Can All Wheel Drive Vehicles Drive You Better?

Every day new technology rises in the world and makes it the better place and more fascinating as all of us have the interest in these changes. And we need it to improve the standard of living as human beings. Every aspect and every niche are changing and raising their bar towards the extreme. As the automobile is part of our world and it's also changing in the technological aspects. There are so many examples like ABS, EBD, Smart Key, DTS-i, 4-valve technology, ECU, and the tons of more.

If we try to discuss on the automobiles then cars and SUV's are the trending topics for us. Generally, I surf the internet for everything that's new to me and try to understand it and sometimes so many interesting things and facts are opened in front of me. This article is also one of the special because I love automobiles and you may be also. Almost all of us have seen a car or four wheelers and somewhat know about them. Have you thought yet about how the vehicle runs? And how the power of the engine is transferred to the wheels of the vehicle?

And, here's the answer to this question- The power required to drive the vehicle is produced by the engine and through the transmission system, it's then transferred to the wheels. So many parts are involved in this whole mechanism like engine, clutch, gearbox, driveshaft, differential,axle and finally to the wheels. According to the combination of these parts vehicles are differentiated as front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, and four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Remember, though four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are looking same but they both are quite different from each other.

Now, we are going to discuss each drive system in detail.

1) Front Wheel Drive:

Most passenger vehicles on the road today use front-wheel drive (FWD). Front-wheel drive designs are cheaper to manufacture and more space-efficient than rear-drive systems. Plus, FWD has the added advantage of better traction while climbing hills because the engine’s weight is poised over the front wheels. From a packaging standpoint, front-drive also precludes the need for a space-robbing driveline hump running down the middle of the cabin floor.

2) Rear Wheel Drive:

Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is commonly found on pickups and old-school truck-based SUVs, along with sports cars and high-performance and luxury sedans. For trucks, RWD allows the use of bulky, heavy-duty components, and it provides better traction with a hefty load. On a performance car, rear-wheel-drive improves handling by balancing the car’s weight more evenly front to rear. And because the front wheels don’t have to do double duty—both driving and steering—designers can optimize the suspension for handling prowess. However, RWD provides less traction on slippery roads. These days, most high-end cars offer all-wheel drive either standard or as an option.

3) Four Wheel Drive:

Although four-wheel drive (4WD) and AWD are designations that are often used interchangeably in advertising and sales literature, there is a difference. Generally, 4WD is optimized for severe off-road driving situations such as climbing over boulders, fording deep water, and tackling steep hills with loose, low-traction surfaces. Most 4WD systems have low gear range, the latter used to increase low-speed climbing power. Some have differentials which allow left and right wheels and front and rear axles to turn at different speeds to be locked for maximum traction.

Modern 4WD systems are either full-time, which means they stay engaged; automatic, where the vehicle automatically switches between two- and four-wheel-drive mode; and part-time, which require the driver to manually shift between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. Vehicles with a part-time system shouldn’t be driven on dry pavement when in 4WD mode, which could risk damage to the vehicle's drivetrain.

Aside from serious off-road enthusiasts, most drivers never come close to needing the capability that 4WD systems provide over and above AWD systems.

4) All Wheel Drive:

As the name implies, all-wheel drive (AWD) feeds power to each corner. Depending on the system, AWD can provide maximum forward traction during acceleration. It is especially helpful in sloppy road conditions and when driving over the moderate off-road terrain. It can help get you going and keep you moving through mud, sand, and other loose surfaces. Most AWD systems deliver power primarily to one set of wheels, front or rear. When slippage is detected at one axle, power is diverted to the other axle, in hopes of finding more traction there.

Not all AWD systems are equal. Some AWD system always directs at least 20-percent of the engine’s power to the rear, and it can direct a larger amount after if needed. Many other systems fitted to front-wheel-drive vehicles operate with 100 percent of the power normally going to the front wheels & the rear wheels then receive power only when the front wheels start slipping. 

AWD systems are especially helpful in rapidly changing conditions or when driving on a road with intermittent snow and ice. It is commonly used for car-based SUVs, as well as certain cars and minivans.

Traction Control:

Traction Control is a worthwhile option that improves traction and directional stability on slippery roads, using a combination of electronics, drivetrain control, and ABS. Some systems adjust engine power output while gently applying the brakes to particular wheels during acceleration and cornering. BMW, Cadillac, and Mercedes-Benz offer new electronic stability-control systems on their higher-priced models. These systems help stabilize a vehicle's handling when it's pushed to the limits. Look for these systems to appear on less expensive models in the near future.