subaru, Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover, GMC Acadia etc. have this set up....No point in having AWD on dry pavement unless racing...

2. 4WD Most vehicles have this..I hate this setup..Marketing did a good job here..Most are FWD vehicles and 4wd kicks in when the computer senses loss of traction and sends power to the rear end..Ford Escape, Honda Pilot, any car that has X in there name, etc. have it

3. 4x4 Most big suv/ trucks have this..They are usually rwd.. The thing about these rides is you can put it in AWD (4 high) or put it in 4WD (auto) with a switch of a button..I like this system the best. Gas is a pain on the V8. You can get 4 bangers from Jeep.....Infinity QX, Jeep Patriot, Compass, Cherokee, some Cadillac Escalades, etc


So first place goes to

1. 4x4

2. AWD

3. 4WD

You have the right idea but I think you have the terms reversed; AWD shifts power to certain wheels using differentials whereas 4WD is all 4 wheels driving

[macnut]

You have the right idea but I think you have the terms reversed; AWD shifts power to certain wheels using differentials whereas 4WD is all 4 wheels driving

I don't think the terms were quite reversed - the description of AWD was on the right track., but the description of 4WD was off base because it was describing a basic form of AWD, and I don't see 4x4 as a separate category.

No one is going to be in complete agreement, but to keep it simple look at this way:

1. 4WD (50/50 power split only)
(a) Part-time 4WD - driver has control over engaging 4WD (usually for low traction surfaces only) from cab using a lever or switch, or by manually locking hubs (typically for extended use off-road - 4x4)
(b) Full-time 4WD - self-explanatory, but still with varying degrees of driver control. Can also be referred to as 4x4.

2. AWD (variable power split front to rear and side to side)
Utilizes more control systems, sensors, computer modules than 4WD. Sophistication varies by auto. manufacturer much more so than relatively standard 4WD technology.

[hdom]

Great explanation on Wiki - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-wheel_drive


...For these reasons, full-time AWD is appropriate for improving on-road handling and is seen on cars and crossover/sports utility vehicles, while traditional part-time 4WD systems without center differentials, or with locking center differentials, are better for heavy-duty use such as off-road or in deep snow and are commonly seen on trucks and truck-based SUVs.

[yummie]

Op, there are 3 systems

Manufactures don't have to state how there systems work, and legally they can call there systems whatever...

4x4 system incorporates a 4wd system and awd. You get to decide which one you want to use.......

4wd system, the computer decides when AWD kicks in.. This is worst option out of the 3

AWD system means all corners working..This is better than 4wd

I will say it again

1) 4x4 (Most expensive setup)

2) AWD

3) 4WD (cheapest setup and results suck compared to the other 2)

And just for you op, I found a video on youtube about 9 minutes long showing the difference between 4wd and awd...........4x4 is not in the video, but like i said, you can switch it into 4wd or awd

This video will show you how shty the 4wd systems are on honda crv and toyota highlander, while the subie is awd and kicks but!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t09ExAUgtyE

[garyhudson]

To me, there is only 4WD or 2WD for a 4-wheeled vehicle. There are several kinds of 4WD systems, each with good and bad points.

1st kind of 4WD is the oldest/most simple kind: Engine power permanently goes to the 4 wheels through a transfer case. Combined with lockable diffs, these kinds of 4WD systems are the most capable but also the most fuel inefficient. Some systems cannot be driven on paved roads when locked, else driveline damage/binding may occur

2nd kind of 4WD is able to split torque between the two axles. Most performance 4WD systems are this kind, from the GTR to BMW's xDrive. These kinds of system are more flexible than the 1st kind, and doesnt hurt fuel econ so much.

3rd kind of 4WD is the kind older CRVs are using. This systems is FWD most of the time, but when the computer senses wheel slip, it sends power to the other set of wheels. These kinds of systems are mostly good for snow in the city, but dont expect much offroading potential from them. They are most friendly towards fuel economy.

IMO there is no such thing as All Wheel drive. What, does it mean it drives my spare wheel and my steering wheel as well? There are 4 wheels rolling on the road, so its 4 wheel drive. 4x4 is another way of saying how many wheels are fitted to the car, and how many of those are driven.

[wal3145]

Hi all,

I am a bit confused, could someone please explain what is the difference with all those types of WD?

Also, I would like to know if such a vehicle louder than a 2WD version? is-it more expensive to maintain?

I am shopping now for a compact SUV and I wonder if I just stick to the 2WD instead of paying the premium.

thanks

The only difference you need to know is:
1. Vehicles built to travel off road are 4WD.
2. Those are not, are given fancy names.

[dealsaddict]

...

IMO there is no such thing as All Wheel drive. What, does it mean it drives my spare wheel and my steering wheel as well? There are 4 wheels rolling on the road, so its 4 wheel drive. 4x4 is another way of saying how many wheels are fitted to the car, and how many of those are driven.

Typical of an envious response and/or lack of respect for Isaac Newton's physics. Rationalizing much?

[dealsaddict]

The only difference you need to know is:
1. Vehicles built to travel off road are 4WD.
2. Those are not, are given fancy names.

AWD w/ Brake Lock Differentials (BLD)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRMXt9QCiyw

[garyhudson]

Typical of an envious response and/or lack of respect for Isaac Newton's physics. Rationalizing much?

lol envious of what? which Newton's Law of physics did I not respect? Care to explain?

[yummie]

Op, theirs more then 2 systems...I say 3......However I'm going to give you a link which shows you (4) FOUR systems..This site is loaded with a crap load of excellent info.....Forget about the names and words, understand the system..Like I said, theres 3, however this website will show you 4...

Im done and good luck in your studies;)

1. Part-time all wheel drive
2. Full-time all wheel drive
3. Automatic all wheel drive
4. Selectable all wheel drive


http://www.awdwiki.com/en/all+wheel+drive+explained/

[SoroSuub1]

Hi all,

I am a bit confused, could someone please explain what is the difference with all those types of WD?

Also, I would like to know if such a vehicle louder than a 2WD version? is-it more expensive to maintain?

I am shopping now for a compact SUV and I wonder if I just stick to the 2WD instead of paying the premium.

thanks

OP is looking for a compact SUV.

For the CUV market, in general if the model you're looking at gives you a choice on FWD or AWD, the AWD version is not worth it. Better choice than choosing AWD on an SUV is to chose an SUV with more ground clearance.

If you're looking at the new 2012 Honda CR-V, its 6.3 inches of ground clearance (FWD) doesn't do much more than the Civic's 6.1 inches.