All wheel drive vs. 4 wheel drive

Hey guys,

I was talking to a few blokes at work and we couldn't work out the difference between AWD and 4x4?
Is it to do with the differential? Or the size of the vehicle? Or power distribution?

I'd love it if someone could help me out 🙂

Cheers, Ollie

As described by Alan Swanson


Full-time 4WD operates as the name suggests. At all times torque is supplied to all four wheels, all of the time. The driver usually has several options available to them which affect the operation of the drivetrain depending on the conditions that are encountered.

In normal operation (such as driving on a bitumen surface) the front and rear axles are split by a differential which allows them to operate at different speeds when required -- for example, when cornering.

In most vehicles there will be the option of 'diff lock'. This locks up the centre differential and restricts any rotational difference between the front and rear axles. It's a feature that is commonly used when offroading to gain maximum traction.

There may also be the option of 'low range'. Usually used in extreme offroad conditions and on steep inclines, this changes the gearing of the drivetrain to provide a torque multiplying effect similar to the lowest gearing on a mountain bike.

Part-time 4WD is the original 4WD system and the most basic.

As with Full time 4WD there are several options available to the driver. In normal conditions the vehicle is driven in two-wheel drive, usually powering only the rear wheels. 4WD mode can be selected either by a separate mechanical lever or by an electronic switching system.

When 4WD is selected, torque is split evenly between the four wheels.

Part time 4WD vehicles tend not to have differentials between the front and rear axles. This limits the use of 4WD to offroad use because use of this feature on bitumen surfaces (where tyres have good traction) can cause excess stress and damage to the drivetrain (often called wind-up).

Most vehicles of this type have the option of 'low range' for extreme off-road conditions.

All-Wheel Drive is in some ways similar to the full-time 4WD system in that it also sends torque to all four wheels constantly.

These systems never have the option to operate in two-wheel drive, and unlike the 4WD systems, the differential between the front and rear axles cannot be locked. The differentials do, however, have ability to limit slippage between the axles if a low traction situation is encountered.

Usually this ability is provided with a differential known as a viscous coupling although more recently a similar outcome has been achieved by using electronically-controlled hydraulic or electro-magnetic 'clutch' systems.

AWD systems also lack the 'low range' feature which is common in most 4WDs.

The AWD system is less effective and more fragile than the 4WD system in a situation where high torque is required. Indeed, the viscous coupling units simply cannot satisfy high torque demands when the vehicle is offroad. AWD vehicles tend to be more 'car' like than obvious offroaders.

VDUBXTC wrote:As described by Alan Swanson

The AWD system is less effective and more fragile than the 4WD system in a situation where high torque is required. Indeed, the viscous coupling units simply cannot satisfy high torque demands when the vehicle is offroad. AWD vehicles tend to be more 'car' like than obvious offroaders.

Alan Swanson is obviously a 4wd guy!

I think the Audi engineers would rightfully disagree with the last paragragh. Unless he wrote this 30 years ago he's obviously not familiar with Audi's Torsen Diff system, or 'Quattro' as most know it as. This is the same system which has taken Audi to victory in the world rally championship, Pikes Peak, English, German, Australian touring car championships. The UR Quattro was banned from competing in the WRC because it was too good, same for world touring car championships. Fragile? Hardly!

For shits & giggles youtube some of Audi's Quattro race & rally cars.

I think a better definition is; 4wd enables vehicles to go offroad, at the cost of driving like a pig on sealed roads, AWD enables vehicles to go offroad with speed, and stick to any road surface like shit to a blanket.

4wd is serious AWD is a gimmick... That said most people wont put themselves into a situation in the $60-80K AWD cars to warrant a propper 4wd system. propper 4wds are strong robust and able to handle serious terrain, and get you out of trouble. Again the car is sutup that way. Have a look at the tyres for example, who would go serious 4WDing with quiet and smooth highway tyres????
Depends what you are looking for.

DOKA Dave wrote:

VDUBXTC wrote:As described by Alan Swanson

The AWD system is less effective and more fragile than the 4WD system in a situation where high torque is required. Indeed, the viscous coupling units simply cannot satisfy high torque demands when the vehicle is offroad. AWD vehicles tend to be more 'car' like than obvious offroaders.

Alan Swanson is obviously a 4wd guy!

I think the Audi engineers would rightfully disagree with the last paragragh. Unless he wrote this 30 years ago he's obviously not familiar with Audi's Torsen Diff system, or 'Quattro' as most know it as. This is the same system which has taken Audi to victory in the world rally championship, Pikes Peak, English, German, Australian touring car championships. The UR Quattro was banned from competing in the WRC because it was too good, same for world touring car championships. Fragile? Hardly!

For shits & giggles youtube some of Audi's Quattro race & rally cars.

I think a better definition is; 4wd enables vehicles to go offroad, at the cost of driving like a pig on sealed roads, AWD enables vehicles to go offroad with speed, and stick to any road surface like shit to a blanket.

I have no clue to if he's a 4wd bloke or not. No idea if he knows his shit or not. Do i care if he does? Not a care in the world. just posted up what i happened to be reading in the reviews in cars guide. just a few minutes before ollies question was asked and thought it may help him.

But I'm glad you have been able to clear the subject up for us all cheers.

😂🤪😂

4WD & AWD

Thanks Jace, appreciate that 🙂

Still a little foggy to me but I think the line,

"These systems never have the option to operate in two-wheel drive, and unlike the 4WD systems, the differential between the front and rear axles cannot be locked. The differentials do, however, have ability to limit slippage between the axles if a low traction situation is encountered."

best sums up the difference!

I'll have to view those youtube clips at home - at work at the moment!

Thanks Guys!

My understanding is that 4WD is what is typically used in vehicles intended for off-road use e.g. Landcruisers, Patrols etc. Most have either manual or automatically locked front hubs. When you are on tarmac the front hubs are unlocked and torque is sent to the rear wheels only, when off-road the front hubs are locked and torque is sent to all four wheels.

All wheel drive is what typically found on cars intended for on-road use - Subarus are probably the best known example. Torque is sent to all fours wheels in accordance with how much grip each wheel has. Less grip, less torque, more grip, more torque.

Have a look here: http://www.subaru-global.com/about/awd/performance/index.html

awd = diahatsu terios
4x4 = landcruiser

Which one would win a jousting competition? Definitely the landcruiser 🙂

if a 4x4 like a landcruiser is set in 4x4 mode, then it pretty much is awd. i was under the assumption the only reason for going to 2wd in a 4x4 was simply for fuel economy to reduce drive train losses in power.

The viscous coupling set up on a T25 is an AWD system(like Quatro).A syncro with a decoupler becomes selectable AWD as it can be driven in 2WD then switched to AWD on the fly.(with speed).
If someone was to replace their VC with a solid shaft,then there Syncro would become 4WD and couldnt be driven on pavement whilst decoupler was coupled.

VDUBXTC wrote:

DOKA Dave wrote:

VDUBXTC wrote:As described by Alan Swanson

The AWD system is less effective and more fragile than the 4WD system in a situation where high torque is required. Indeed, the viscous coupling units simply cannot satisfy high torque demands when the vehicle is offroad. AWD vehicles tend to be more 'car' like than obvious offroaders.

Alan Swanson is obviously a 4wd guy!

I think the Audi engineers would rightfully disagree with the last paragragh. Unless he wrote this 30 years ago he's obviously not familiar with Audi's Torsen Diff system, or 'Quattro' as most know it as. This is the same system which has taken Audi to victory in the world rally championship, Pikes Peak, English, German, Australian touring car championships. The UR Quattro was banned from competing in the WRC because it was too good, same for world touring car championships. Fragile? Hardly!

For shits & giggles youtube some of Audi's Quattro race & rally cars.

I think a better definition is; 4wd enables vehicles to go offroad, at the cost of driving like a pig on sealed roads, AWD enables vehicles to go offroad with speed, and stick to any road surface like shit to a blanket.

I have no clue to if he's a 4wd bloke or not. No idea if he knows his shit or not. Do i care if he does? Not a care in the world. just posted up what i happened to be reading in the reviews in cars guide. just a few minutes before ollies question was asked and thought it may help him.

But I'm glad you have been able to clear the subject up for us all cheers.

I'm sorry I've offended you, I didn't realise I wasn't entitled to an opinion. I thought this was a forum for discussions, opinions and debate on car related subjects? At least it's my opinion, written with thought, and not rehashed from somewhere else.

For someone who doesn't care about whether this guy know his shit or not, you've certainly got yourself worked up.... Chill out mate, It's just my opinion that 4wd's are good for rock crawling and not much else, that's why I'm writing here and not on a Landcruiser or Patrol or Jeep forum. I thought that's what the original question was asking, for opinions on the differences, I decided to give mine. But wtf would I know....

A 4WD could drive over the top of an AWD. But only if the 4WD could catch the AWD

baaah. If its all wheel drive and it has 4 wheels then its 4 wheel drive. Trying to put them into different boxes is just a marketing exercise.

amazeer wrote:baaah. If its all wheel drive and it has 4 wheels then its 4 wheel drive. Trying to put them into different boxes is just a marketing exercise.

This man speaks the truth! "All wheel drive" and "four wheel drive" are both just marketing labels. By convention, the AWD label tends to be applied to more road-oriented systems, but you'd be equally correct calling any system AWD or 4WD as long as it has the ability to drive all four wheels. As mentioned in other comments above, there are many different 4wd system configurations, both permanent and part-time, locking, limited slip and open. A four wheel drive system can sometimes be as simple as two axles permanently locked together, with no centre differential or viscous coupling, which was sometimes used on military vehicles. These systems can't be driven on hard surfaces such as sealed roads as the lack of wheel slip will damage the drivetrain. At the other end of the spectrum you can have fully computer controlled systems with three limited slip differentials, which can divert power to any of the four wheels in any proportion, as seen in some modern high-performance cars.

amazeer wrote:baaah. If its all wheel drive and it has 4 wheels then its 4 wheel drive. Trying to put them into different boxes is just a marketing exercise.

+1

4 wheel + awd = 4wd.

Serious offroad trucks have lockable diffs. Street cars don't usually. That said there are some fancy locking diff things that happen in EVOs, GTrs and WRXs and they are street cars mostly.

BTW, For a purely street run around car with ABS and traction control, its a waste and a fuel suck.

Awsome Audi vids!

Awsome Audi vids!

DOKA Dave wrote:

VDUBXTC wrote:

DOKA Dave wrote:

VDUBXTC wrote:As described by Alan Swanson

The AWD system is less effective and more fragile than the 4WD system in a situation where high torque is required. Indeed, the viscous coupling units simply cannot satisfy high torque demands when the vehicle is offroad. AWD vehicles tend to be more 'car' like than obvious offroaders.

Alan Swanson is obviously a 4wd guy!

I think the Audi engineers would rightfully disagree with the last paragragh. Unless he wrote this 30 years ago he's obviously not familiar with Audi's Torsen Diff system, or 'Quattro' as most know it as. This is the same system which has taken Audi to victory in the world rally championship, Pikes Peak, English, German, Australian touring car championships. The UR Quattro was banned from competing in the WRC because it was too good, same for world touring car championships. Fragile? Hardly!

For shits & giggles youtube some of Audi's Quattro race & rally cars.

I think a better definition is; 4wd enables vehicles to go offroad, at the cost of driving like a pig on sealed roads, AWD enables vehicles to go offroad with speed, and stick to any road surface like shit to a blanket.

I have no clue to if he's a 4wd bloke or not. No idea if he knows his shit or not. Do i care if he does? Not a care in the world. just posted up what i happened to be reading in the reviews in cars guide. just a few minutes before ollies question was asked and thought it may help him.

But I'm glad you have been able to clear the subject up for us all cheers.

I'm sorry I've offended you, I didn't realise I wasn't entitled to an opinion. I thought this was a forum for discussions, opinions and debate on car related subjects? At least it's my opinion, written with thought, and not rehashed from somewhere else.

For someone who doesn't care about whether this guy know his shit or not, you've certainly got yourself worked up.... Chill out mate, It's just my opinion that 4wd's are good for rock crawling and not much else, that's why I'm writing here and not on a Landcruiser or Patrol or Jeep forum. I thought that's what the original question was asking, for opinions on the differences, I decided to give mine. But wtf would I know....

Offended me?🙅 how have you offended me? Worked up? why am i worked up?.🤪 I'm now confused, but not worked up. I merely stated that it didn't interest me in any way regarding the subject or if the bloke was full of shit or not. As i said i just posted something in which i just read and thought it may of been of interest to ollie. I'm Not getting worked up over anything bud. I even said that i was glad you were able to clear that up.
But reading your response makes me think if anyone needs a chill pill at the moment it's you. I'm calm as a cucumber this end. Anyways I'm sorry if what i had written comes across as an attack at you, It wasn't intended to. anyways moving on ay. 🙂 cheers

I was talking about this with the offroad nutter at work last week. The common consensus is that a lockable centre diff is what makes it a real (ie offroad creek crawling etc) 4wd.

Ben386 wrote:The viscous coupling set up on a T25 is an AWD system(like Quatro).A syncro with a decoupler becomes selectable AWD as it can be driven in 2WD then switched to AWD on the fly.(with speed).
If someone was to replace their VC with a solid shaft,then there Syncro would become 4WD and couldnt be driven on pavement whilst decoupler was coupled.

Hmmmm.....not correct. A T25 Syncro is a FULL TIME 4WD,the coupling only changes the amount of torque/power applied to the front differential. To determin the difference between AWD and 4WD - there IS a big difference- is easy....jack up one back wheel,the car will not drive off if it is a AWD vehicle, a true 4WD vehicle will drive off powered by the front wheels...

Sorry Mick, but ^^^ that's not correct either. Even a 'true 4wd' won't go anywhere if you jack one wheel off the ground, only one with a locked center diff will do that.


I'm with the marketing bs being the difference !!!

SuperOwen wrote:I was talking about this with the offroad nutter at work last week. The common consensus is that a lockable centre diff is what makes it a real (ie offroad creek crawling etc) 4wd.

😂😂😂 LMAO

My wifes OLD 1st series RAV4 has a locking center diff.....I bet your Landcruiser (insert his actual big lump of a 4wd here) warrior won't like that !!!!

EDIT: thinking about this I have to chuckle, I towed out a very stuck Prado with that little Rav, offroad capability is primarily up to the nut behind the wheel......🤓

Yeah, big old boxy 70 or 80 series landcruiser 😀

I remember watching the boss "test" the 4wd system on the audi TT quattro system in the workshop. Dump the clutch and the front wheels would do about a full revolution from memory before the haldex unit would send some power to the back and it would drive off.

matberry wrote:Sorry Mick, but ^^^ that's not correct either. Even a 'true 4wd' won't go anywhere if you jack one wheel off the ground, only one with a locked center diff will do that.


I'm with the marketing bs being the difference !!!

Rubbish...........a T3 Syncro will pull itself around the workshop.Its one of the tests to see if the VC is functioning,and yes I've done it numerous times.When i was working with Mitsubishi (a couple of years ago now) they had the Mitsubishi teks from O/S come to the workshop and explain as well as demonstrate the differences between 4WD and AWD. Like i stated earlier the most common test at the time, as a demonstration, was to lift one rear wheel off the ground and the car would not move. If the vehicle being looked at was a 4WD (engaged) the opposing diff would have drive supplied when the rear was lifted,the front would move the vehicle. My main reference was in respect to the T3 Syncro being labeled as an AWD vehicle,when in FACT it is a CONSTANT 4WD vehicle.There is a big difference.......power is always supplied to the front and rear diffs. The VC only controlls how much is distributed to the front diff (minimum 5% to 100% in standard spec VC). As the T3 Syncro ALWAYS has power to both diffs(unless fitted with a decoupler) it is constant 4WD,not AWD......🤓 ANY other 4WD vehicle will do the same,but OBVIOUSLY you would have to make sure it was in 4WD.........🤓🤓🤓🤓

http://www.4x4abc.com/4WD101/awd.html

Notice down the bottom the T3 gets an honorable exception 😀

At the end of the day it doesn't matter if you've got 4,2,1WD or have to push the car, unless you have enough ground clearance the car wont go very far off road!!

SuperOwen wrote:http://www.4x4abc.com/4WD101/awd.html

Notice down the bottom the T3 gets an honorable exception 😀

At the end of the day it doesn't matter if you've got 4,2,1WD or have to push the car, unless you have enough ground clearance the car wont go very far off road!!

"An honorable exception from the rule "AWD is almost useless beyond pavement" are VW Sycro Vangon. Yes they have viscous couplings to distribute torque front/rear - but they have a granny low first gear and they have axle diff locks (real diff locks!). So, they are much more capable than most folks think. "

Haha...that made me laugh. What he states is actually incorrect for the T3....it doesn't use viscious couplings to controll the torque from front to rear...the rear always has full power available,the front has SOME available ALL THE TIME and the VC mearly increases it to suit..It will engage from around 5% (always ON)power to 100% in less than 1/4 of a wheel rotation. He is right about the diff locks though....one of my vans has factory front and rear lockers...I think you might find he refers to the later model vehicles.....T3"s are 4WD. In the end,as you say you still need ground clearance...which the T3's have plenty of...


Try this with an AWD....


and..


some text..."Syncros models were manufactured in limited numbers from 1985 through 1992, with the four wheel drive system added by Steyr-Daimler-Puch works in Graz, Austria. With a short wheelbase and 48/52 front/rear weight distribution."

He refers to Auto's in the page you posted.....All T3 Syncros were manual.

Thats funny.....

The new VW AMAROK has a choice between 2WD, full time 4WD, or part time 4WD with low-range. All available with rear diff lock. Something for everyone........
I was under the impression that an AWD normally receives its power to either the front wheels ( ie; vw transporter,honda crv ) or rear wheels ( ie; ford territory ) UNTIL WHEEL SLIP IS DETECTED then the power is sent electronically or mechanically (syncro) to the opposite diff. A cross axle diff lock is one of the most important off-road devices whether in a 2WD AWD or 4WD. I have experienced bogged traditional 4wds ( cruiser,patrol,landrover) its the same old story one front wheel spinning, one rear wheel spinning and going nowhere...............just to confuse everyone further some 4WD owners tell you their beast has a diff lock but it usually is a CENTRE diff lock not a CROSS AXLE diff lock............... ohhh it just goes on and on and on.............😵

Hmmmm.....not correct. A T25 Syncro is a FULL TIME 4WD,the coupling only changes the amount of torque/power applied to the front differential. To determin the difference between AWD and 4WD - there IS a big difference- is easy....jack up one back wheel,the car will not drive off if it is a AWD vehicle, a true 4WD vehicle will drive off powered by the front wheels...



If a VC has gone aggressive then it will drive the front wheels.If it is functioning properly and there is no difference in rear and front wheel speed then there should be no torque applied to the front,Is this not correct?
Most VCs go aggressive causing driveline damage during tight pavement turning.If a decoupler is fitted then you can decouple whilst turning so you dont do damage.
I know other things will play a factor in this,tyre wear,road camber etc which makes the front drive.
Some people opt to replace their aggressive or passive VC with a solid shaft.You then definatley need a decoupler and cannot drive on the pavement whilst all four wheels are driving.I would consider this as a 4WD vehicle.😊

Dear God, what have I started...

you're just lucky you didnt ask if a 1916 would fit.

Like others have said, AWD is just a marketing term.
First generation Audi quattros had separate driver controlled diff locks for the centre and rear diffs, (the rally cars tended to run without a centre diff however), which is more hard core than many "real" 4 wheel drives.
Hypothetical question: if you take a Baja and stick a Golf GTi drivetrain in the front to make it twin engine, should we call that AWD or 4wd,........ or just insane?

Maybe a 'bolf', or a 'gug'?

Snap Crackle Bang wrote:Hypothetical question: if you take a Baja and stick a Golf GTi drivetrain in the front to make it twin engine, should we call that AWD or 4wd,........ or just insane?

Not an altogether original idea. Here's a BMC version. No centre diff in that baby.

what do I call my lancers? I guess they're not 2WD because they dont go anywhere with one front wheel up in the air. Neither did my kombi when pushed around corners.

Ben386 wrote:Hmmmm.....not correct. A T25 Syncro is a FULL TIME 4WD,the coupling only changes the amount of torque/power applied to the front differential. To determin the difference between AWD and 4WD - there IS a big difference- is easy....jack up one back wheel,the car will not drive off if it is a AWD vehicle, a true 4WD vehicle will drive off powered by the front wheels...



If a VC has gone aggressive then it will drive the front wheels.If it is functioning properly and there is no difference in rear and front wheel speed then there should be no torque applied to the front,Is this not correct?

No. There will be some torque applied at all times,more when its really needed. I should give Stan a ring.....1916 has more power than the 2.1 wasserdripper....😂

grinderman wrote:I was under the impression that an AWD normally receives its power to either the front wheels ( ie; vw transporter,honda crv ) or rear wheels ( ie; ford territory ) UNTIL WHEEL SLIP IS DETECTED then the power is sent electronically or mechanically (syncro) to the opposite diff.
ohhh it just goes on and on and on.............😵

(removed parts of your quote)
This is how I have always understood it, AWD requires wheel slip before power transfer occurs.
AWD/4WD/4x4 as far as I'm aware has nothing to do with off road capability, simply a drive train principle.
Each can be tailored to the coditions the 'vehicle' is intended to be used in.

AWD in action


Incidently MickH, the VW syncro system was used equally in golf's, Passat's and T4 tranporters, and continues on today in the 4-motion. It's the suspension, ground clearance and diff lock option that determins it's ability in rough conditions, not the drive type.

Here's some more fun:

Interesting posts. There may have been technical differences between '4WD' and 'AWD' in the early days, but as a few people have noted the differences have become blurred by marketing and nowadays they're probably the same thing in most cases.

* There is no such thing as a VW 'T25' - the 1979-92 third-generation Transporter ('Vanagon' to Americans) is the T3. It comes from confusion with the 'Model 25' on the VIN, which refers only to the van body. The T3 pickup is a 'Type 24'. BOTH are T3s.

* The previous VW 'syncro' system and the current '4Motion' are not the same thing.

* Both Audi's 'quattro' system and Volkswagen's '4Motion' systems refer to their trademarks, NOT to any particular design or layout. For example, Volkswagen's transverse engine layouts use a Haldex traction system (eg Golf R, Tiguan, Caddy, T5 Transporter, some Passats), while longitudinal layouts (older Passat, Phaeton, Amarok) use Torsen centre diffs. The Touareg uses a third design, by Borg Warner. ALL three systems are called '4Motion'. VW no longer uses the old 'syncro' visous coupling system. Likewise, the original 1981-87 Audi quattro system is totally different from the current Torsen systems; in fact there have been SIX different 'generations' of quattro design. They only share the 'quattro' marketing name. To add to the confusion, there has been considerable sharing of systems between VW and Audi, particularly on the Passat, Touareg and Phaeton models. In all cases, VWs are called '4Motion' and Audis are 'quattro'. Even Skoda and SEAT have shared VW/Audi layouts, with their OWN names.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quattro_(four_wheel_drive_system)

I was going to suggest that VW fits 4WD/AWD to the Golf R as it has 195 kW (in Europe) and that may be too much for FWD alone. BUT - the Scirocco R uses the same motor but is only FWD. Likewise the coming Beetle R will be FWD only (and same 195 kW).

VW made a twin-engine Scirocco prototype in 1981, and used the technology for a Golf Rallye twin-engine race car for Pikes Peak. There are a number of converters that make twin-engine Golfs today - here's a 600 kW one in South Africa for example:

http://www.cartorque.co.za/0118.htm

I've looked at subaru awd as i was looking to buy an outback and this is how i understand the awd to work.

It is mainly a fwd, however power is applied to both front and back at all times.
when more power is required at the opposite end, it it applied.
there are 2 wheels turning at the same time on the car, never 4.
if bogged, the subaru awd will always spin the stuck wheel and not the easiest wheel such as a commodore open wheel diff will always spin the easiest so you can never get out of a boggy situation.

Is this the same system for t3 syncro?

Differences between AWD and 4 wheel drive = marketing.

Two different phrases describing the same thing essentially. It's semantics.
The phrases don't describe any fundamental operational difference, as each "system" can be built to replicate the other easily enough. People may attach technical differences to each system post hoc, but at it's core both labels describe drive going through each wheel. Nothing more than that.
All wheel drive is marketed at people who like the thought of having a car with "extra" traction and road handling without having to contend with a jacked up lumbering offroad behemoth. 4 wheel drive is marketed at people who like the feeling that their car can drive through rivers and over mountains of mud (and people in AWD cars).

AWD = more diffs, more weight, more mechanical resistance and more fuel needed to drive
4WD = even bigger [more] diffs, even more more weight, more resistance to everything (going, stopping and turning), more fuel and... more chance of rolling over. 😂

What AWD does mostly is encourages people to drive faster on wet days... 👎

awd/4wd teaches people that driving though flooded creek beds is safe and easy.
awd/4wd teaches people going to the snow that chains are for pussies. (a thought sponsored by rule makers)
Much like ABS teaches people that 1 car length gap is plenty.

pete wood wrote:AWD = more diffs, more weight, more mechanical resistance and more fuel needed to drive
4WD = even bigger [more] diffs, even more more weight, more resistance to everything (going, stopping and turning), more fuel and... more chance of rolling over. 😂

What AWD does mostly is encourages people to drive faster on wet days... 👎

Glad you said "mostly" when driving my Forester I have no urge to drive faster just because it is AWD, however I did find out when entering a roundabout on a wet road that the AWD definatly saved me from having a problem when the clown in the other lane tryed to take over my spot on the road, any "normal" 2WD (rear) would have given me some real drama. 😬

awd/4wd teaches people that driving though flooded creek beds is safe and easy.
awd/4wd teaches people going to the snow that chains are for pussies. (a thought sponsored by rule makers)
Much like ABS teaches people that 1 car length gap is plenty.


Hmmm I do wonder where these ideas come from, no way it can teach you that something that is not safe IS safe, it may lead fools into THINKING it's safe but they would soon find out differently.
Chains? well AWD would make the going easyer but lets drive to the conditions and if chains are required then on they go, simple.
One car gap is heaps, if your parked. 😂