Comments on: What’s The Difference Between AWD & 4×4? Plus Vacation

By: Ron Schenone

Ron Schenone — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:22:44 +0000

I agree with me also!

By: Goose

Goose — Sun, 31 May 2009 23:57:19 +0000

Geez, I agree with Ron, Denny and Goose…….

By: Ron Schenone

Ron Schenone — Sun, 31 May 2009 17:01:21 +0000

Oh Yeah,
I thought a Firebird with a 6 was a girly car! LOL

By: Denny

Denny — Sun, 31 May 2009 15:07:18 +0000

Like Goose Said…

…a All wheel drive is-a . GIRLY . car

By: Ron Schenone

Ron Schenone — Sat, 30 May 2009 00:21:45 +0000

Hello David,
I have an option to engage aka LOCK the AWD for a 50-50% power split to the front and back wheels.

Mom and I had a great time at your place. Thanks again!

By: David

David — Fri, 29 May 2009 15:31:00 +0000

Ron, our Durango is AWD unless you engage the 4WD lock in either low range or high range (or the Nuetral which disengages all power to the axles). I don’t have a rear 2WD option. On a side note, AWD robs a few horses and mpg due to inefficiencies in the drivetrain but makes up for it in better on-road handling in wet conditions. Also, it makes it hard to burn rubber with all four wheels, even with the Hemi.

By: Ron Schenone

Ron Schenone — Tue, 26 May 2009 18:15:31 +0000

Thanks for the additional information everyone. It is appreciated. Back to vacation. LOL

By: Goose

Goose — Tue, 26 May 2009 00:08:27 +0000

A 4×4 is a “Manly” vehicle……..

By: Keith Stoneberger

Keith Stoneberger — Mon, 25 May 2009 17:48:59 +0000

4×4 is the best way to go….. if you combine Don and Stefan’s answer, you will have the whole story to the difference betwenn AWD and 4×4. There are also some AWD that are sports cars produced by Subary and a few others. I doubt you would take them off roading.

By: Bill Funk

Bill Funk — Mon, 25 May 2009 14:17:42 +0000

AWD and 4×4 are different; don’t listen to those who say otherwise.
In 4×4, or true 4-wheel-drive, the front and read prop shafts are solidly linked. In AWD, there’s some sort of viscous (not really the right word) connection between the two.

AWD uses a transfer case that does not always send the same amount of torque to both prop shafts (the two shafts coming out of the transfer case that go to the two differentials on the two ends of the vehicle); usually the front shaft gets less torque until the rear wheels begin to slip/spin, then sensors tell the transfer case to send more torque to the other shaft.

In a 4×4, the transfer case always sends the same amount of torque to each prop shaft. There’s no slippage between the two. On solid ground (pavement) this is bad, because the rear wheels follow a shorter path around curves (we’re constantly correcting our path through small steering inputs), which puts a tremendous stress on the drive train (transfer case, prop shafts, u-joints, differentials, c/v joints, and wheels/tires),which is why there’s always a 2-wheel drive option on 4×4 vehicles, to remove this stress.

Each system (4×4 and AWD) has its advantages and drawbacks. AWD is much easier on the drivetrain while allowing much better traction in adverse conditions on pavement (which is where we do most of our driving). Traction control adds a lot to this. 4×4 is much more more useful for off-road driving, but does nothing for driving on pavement at all, and in fact is harmful to the drivetrain on pavement, and in some conditions (such as on snowy roads) can cause the ends of the vehicle to swap at inopportune times, but AWD shines here, especially with traction control.

Something to remember: 4×4 will get you into trouble faster, but will also get you out of trouble better. Unless you’re planning on doing a lot of off-roading, in areas where 4-wheel drive is actually a benefit, AWD is the better choice.

Bill