The Difference Between All Wheel Drive (AWD) and Four Wheel Drive (4WD)

The terms all wheel drive and four wheel drive has been used interchangeably and a lot of people assume that they are the same thing. While these two systems are very similar in a lot of perspectives such as they both involve the vehicle driving on all four wheels, but however they are not exactly the same thing. There are some differences between AWD and 4WD. The 4WD systems has been around for quite a while and it is certainly not outdated.

Four Wheel Drive (4WD)

The 4WD is used for a lot if off road driving such as driving over boulders, tackling steep hills with loose low traction surface and to some extent driving over somewhat deep amounts of water. There is part time 4WD and full time 4WD. Modern 4WD systems are either full time and automatic or part time and manual. With full time automatic the vehicle automatically shifts between the two wheel drive and four wheel drive mode. With part time manual the driver is required to shift between the two wheel drive and four wheel drive modes manually. With the part time manual system the vehicle should not be driven on dry pavements with the 4WD system on due to the fact that can cause damage to the drivetrain. Aside from the off road enthusiast most people will not use the full potential of the 4WD system.

All Wheel Drive (AWD)

With all wheel drive it provides power to each corner. Depending on the system the AWD can provide maximum traction during acceleration. When the roads are in terrible condition and driving in some off road terrains this system can be helpful. This system can help getting through loose surfaces such as sand, mud and snow. With AWD the system general delivers power to one set of wheel which can be the front or rear. When there is slippage detected the power will is diverted to the other axle in a way to find more traction. Not AWD systems are created equal some focus more on the front wheels while others fit more on the rear. AWD systems are good for conditions where the road are slippery such as roads with snow or ice.

Now we see that while the AWD and 4WD systems are similar in a lot of ways and has been used interchangeably a lot of times, due to the fact that both systems involve the vehicle driving on all four wheel. But however they are quite of few differences between the two systems.