AWD vs. 4WD Explained: What’s The Meaning, Difference?

Ever wondered what AWD and 4WD mean? To be honest, these two terms can be confusing and leaves you wondering which is better. To begin with, AWD means All Wheel Drive while 4WD means Four Wheel Drive. While these two terms are similar, they have differences that set them apart. Read on till the end to know these differences as well as the pros and cons of using an AWD or a 4WD.

What Does AWD Mean?

Like the name implies- ‘all wheel‘; AWD is the kind of drivetrain that sends power to all four wheels i.e front and rear wheels at a time. All-wheel drive is what you’ll find on most modern SUVs and passenger cars. Crossovers such as the Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V are equipped with AWD. Drivers that live in regions with heavy seasonal weather like rain, ice and snow will find that all-wheel drive provides better traction on roads affected by inclement weather.

AWD can further be divided into two;

• Full time AWD: Here, all four wheels are powered continuously.

• Part time AWD: Also called, automatic AWD. Vehicles with part time AWD, functions in a two-wheel drive mode most of the time. But, when circumstances demand it and more traction is needed, it automatically sends power to the four wheels.

What Does 4WD Mean?

In 4WD, equal amounts of power are sent to both the front and rear wheels. Unlike AWD, 4WD is usually used for vehicles intended for off-road activities. 4WD systems deliver torque through a series of the front, rear and centre differentials, transfer cases and couplings, which allow the vehicle to operate at maximum traction under a variety of conditions. The 4WD system is found primarily in large trucks and SUVs needed for heavy-duty work.

In some 4WD vehicles, the driver needs to engage the car in 4WD mode usually with the push of a button or a pull of a lever. However, some 4WD systems, such as the Autotrac system available in vehicles such as the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon, offer automatic 4WD operation.

How Does AWD Work?

In an AWD system, all the wheels get torque through a series of differentials, viscous couplings and/or multi-plate clutches, which help distribute power to the wheels so that the car’s traction is optimized. Both full-time and part-time AWD systems generally operate independently of input from the driver.

In full-time AWD, both the front and rear axles are driven all the time. On the other hand, in normal operation, part-time AWD sends torque to two driven wheels, either the front or rear, depending on the make and model. The system then automatically engages the other two wheels when road conditions demand extra traction.

How Does 4WD Work?

4WD systems can better handle rough terrains, unlike AWD. Like the AWD, 4WD is able to send power to both front and rear wheels when greater traction is needed. Many, but not all, 4WD vehicles have a centre differential that helps divide the power and torque between the front and rear axle.

Many 4WD systems also have low and high ranges that can be selected by the driver, either with an electronic switch or a floor-mounted mechanical lever. The low setting provides maximum traction to propel the vehicle at a lower speed over steep terrain. The high setting is the default configuration, useful for slippery on-road conditions, such as packed snow, ice, loose sand or gravel.

Pros And Cons Of AWD And 4WD

A peculiar advantage of an AWD and 4WD vehicle is that it is able to generate greater traction when necessary, unlike two-wheel drive vehicles. This is especially needed if the road is wet or slippery as the traction is distributed equally between all four wheels. It is also handy when driving on sand.

Also, AWD and 4WD can operate without the driver’s inputs as power is automatically powered to all four wheels as the situation demands.

A disadvantage of an AWD vehicle to 4WD is that the former can not handle extreme off-road conditions or extremely slippery roads. So, if you are an adventure seeker or you need to get some massive off-road work done, a 4WD vehicle is more suitable.

In addition, unlike two-wheel-drive vehicles, AWD and 4WD vehicles have low fuel efficiency. This implies you are likely to spend more on fuel, gas or diesel with an AWD or 4WD.

CONCLUSION

AWD and 4WD vehicles are essential whenever you need a car with better traction. However, the best decision on which drivetrain to pick is determined by your driving needs (daily commute or heavy-duty work) and your geographical location.