You must have heard a lot about 4WD & AWD. So a car/SUV may be Four-wheel Drive(4 x 4), AWD(All-wheel drive), and rest come under the category of Two-wheel drive(2WD). 2WD’s are generally Front Wheel Drive(FWD). There are Real Wheel Drive(RWD) vehicles also available in the market. So, the difference between FWD and RWD is a matter of another article and discussion. In this article Let’s concentrate on 4WD vs AWD.
What is All-Wheel Drive(AWD)?
As the name suggests, the all-wheel-drive system provides power to both fronts as well as the rear wheel. But it has something which makes it different from the four-wheel-drive system. It has a differential which calculates according to the situation how much torque/power should be delivered to which Tyre.
Let’s take an example:
I have an all wheel drive(AWD) car which is stuck in Mud. Now, one of my rear Tyre is in air. So sensors which are equipped in each Tyre will send their information/status to the system. So the system sends order that the Tyre which is in air doesn’t need that much of power.
So, the differential will provide that extra power to the adjacent Tyre and will send minimum power to the Tyre which is in air.
I hope, you have got a clear picture of AWD after reading above mentioned example. Let’s proceed towards the Four-Wheel Drive system.
What is Four-Wheel Drive(4WD)?
In four wheel drive, All wheel of the vehicle receives the same power every time. So, if we consider the above-mentioned example in the case of a 4WD vehicle, the wheel which is in the air will also rotate with the same speed as it’ an adjacent wheel.
four wheel drive vehicles generally have the option either to use their vehicle in 2WD mode or 4WD mode.
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4WD vs AWD. Which one is better?
If you want a true Off-Roader vehicle and not very much bothered about highway driving then a four-wheel drive is made for you only. On the other hand, if you want an all-weather vehicle having little bit off-roading capacity then the all-wheel drive is for You.
Just keep in mind that on highway driving, 4WD will not work well as during the turning power of adjacent wheels should be different so that vehicle can take the desired turn. Since, 4WD has the same power in all vehicles, you will find it difficult to make a turn. But, almost in every 4WD vehicles you can find the option of 2WD. i.e you can decide whether you want to drive your vehicle in 2WD mode or 4WD mode.
Nick is a content writer and very much interested in new findings in the automobile industry.
