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Member Advice Summary
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4WD: Not just for offroading
by LimeSMJ | Apr 24 '00
Given the plethora of SUVs out there, one has to wonder what has caused this demand for them. Was it the fear of the next ice age? Or was it the increase in gas prices that forced people to buy 30 gallons of cheap gas, store it in their SUV's gas tank...Return to opinion
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hey (Reply to this comment)
by cleanshaven
nice job; I shouldn't be such a curmudgeon!
Patrick.
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May 15 '00
8:22 pm PDT
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Re: ... (Reply to this comment)
by LimeSMJ
Of course there is no hard feelings... I was just really thrown off by this 4WD and AWD thing...
To add to your definition though, essentially 4WD and AWD are the same thing with the only difference being that issue with the differential.
I have added something about this in my updated review...
Thanks for the input and the clarification.
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May 14 '00
3:31 pm PDT
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Re: ... (Reply to this comment)
by cleanshaven
For some competitions (mud racing, rock-crawling, hill-climbing) 4wd is used. The exception is baja-style racing, commonly performed in 2wd. For goofing around on jeep trails, driving around in the backcountry, hauling feed to livestock, etc. 2wd is more common.
AWD is a type of differential system that is designed for extra traction control in bad weather. Depending on the system, power is applied differentially to different wheels.
4WD is a confusing term. Most assume it means all 4 wheels are being turned by the drivetrain. this is only true in vehicles equipped with locked diffs! otherwise, you are driving on open diffs, and power will be applied ONLY to the side of the axle with less traction. Ever seen an SUV spinning two tires, one on each axle? the 4x4 is engaged, but the diffs aren't locked.
There is a "diff"erence between performance and marketing hype, my friend. I read your reviews, and you've done some homework, but PLEASE don't fall prey to the great automotive marketing scam of the last 5 years; The faulty notion that you need 4x4 to drive on pavement in bad weather.
No hard feelings,
Patrick.
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May 14 '00
7:13 am PDT
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Re: ... (Reply to this comment)
by LimeSMJ
An excerpt from my epinion...
"One thing to add is that if you are over-confident with your 4WD driving skills, you can and will get stuck too... possibly getting yourself into an accident as well."
I agree with you on that point but one thing that I can't understand your logic in defining the "difference" between 4WD and AWD.
4WD, to my knowledge, is defined as all four wheels providing forward (or reverse) momentum. AWD - all wheel drive is no different. So when you say that 4WD is not for bad pavement driving you are basically contradicting yourself. From your explanation, your definition of AWD and 4WD is purely based on the vehicle it is placed on, which I think is very incorrect.
As for marketing hype? Well, that is a point too invloved to get into... but in short, it all depends on where you live and what kind of weather your vehicle drives in.
By the way, MOST off-roaders DON'T use 2WD... they use 4WD. have NO idea where you got that from. The ONLY off-roading situation where you would use 2WD is on flat surfaces... which is rare when I go off-roading.
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May 13 '00
5:54 am PDT
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... (Reply to this comment)
by cleanshaven
Driver skill has alot to do with stuck/unstuck. too many people think "i've got 4wd, I can't be stopped". Go to colorado in the winter, and see all the SUVs on the side spinning in the snow; Open diffs.
There is a difference between 4wd and Awd. Awd is for pavement in bad weather. 4wd is for BAD off-road conditions. Most off-road driving is done in 2wd.
People have bought the marketing hype that you need 4x4 SUVs to drive safe in the winter; common sense and good driving will get you further than a misapplied military transmission.
Patrick.
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May 13 '00
5:17 am PDT
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