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Find info about cars sale – Embarking on an extreme off road adventure? Or perhaps you’re just taking your car up to the slopes for the ski season. Either way, a 4WD or AWD system option offers you the freedom to extend your adventures.
4WD how it works
Before you climb into the driver’s seat of a 4WD, understanding how the vehicle operates in various conditions will help you decide which 4WD or AWD vehicle will be best suited to your lifestyle.
The general mechanics of a 4WD system are designed to improve traction and give you better control over your vehicle, especially on slippery or uneven terrain – such as ice, snow, water and sand. Without getting into the technical aspects of differentials and locking hubs, a 4WD system essentially “drives” all four wheels separately which utilises traction from all the wheels that are touching the ground. This gives you better stability and off road performance as opposed to 2WD that only powers the front or rear set of axles.
Choosing a 4WD or AWD – which type is right for you?
Many road vehicles today come with the option of 4WD and AWD, including the used Honda Civic or even a new compact Suzuki hatchback. The options that are available utilise the basic 4WD principles with a few variations.
Part Time 4WD – a part time 4WD gives you the option of switching between 2WD, 4WD Hi and 4WD Lo settings. You activate your 4WD when you need it, but you must deactivate the system on dry pavement or you risk costly damage to the transfer case. Meanwhile, 4WD Lo can be engaged for extreme off road conditions. These types of 4WD systems are great for drivers who will be using their 4WD cars as everyday transport vehicles and only occasionally taking them off road.
Example: Toyota Tundra, Jeep Wrangler
Full Time 4WD – a full time 4WD will have its 4WD system engaged at all times, even on dry pavement. These cars generally lose the 2WD option and give you the choice between 4WD Hi and 4WD Lo settings. The Lo setting remains ideal for extreme off road situations. The full time 4WD gives you the benefit of not needing to disengage and reengage the system in variable driving conditions. If you anticipate using your vehicle in regular off road situations, it’ll be worth it to invest in a good new or used Land Rover or other full time 4WD.
Example: Land Rover
AWD – All wheel drive vehicles are similar to Full Time 4WD, except that they do not have the low gear option, which means they’re not appropriate for extreme off road. AWD has become a common feature in many vehicles as they are considered to be a desired safety option for increased on-road stability. As a result, most AWD vehicles will have generally low ground clearance making them generally unsuited for driving off road.
Example: Volvo XC70, Porsche 911
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Posted in Cars and Trucks · March 9th, 2010 · Comments (0)
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