There were times when four-wheel drive was limited to trucks and SUVs meant for off-road adventures. Today, this functionality is available in regular street cars as well. However, many people still confuse it with all-wheel drive. This guide on 4WD vs AWD cars will explain the differences along with benefits of each option.
Although the purpose of 4WD and AWD is the same, the key difference is in the functionality and how the power is transferred to the wheels. It is what makes each of them efficient in different scenarios and for different purposes.
Understanding 4 Wheel Drive (4WD)
When we look at four-wheel drive cars, they are often advertised in the market as 4×4 whereas a 2WD car is referred to as 4×2. The first digit accounts for the number of wheels and the second defines the functionality of the drivetrain to transfer power to the number of wheels.
In a 4WD model, the vehicle consists of a transfer case linked to the upper and lower differential (axles). This means all four wheels can get same amount of power from the engine. However, such a situation becomes dangerous when you are driving on a dry road.
When a vehicle is cornering, its outer wheels turn faster than the inner wheel. If the 4WD is engaged at the moment, it will lead to a binding effect. If the transfer case does not make up for the difference of wheel rotation speed, you will feel your car steering jolting and even slipping.
This can potentially damage your transfer case, transmission and differential as well. Hence, 4WD vehicles have different types of systems to turn on the 2WD when on road.
These modes can come in form of secondary shift sticks, knobs or buttons to activate the desired function. The most commonly found modes 2H, 4H and 4L allow easy traversing of vehicles on all types of terrain.
For instance, 2 wheel drive high (2H) is basically for regular on road situations as usually rear wheels are powered by the engine for performance. The 4 wheel drive high (4H) is ideal for wet roads to avoid your car slipping or drifting out. The 4 wheel drive low (4L) is for low-speed situations for most amount of traction.
This allows for maximum grip to get your car out of difficult situations whether it’s dirt or snow. Just make sure, once you are out of it, shift 4L back to 4H or two-wheel drive high (2H) depending on the road conditions.
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Understanding All Wheel Drive (AWD)
All wheel drive (AWD) doesn’t require any input from the driver and shifts the power of wheels itself through a centre differential, depending on the situation.
AWD is not just restricted to shifting power from front and rear differentials. It can divert it side by side as well, especially when you have vehicle dynamic control (VDC). The sensor is able to determine the slipping wheel through the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and can apply brakes to the individual wheel. At the same time, the system can divert power to non-slipping wheels to maintain overall traction.
Of course, not all AWDs are the same. Some are able to divert more power to the front while others may work by equal distribution of power at both ends.
Modern vehicles and supercars are now equipped with variable modes to shift the power as per user requirement. So when you don’t need road grip, you can turn AWD to RWD for an added performance boost at a push of a button.
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AWD vs 4WD Cars
With the basic idea of how each mechanism works, let’s look at some key differences in AWD vs 4WD cars.
Four-wheel drive (4×4) is common in SUV and trucks. Since it has lots of working parts between the differentials including a transfer case, such vehicles tend to be heavier. The difference between 4×4 cars vs 4×4 trucks is that AWD is common in light vehicles and weighs lesser than average SUVs with 4WD.
Although both offer worse fuel economy when compared to FWD and RWD, AWD tends to be more fuel-efficient than 4WD.
In AWD, not all four wheels get equal amounts of power at the same time. As previously explained, some can divert more power to the front and rear. The system can alter the power and apply brakes by analysing the road conditions.
On the other hand, 4WD vehicles are designed to send equal amounts of power to all four wheels. Although, such options are now applicable in modern AWD cars as well. 4WD stands out for its additional off-road features like locking differentials, which help it manoeuvre even on rocky terrains.
COST OF AWD AND 4WD
On average, an SUV with 4WD will cost more than a light vehicle with AWD. Since many vehicle brands are trying to convert their models to AWD to meet the popular demand. Some AWD vehicles and supercars can indeed be more expensive than 4WD.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION
What is the key difference between AWD and 4WD?
The key difference between AWD and 4WD is in the way engine power is transferred between the wheels. AWD uses a centre differential to distribute power while 4WD relies on a transfer case that can lock the differentials for added traction.
Can you off-road with AWD?
AWD can perform well on light off-road trails like gravel tracks, snow or wet roads. However, 4WD performs better on off-road trails and can deal with difficult terrains like climbing rocky surfaces.
With a clear understanding of AWD and 4WD, you can make a better decision, whether to buy a 4WD SUV or an AWD car. If you aren’t a serious off-roader, AWD may fare better as it doesn’t require any interaction from the driver and comes equipped with plenty of safety features. On the other hand, for dedicated off-roaders, 4WDs open up more options as these cars even can climb a rock with the right configurations.
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