What makes a 4WD different from AWD?

I won’t ask this question from the auto geeks but many people think that 4WD and AWD are two different names of the same technology but the fact is not so. This article will make you clear that what makes a Four Wheel Drive vehicle(4WD) different from the All Wheel Drive vehicle. A common public perception is that all wheel drive autos have more than four wheels which are all engaged but this is not the case.

Let us know what the term”4WD” is about. A 4WD is simply a vehicle which has all the four wheels either permanently or temporarily powered.

• Part time 4WD It is a vehicle in which all the four wheels can be powered for part times only. In short, you have the option to engage all the four wheels or simply the two wheels. This peculiar system is not designed for all the terrains due to the absence of the center differential system. So part time 4WD vehicles are not for dry and wet surfaces as all the four wheels attached to a common chain have the same speed which may cause problems in turning. It can only be used for higher loads and rough terrain conditions. Jeep wrangler is famous world wide for its part time 4WD system.

• Permanent 4WD Thanks to center differential system that has made Permanent 4WD vehicles to drive in all the terrains. It has got a better stability and more traction than part time 4WD vehicles but the draw back is that it can not be converted into 2WD. All the four wheels are engaged all the time. It can be switched between 4WD Hi and 4WD Lo. Land Rover and Range Rover are the Permanent 4WD vehicles.

• AWD vehicles engage all the four wheels all the time. The real purpose for manufacturing such vehicles is to provide the on road stability though it can be used in all the terrains. It lacks the slow speed torque enhancing low range feature which makes it different from permanent 4WD vehicles. Audi Quattro is usually preferred by many car buyers due to AWD system.

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