4x4/awd
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Senior User
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From: michigan
4x4/awd
whats the difference 4x4 vs awd
I've read this somewhere before,
but now wife looking at edge, and escape, and gm
for the life of me, I remember reading awd was somewhat a more wimpy version, and thats why it didn't show up on trucks
also remember an article in trailer boat magizine, about traction control made possile by applying brakes and it wasn't recommended for towing as it was hard on brake temp.
of course thats how I remember it, of course once before I may have been wrng, wron,wong, less then totally correct.
I've read this somewhere before,
but now wife looking at edge, and escape, and gm
for the life of me, I remember reading awd was somewhat a more wimpy version, and thats why it didn't show up on trucks
also remember an article in trailer boat magizine, about traction control made possile by applying brakes and it wasn't recommended for towing as it was hard on brake temp.
of course thats how I remember it, of course once before I may have been wrng, wron,wong, less then totally correct.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2005
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All wheel drive isn't part time 4x4. AWD t-cases use some sort of differential, there are a few styles. This will allow the different driveshaft speeds during a turn preventing binding. Some are more high tech than others detecting tire slip to engage the front wheels while others act like the differential in an axle. Part time 4x4 is what you think of for traditional four wheel drive. As for traction control, yes most vehicles apply the brakes to keep you from spinning the tires and during some abrupt maneuvers. Really that has nothing to do with towing unless you are doing a burnout or a rally road course while towing. If you are having brake fade while towing then you need trailer brakes or a bigger vehicle. The vehicle I can see having brake problems is the new BMW that applies the brakes when it rains to keep the rotors dry.
Matt
Matt
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: P.A.
AWD usually is just automatic, the tires start to slip a computer sensor clicks on to make the other 2 wheels start to spin, on traditional 4x4 its all the tires all the time.
awd isnt really full time, like the sensors allways on but only 2 wheels are moving and the others are only on when the other 2 slip, it just takes away the option of putting 4x4 on totally and off totally.
takes away a more manuel transfer case idea so that the average person doesnt have to worrie about there tires slipping or shifting the transfercase into 4x4.
awd isnt really full time, like the sensors allways on but only 2 wheels are moving and the others are only on when the other 2 slip, it just takes away the option of putting 4x4 on totally and off totally.
takes away a more manuel transfer case idea so that the average person doesnt have to worrie about there tires slipping or shifting the transfercase into 4x4.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2005
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Really it will depend on how old are you are talking about. A NP203 will be a fulltime deal with a mechanical differential doing the work all the time. The label of full time or AWD is pretty much the same anymore. We have a 2000 Grand Cherokee that has "fulltime 4x4" and it will not engage the front shaft unless the back wheels are slipping. I believe probably the real reason behind the AWD stuff is for most guys wives. Personally I don't trust her judgement on using 4x4, she tends to engage it when the conditions aren't bad and binds everything up. When the weather isn't all that bad I tell her to use the fulltime and when there is a layer of snow she is to use parttime. It's there for the people who can't think to use 4x4 correctly, set it and forget it deal.
Matt
Matt
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From: michigan
so you think awd works enough, compared to locking hubs, on an f series? when the snow getsdeep during hunting season?
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Senior User
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awd is nice in the snow my 03 dodge is awd with the option to make it 4hi or 4low it goes just as good if not better then my pickup in 4hi
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From: UT
One of the problems with this discussion is that it often depends on who is defining the terms. A couple of charecteristics that I use when I think of AWD:
1) Sends power both front and rear all the time with some kind of center differential. I differentiate AWD from fulltime 4wd (like the aforementioned NP203) because most
AWD versions that I see don't have a locking mechanism on that center diff like th NP203 had.
2) AWD transfer cases are usually single speed (ie they don't have low range).
In the competitive world of auto sales, manufacturers are usually trying to do anything they can to distinguish themselves, so they come up with all kinds of variations on these themes. That's my 2 cents worth.
1) Sends power both front and rear all the time with some kind of center differential. I differentiate AWD from fulltime 4wd (like the aforementioned NP203) because most
AWD versions that I see don't have a locking mechanism on that center diff like th NP203 had.
2) AWD transfer cases are usually single speed (ie they don't have low range).
In the competitive world of auto sales, manufacturers are usually trying to do anything they can to distinguish themselves, so they come up with all kinds of variations on these themes. That's my 2 cents worth.
Elder User
Joined: May 2007
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From: Carlos, MN
AWD is great if the wife doesn't understand how to use 4wd, it works, because you don't have to worry about her wrecking stuff, if turning on dry pavement in 4wd. If she knows how to use 4wd then get a 4wd. I know the new systems on the escapes, and the edge(I would assume) is a really good system, but remember niether of these vehicles are designed for towing anything more than a small boat or something. If your going to be pulling heavier things you should really look at a truck.
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