FWD, AWD, FWD t

[mabr]

Time to get my wife a new SUV and got to wondering what everyone's thought are on the AWD models. She had FWD (Four wheel drive now). But it looks like that has kind of gone away as being normal anymore.

How good are the AWD in snow. Ive heard people say its no problem but i cant understand how it can be comparable to four wheel drive. We live on a rural road and Im not sure how it will be when we have say 6 inches of snow. Any more than that she would be staying home.

Thoughts?

[PurpleFloyd]

AWD is just fine for a vehicle IMHO. My wife had a AWD Grand Caravan and to be honest that thing stuck to the road better than any vehicle I have ever driven. I wish they still made them. Now she had an AWD Freestyle and that does great in snow too. You don't have to worry about engaging the 4wd and you can operate at any speed. Of course you probably don't want to add 44" super swampers and go rock crawling but that isn't the intent.

I would look at the wheelbase and how high the center of gravity is though. I have never been a fan of the tall, short wheel base models myself as they tend to get skittish.

[leech~~]

Tires, tires, tires make a big diff on AWD. I have never been so afraid in my life pulling a snowmobile trailer in the first snow that I had driven in my Vue AWD. I was going out to pick up a used sled from a guy and was going no where up hills. Once I got there I left the trailer and the sled I just picked up from him in his yard until I could get some new tires. Now I love the little Vue with the Honda motor in it which of course they don't make any more! Have never had an issue pulling sleds on a trailer now and have never even slid with the right set of tires on it!

[gquist]

They are basically the same thing, In a AWD vehicle when a computer senses that one of the axles tires are moving faster then the other axles tires in engages a clutch that automatically apply power to the other axle and you have 4 wheel drive, then is releases it when it is no longer needed, It all takes place seamlessly and you don't even notice it is going on.

[Esox_Magnum]

On crappy winter roads I'll choose my wifes Subaru AWD over my GMC 1500 4x4...

[delcecchi]

They are basically the same thing, In a AWD vehicle when a computer senses that one of the axles tires are moving faster then the other axles tires in engages a clutch that automatically apply power to the other axle and you have 4 wheel drive, then is releases it when it is no longer needed, It all takes place seamlessly and you don't even notice it is going on.

That is how my explorer works. There is also an AWD that uses a "viscous coupling" or something to route the power to the other axle. The fancier explorers and also suburus use that type. Actually all the explorers might do that now. Mine is old.

[ChuckN]

My first AWD experience was an old Subaru Legacy sedan until it died. Bought a Honda CR-V in 2008 for the Mrs. and loved the AWD (they call it 4WD, but it's AWD in my book) so much that I bought an older CR-V for myself. Still get relatively good mileage (22mpg in winter/27mpg summer). We live in rural area too where plows don't always make it quickly and I blasted through over 12" of snow (over the hood snow) in last years storms relatively easily. Great vehicles..

[mabr]

Ok I have a better understanding of the AWD now. My truck has that option and I use it when the roads are intermittently icy or snowy.

I still don't get how they can be better or as good as 4WD though.

[Ufatz]

Subaru Forester. All you need to know.

[leech~~]

I still don't get how they can be better or as good as 4WD though.

The big difference I see is that with AWD and you find your self in the middle of a mud hole, you may already be screwed as you have to wait for the other set of tires to kick in once the others start to spin. Even that short little time of getting power to them all so they are all pulling together may make the difference. Where with full time or lock 4 wheel drive you have all wheels pulling the instant you punch the gas and that could make all the difference from punching through or being stuck! I'm sure your wife will not have to worry about that. But, anyone that has done some boonie riding or had to get back hunting on bad logging roads enough knows what I mean.

[titelines]

I've got a 4WD truck and love it, never had any problems.

That being said....we outfitted my wife's Subaru Outback (AWD) with the triple-tread Goodyear Assurance tires and I have to thumb wrestle her for the car in bad weather...awesome car and tires.

[Jeremy airjer W]

That is a fantastic tire. Had a set on the FWD Town and country and it did very well in the snow!

[MNice]

There are differences in AWD. We had a buick AWD (junk, and I'm a GM fan!!) AWD was not smooth, had a few glitches when it would kick in. Now we have 2 Foresters, and when my 01 silverado dies, we will have another forester.

[Jeremy airjer W]

But we sure do make enough money replacement the rear diff. solenoids!

[Dave S]

I've driven a Subaru Legacy in snow/slush. Great AWD system. I currently drive a VW Tiguan with AWD and the transition is seemless in that. Just had the 70K mile service done and the vehicle handles and drives like new.

I've had Rangers, Silverados and Rams in the past and between them I would rate the Silverado AWD system by far the best.

[Whoaru99]

Ok I have a better understanding of the AWD now. My truck has that option and I use it when the roads are intermittently icy or snowy.

I still don't get how they can be better or as good as 4WD though.

Its better for the purpose you describe because, generally speaking, its all automatic and just works. Don't have to remember to turn it on or off, etc.

As someone else mentioned, if you're doing serious offroading maybe 4wd drive might be better in some situations but I sorta even question that anymore.

FWIW, my SO drives an AWD Nissan Rogue about 75 miles round trip every business day. No problems getting there, even when she probably should have stayed home, and says she gets about 28mpg.

[not_nuf_time]

We had two Astro AWD minivans and I've had five 4x4 trucks. As far as winter driving goes, AWD is much better than four wheel drive. Never have to worry bout when to use 4x4, the vehicle takes care of it for you. I felt it controls and slips less than the trucks, only reason got rid of it for our tow vehicle is low hitch and couldn't get trailer out of our sloped driveway. Otherwise AWD are great for family car, little more gas use than a switch in or out 4x4 though.

[JOHNBIGDOG]

Because it bothers me: FWD= front wheel drive, Awd= all wheel drive, 4x4/4wd= selectable four wheel drive.

Awd, Is usually in use in some percentage all the time. One has no control over if its enabled or disabled. All 4 tires have power being sent to them. Another thing about AWD is that it is usually a one speed "transfer case."

4x4, Usually is a selectable system. Choices usually are: 2wd, 4wd high/low, auto. In 2wd no power is sent to the front drive components, if 4h is selected power is sent to all four wheels. 4L, power is sent to all four wheels but is a gear reduction. auto, 4x4 the vehicle will automatically engage 4x4 when wheel slip is detected.

In an awd vehicle if you get into that "situation" you already have power on all four wheels and the computer will decide how much power will be sent to the front/rear to help get out of that situation. This is all happening before you could even realize that your wheels are spinning.

If you have a 4x4 vehicle, they usually don't like to be engaged when there is wheel slip. It tends to do bad things. so now you have to stop, engage 4x4(H or L) and try again.

Now granted, I don't think there is one AWD vehicle that I would be throwing some super swampers on and go have some fun, but for everyday driving I think, if you like the idea and are happy with the slightly lower fuel economy, go for it.

Now Tires are a big factor, if you cant get power to the ground, it doesn't matter how many tires you have spinning.

I own a AWD Ford 500, it now has 260K on it. It takes a while to get use to the slightly different driving technique. But it is very good at plowing snow, and doughnuts/figure 8's are fun! Whistles quietly. Now If that 500 could get the fuel economy of my TDI Jetta, or if they made an AWD Jetta!

[Dave S]

or if they made an AWD Jetta!

Funny you mention this. I drove past a lady the other day in a Jetta that had a 4Motion logo on the back of the car. Keep in mind this was a Jetta from 2 body styles ago but not sure of the actual year of the car.