# My AWD has been diconected. Is this a good solution? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** nissan, rogue\ **Created:** [April 20, 2017, 4:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/my-awd-has-been-diconected-is-this-a-good-solution/103165 "2017-04-20T16:42:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DruidDriver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@DruidDriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/DruidDriver)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 4:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/my-awd-has-been-diconected-is-this-a-good-solution/103165/1 "2017-04-20T16:42:59Z")
2011 Nissan Rogue After experiencing a grinding and binding condition when backing up with the steering wheel full right or left, I took it to my friend, a mechanic for a look-see. It was determined they the universal Joint at the rear axle was binding and needs replacement. At the U joint is integral to the driveshaft I must replace the whole unit an a cost of several hundred dollars. Do I want to spend this kind of money on an old car? While I’m mulling this over, I’m running a two wheel front drive configuration. Amazingly, the car runs smoother and the instrument panel tells me I have an decrease of 5 mpg in my fuel consumption. I attribute this to the saving in energy by not having to transfer energy to the rear wheels. Am I correct? Can I continue in a two wheel drive mode without damage? I would appreciate any comments as I’m willing to listen to both/any sides or comments Thanks, Gearheads ---
**Author:** ![BillRussell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/billrussell/32/3179_2.png) [@BillRussell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BillRussell)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 5:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/my-awd-has-been-diconected-is-this-a-good-solution/103165/2 "2017-04-20T17:18:05Z")
> [@Druidmeister](#): > > decrease of 5 mpg in my fuel consumption I think you mean that the MPG **increases**. Fuel consumption decreases causes MPG increase. ---
**Author:** ![DruidDriver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@DruidDriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/DruidDriver)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 5:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/my-awd-has-been-diconected-is-this-a-good-solution/103165/3 "2017-04-20T17:35:26Z")
> BillRussell [http://community.cartalk.com/users/billrussell](http://community.cartalk.com/users/billrussell) > April 20 > > Druidmeister: > > decrease of 5 mpg in my fuel consumption > > I think you mean that the MPG _increases_. Fuel consumption decreases > causes MPG increaseVisit Topic > [http://community.cartalk.com/t/my-awd-has-been-diconected-is-this-a-good-solution/103165/2](http://community.cartalk.com/t/my-awd-has-been-diconected-is-this-a-good-solution/103165/2) > or reply to this email to respond. > > To unsubscribe from these emails, click here > [http://community.cartalk.com/email/unsubscribe/b0c50a49e244ae4a8e79bfe9b161a38370dd0daa5bc2606b1061231d55ebcb2a](http://community.cartalk.com/email/unsubscribe/b0c50a49e244ae4a8e79bfe9b161a38370dd0daa5bc2606b1061231d55ebcb2a) > . ---
**Author:** ![DruidDriver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@DruidDriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/DruidDriver)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 5:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/my-awd-has-been-diconected-is-this-a-good-solution/103165/4 "2017-04-20T17:36:09Z")
You are correct, my error ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 5:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/my-awd-has-been-diconected-is-this-a-good-solution/103165/5 "2017-04-20T17:40:21Z")
my rear driveshaft is removed since the carrier bearing is shot. this is a pic of another car, not my actual car. I have the rear differential and 2 axle shafts still remaining. maybe I could remove them for weight savings? I might have to remove 1 or both axles to change my wheel bearings but I assume the diff may leak fluid if I yank out the cv axle? why not fix the carrier bearing? I assume your axle is not super expensive but paying a mechanic to change it might add up. ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/2X/7/72d5df9c3982835c0068bd3bf6be8afdf167b3c3.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![FoDaddy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/fodaddy/32/717_2.png) [@FoDaddy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/FoDaddy)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 5:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/my-awd-has-been-diconected-is-this-a-good-solution/103165/6 "2017-04-20T17:40:48Z")
> [@Druidmeister](#): > > cost of several hundred dollars. A few hundred bucks for a car repair these days isn’t much. > [@Druidmeister](#): > > . Do I want to spend this kind of money on an old car? A 5-6 year old car isn’t that old in my book. > [@Druidmeister](#): > > I have an decrease of 5 mpg in my fuel consumption. I attribute this to the saving in energy by not having to transfer energy to the rear wheels. Am I correct? I would question the accuracy of that. Per the EPA there’s no difference in city fuel economy and a 2 MPG difference in highway economy between the front wheel drive 2011 Rouge and the AWD model > **[Compare Side-by-Side](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=30759&id=30813)** > > Compare the MPG of cars and trucks side-by-side. Compare the gas mileage and greenhouse gas emissions of new and used cars and trucks a 5 MPG difference is much larger swing than what you should reasonably expect. > [@Druidmeister](#): > > Can I continue in a two wheel drive mode without damage? I wonder if the AWD system ties into the traction control, ABS, and or stability control systems on the vehicle. If they do, then you might find that they aren’t functioning optimally (or at all) in a inopportune time. I’d get it fixed. ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 5:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/my-awd-has-been-diconected-is-this-a-good-solution/103165/7 "2017-04-20T17:43:39Z")
Someone here may know for sure if it’s wise to run with the AWD disconnected. Was this done electronically, or by physically removing something? Years ago in Subarus you could press a button to switch from AWD to FWD. I’ve always thought this was a good thing, since AWD so seldom confers much advantage. As for your old 2011 vehicle - average age of cars on the road is about 11 years IIRC. In my book yours is not so old to stop keeping it in good repair. But it is your car and you decide! Best wishes. ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 7:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/my-awd-has-been-diconected-is-this-a-good-solution/103165/8 "2017-04-20T19:24:31Z")
Is this car in unusually bad shape or does it have unusually high miles? Otherwise, I certainly think a 2011 car is worth a proper repair.