ALL-WHEEL DRIVE/AWD/ vs 4-WHEEL DRIVE

/4WD/

In fact, the terms “4-wheel drive” (4WD) and “all-wheel drive” (AWD) are often used interchangeably.
But they shouldn’t be, as they are part of two completely different powertrains. While they might weigh
down your vehicle slightly more, and don’t offer the same fuel efficiency as two-wheel drive setups, they
can be a lifesaver in many situations. So let’s explore the differences and the advantages of each,
starting with the oldest model.

4-WHEEL DRIVE(4WD)

In 4WD trucks you will see a lever or switch that says 4WD Hi and 4WD Low. 4WD Low is for very low
speeds when you need the most power and traction. This is done by evenly distributing power to all four
wheels. This is good for low speeds but wont work for higher speeds because when a vehicle turns the
outside wheels need to turn at a higher speed since they are covering more ground.

Therefore, if all four wheels are spinning at the same rate through turns the inside wheels will lose
traction and start spinning freely. This is where 4WD High comes in handy. 4WD High allows power to be
split between the inside and outside wheels called a “limited slip”. This allows for higher speeds while
using 4WD.

Most vehicles are only propelled by one axle, or two tires, either the front or the back. These are front-
wheel drive, the more common option these days, and rear-wheel drive. But neither of these two
options are ideal when road conditions are too slippery, or for roads that aren’t even paved at all.

4WD runs in complement with a two-wheel drive setup. When the 4WD mode is selected, the power
from the drivetrain is split equally between the front and rear axles, ensuring the vehicle does not get
stuck or spin out in thick mud, snow, uneven terrain, or when scaling a boulder like in most off-road jeep
commercials. Split-axle power helps to reduce fishtailing and spinning out on slick pavement, saving you
the need to call over someone for a push. When you consider that many work trucks operate in
construction lots or farmers’ fields, you can appreciate why many advertise 4×4 on the side of the bed.
So why would you need anything other than 4WD for difficult road conditions? When driving forward in
a straight line, 4×4 technology is brilliant; the difficulty comes when turning, as the difference in the
turning radius between the front and rear axles requires that the wheels turn at different speeds,
something that 4WD does not allow for. If you’re driving in suitable 4×4 conditions—that is, with icy
roads, uneven terrain, or loose dirt or gravel beneath the tires—that allows for the wheels to become
unstuck and release their windup. Otherwise, they can lock up, especially when driving slow.

Types of 4WD:

1. Part Time 4WD

This refers to four-wheel drive system that operates on-demand and drives all 4 wheels by locking the
front and rear axles together via a shift lever. It usually includes 2 speed ranges (Hi and Lo). Part-time
four wheel drive systems must be operated in 2WD mode on dry pavement, because they’re designed to
be used only in special situations when extra traction is required.

2. Full-Time 4WD

This is a four-wheel-drive system that can be operated continuously on all surfaces. It powers all 4
wheels at all times. A full-time 4WD system may include the option of part-time operation (allowing you
to shift into 2WD on dry pavement, for example) and may or may not have Hi and Lo speed ranges.

Pros and Cons of 4-Wheel Drive

Advantages:

• Best off-road traction capabilities

• Can be switch off to increase fuel efficiency

Disadvantages:
• Not suitable for all driving conditions

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE (AWD)

AWD vs 4WD is that AWD is on all the time. There is no way to turn it off like you can with 4WD. Like
4WD Hi power is split between the left and right side as well. Although AWD takes it a step further. AWD
drive has three differentials. Differentials are basically gear boxes allowing the wheels to turn at
different speeds. Below is a video explain how it works. AWD drive vehicles have a differential in the
center of the car to split the power from the front and back and one each on the front and rear axles
distributing the power from left and right. Distributing different amount of power to each wheel helps to
gain traction at all speeds in all conditions. AWD drive is used on many types of vehicles from sport cars
to SUV’s.

AWD is the newer technology, and while it also splits the power from the engine between the two axles,
it has two main differentiators from 4WD:

With AWD, the system is always on (well, almost always). It isn’t a feature or mode that you need to
select. This means that when you hit unexpected poor road conditions (like a patch of ice), the system
automatically kicks in to give you better traction and handling.

The power split between the two axles isn’t always 50-50. There is usually a range of the amount of the
split, but the AWD system is continually gaining feedback from the tires and sending the most power to
the wheels which are receiving the most traction at the moment. For this reason, the AWD often
achieves a better safety rating, and is preferable and handy during slick Canadian winter driving
conditions.

A true AWD vehicle does not require the driver to actively shift between two-wheel and four-wheel
mode. If it does, it is a 4×4 masquerading as AWD. But since the AWD option does not quite match the
4WD system for extreme off-roading, you’re more likely to see it in sporty performance coupes and
aesthetically outdoorsy SUVs with no serious off-road pretensions.

Pros and Cons of All-Wheel Drive

Advantages:

• Better grip and sporty feel

• Higher safety ratings

Disadvantages:

• Poorer fuel economy