# All wheel drive **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [March 21, 2010, 11:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/all-wheel-drive/46436 "2010-03-21T23:10:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![wingman1228](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@wingman1228](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wingman1228)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 11:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/all-wheel-drive/46436/1 "2010-03-21T23:10:13Z")
what is the difference between all wheel drive and four wheel drive ---
**Author:** ![dagosa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dagosa/32/9837_2.png) [@dagosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dagosa)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 11:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/all-wheel-drive/46436/2 "2010-03-21T23:15:11Z")
Nothing…it seems now to be used interchangeably. The difference is really in “part time” 4wd and “full time” 4wd which may be called awd when it’s engaged all the time with no choice. Part time locks center differential or has none with the 4wd engaged from 2wd and is used only in slippery conditions Full time 4wd or awd can be used all the time with it’s limited slip center differential, in “almost” any driving condition with exceptions noted in owner’s manual google more complete answers…this is just basics and plenty of confusing when car companies seem to have no standard way of defining them themselves. ---
**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 11:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/all-wheel-drive/46436/3 "2010-03-21T23:36:08Z")
All wheel drive is full time, and does not require the driver to make any changes. Four wheel drive is part time, and only works when the driver engages it. AWD is better for on-road driving. 4WD is better for off-road driving. There are major differences between 4WD and AWD, and there are also major differences between different AWD systems. Why do you ask? ---
**Author:** ![dagosa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dagosa/32/9837_2.png) [@dagosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dagosa)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 11:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/all-wheel-drive/46436/4 "2010-03-21T23:43:09Z")
I would normally have preferred your simpler explanation, till companies like Honda and Jeep continually refer to their systems as 4wd. That’s why it gets a little confusing and I have to include part time and full time 4wd in the discussion. 4WD = Low range and High Range gearing AWD = Only high range gearing > **[What is the difference between an AWD and 4WD vehicle](http://www.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_difference_between_an_AWD_and_4WD_vehicle)** > > Answer 4WD = Low range and High Range gearingAWD = Only high range gearing Part-time 4WD: No centre differential. [http://www.rubicon-trail.com/4WD101/difference\_4WD\_awd.html](http://www.rubicon-trail.com/4WD101/difference_4WD_awd.html) ---
**Author:** ![wingman1228](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@wingman1228](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wingman1228)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 1:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/all-wheel-drive/46436/5 "2010-03-22T01:10:35Z")
my daughter is buying a mariner that is all wheel drive…will this be as good in the snow ---
**Author:** ![waterboy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/waterboy/32/764_2.png) [@waterboy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/waterboy)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 1:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/all-wheel-drive/46436/6 "2010-03-22T01:30:43Z")
Yes it will have all wheel drive all the time, the trade off is 4 wheel drive on demand gives better gas mileage. ---
**Author:** ![dagosa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dagosa/32/9837_2.png) [@dagosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dagosa)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 1:33am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/all-wheel-drive/46436/7 "2010-03-22T01:33:17Z")
It will be just as good in snow as your tires will allow. Make sure you have snow tires or tires rated well in snow. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 3:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/all-wheel-drive/46436/8 "2010-03-22T03:27:40Z")
Punch “AWD” into this boards search feature ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 3:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/all-wheel-drive/46436/9 "2010-03-22T03:29:47Z")
It won’t stop any better or steer any better than a 2wd, FWD vehicle… ---
**Author:** ![dagosa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dagosa/32/9837_2.png) [@dagosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dagosa)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 12:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/all-wheel-drive/46436/10 "2010-03-22T12:07:02Z")
And your point is ? This board is not always correct in it’s formulated opinions. I hope you read my entire post and not just the first line… What do we call cars like a v8 4Runner with “full time 4 wheel drive” with low range off road capability. It is always engaged, as is some Vitara models I believe the difference in awd and full time 4 wheel drive is 4wd in general has a low range and awd does not; and it’s that simple. So “part” and “full time” is an issue when 4wd is discussed and just saying 4wd is always part time ain’t enough IMVHO. ---
**Author:** ![dagosa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dagosa/32/9837_2.png) [@dagosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dagosa)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 3:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/all-wheel-drive/46436/11 "2010-03-22T15:43:26Z")
Modern AWD actually do steer and handle better than fwd under acceleration or climbing even slight grades in either slippery or dry conditions, as the torque is taken off the front wheels and shifted more to the rear automatically. Under these conditions, the fwd with torque steer and any front slippage is always at a disadvantage in steering and handling to modern awd. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 4:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/all-wheel-drive/46436/12 "2010-03-22T16:27:40Z")
For most people, 95% of their driving is on dry, clear roads. Few drivers have ever experienced “torque steer”. Most people just want transportation, not a rally car…In my opinion, the cost of buying and maintaining an AWD vehicle is not worth it… ---
**Author:** ![dagosa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dagosa/32/9837_2.png) [@dagosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dagosa)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 5:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/all-wheel-drive/46436/13 "2010-03-22T17:07:02Z")
I couldn’t agree with you more for the overall need you describe vs the cost… but I can’t say awd does not steer any better than fwd when it does, even if limited to snow, hills and freeway on ramps in slippery conditions, emergency maneuvers, towing, heavily loaded car, etc. People buying AWD cars should expect them to steer better in the “snow conditions” OP was referring to. That’s all… ---
**Author:** ![dagosa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dagosa/32/9837_2.png) [@dagosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dagosa)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 4:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/all-wheel-drive/46436/14 "2010-03-23T16:15:13Z")
often//Differences such as locking axles and low range transfer cases are often the only differences between all wheel drive and full time four wheel drive. ---
**Author:** ![Pinecomp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Pinecomp](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Pinecomp)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 4:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/all-wheel-drive/46436/15 "2010-03-23T16:38:48Z")
I would normally have preferred your simpler explanation, till companies like Honda and Jeep continually refer to their systems as 4wd. That’s why it gets a little confusing and I have to include part time and full time 4wd in the discussion. 4WD = Low range and High Range gearing AWD = Only high range gearing I respectfully disagree with the above. I drive a Mercedes ML 320 AWD that has a low range, as they all do. ---
**Author:** ![ken\_green](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/ken_green/32/816_2.png) [@ken\_green](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ken_green)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 4:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/all-wheel-drive/46436/16 "2010-03-23T16:41:21Z")
The Mariner will be automatic AWD. No switches for the operator to select anything. AWD is engaged when slippage is detected, otherwise 2wd on the front wheels. My wife has an 06 Escape hybrid AWD and loves it on the snowy, icy city streets. No off roading or towing with that one. ---
**Author:** ![dagosa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dagosa/32/9837_2.png) [@dagosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dagosa)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 4:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/all-wheel-drive/46436/17 "2010-03-23T16:52:19Z")
I’m only going by what off road aficionados say about awd/4wd and I just disgree with 4wd having to be “put in being only part time”. Car makers can call their cars what ever they want…but officially awd drives with lockers and low range gearing are referred to by them as full time 4wd with off road capability. My 4Runner has 2wd full time 4wd with lock or unlocke center diff and even low range with an open differential foe bare road crawling. They wouldn’t call it awd, and neither would they call yours that. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 5:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/all-wheel-drive/46436/18 "2010-03-23T17:04:07Z")
> AWD is better for on-road driving. 4WD is better for off-road driving. Depends…Major snow storms…I want 4wd…It’s FAR FAR superior in deep snow where you have to drudge your way through just to get home.