The best way to understand the difference between all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive is to think of it this way. A Diet Coke is to a double espresso as all-wheel drive is to four-wheel drive. Both are means to an end, but while a Diet Coke and all-wheel drive are acceptable for everyday use, a double espresso and four-wheel drive should be reserved for special occasions, when you need something stronger.
How All-Wheel Drive Works
In an all-wheel drive vehicle, the engine's power is sent to all four tires all of the time. This helps keep your vehicle going forward better than front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive in the snow, sleet, or rain-covered roads. In high-performance vehicles, all-wheel drive helps transfer the engine's torque to the ground while at high speeds or when launching from rest with the engine's full power. A lot of all-wheel-drive cars out today shuffle torque between the front and rear tires as needed and automatically switch to two-wheel drive when appropriate to improve fuel efficiency.
All-wheel drive is best used on pavement because it’s designed to let each tire rotate at its own speed in turns. So all-wheel drive is ideal for the average driver who is looking to stay safe and sound when driving in hazardous conditions. That’s why you’ll find that most SUVs and passenger cars are available in all-wheel drive.
DID YOU KNOW?
All-Wheel Drive Vehicles Should Be Towed On A Flatbed!
While a two-wheel drive vehicle can easily be towed by lifting either the front or rear wheels off the ground, all-wheel drive vehicles need all their wheels lifted in order to be towed. This is because all the wheels are connected to the drivetrain, so pulling the vehicle by just two wheels can damage the vehicle.
It is technically possible to tow an all-wheel drive vehicle on its wheels, but you would need to disengage the driveshaft – which is complex, expensive, and can really only be performed by a trained mechanic. So, the best and correct way to tow an all-wheel drive vehicle is using a flatbed.
How Four-Wheel Drive Works
Intended only for use off-road or on very slippery surfaces, four-wheel drive is a part-time system. This means that the driver has to shift into and out of four-wheel drive. This is usually done by turning a knob, pushing a button, or yanking a lever. When this happens the front and rear driveshafts come together, keeping the front and rear axles turning at the same speed. In sand, mud, and snow, this guarantees that the engine torque is always being sent to at least one front and one rear wheel, without relying on computers to predict or detect wheel slip. So that means there's more power being put to the ground in very slippery conditions to keep you going. But a major drawback is that four-wheel drive is not designed to be used on paved roads and is reserved for vehicles with serious off-road capability.
So, now you know the difference between all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, and you can make the best choice for your needs. If you’re big into taking it off-road, choose four-wheel drive. If you like to keep all your wheels on the road, choose all-wheel drive. No matter what you choose The Folsom Auto Mall has plenty of all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles to choose from. Stop by the Folsom Auto Mall today to take a test drive.