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Yesterday, I was driving in an unfamiliar remote area in my FWD sedan when I ended up on a mountain road with soft sand (thanks Google Navigation!). As it got deeper and deeper, I did a U-turn to try and go back up the road but that's when I got stuck. I tried the Drive/Reverse thing but all it did was spin and dig deeper. I dug the tires out and put it in reverse, slammed on the gas and miraculously worked. Drove "off-road" on firmer ground until I reached another road. I have to admit, I was pretty panicked since nearest paved road was 20 miles away and doubt AAA would've come.
Another time, I was headed home when my RWD vehicle couldn't handle an inch of snow and I had to abandon it on the road and walk the mile home at midnight.
I've been stuck at least 5 more times in mud, soft sand and snow. I've sometimes had to dig for hours to get the cars out but never had to call a tow truck which I've heard costs like $300 & up.
So if you were me, would you get a car with AWD or 4X4? I mean I'm not an off-roader or anything like that. I just seem to get unlucky trying unfamiliar roads or short-cuts.
If you don't drive off road, then AWD is what you're after.
4x4 is the best. It has a low range and I can turn it on/off as needed. I've owned both AWD and 4x4 vehicles in the past and present. I don't particularly care for how AWD handles in regular conditions, the RWD based 4x4 is a lot smoother and easier to maneuver.
I don't particularly care for how AWD handles in regular conditions, the RWD based 4x4 is a lot smoother and easier to maneuver.
Whatever you drove must have been damaged, because FWD based AWD is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse EZ mode for people to get in to and live with. In a blind "taste test" I highly doubt you will be able to tell the difference unless you are on something slippery and the FWD is spinning its tires. In dry conditions they act like FWD cars...with more grip.
Whatever you drove must have been damaged, because FWD based AWD is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse EZ mode for people to get in to and live with. In a blind "taste test" I highly doubt you will be able to tell the difference unless you are on something slippery and the FWD is spinning its tires. In dry conditions they act like FWD cars...with more grip.
What? Sorry, could you please put that in layman's terms, I don't quite understand what you're trying to say.
If it helps, my point was that in NORMAL, dry conditions RWD handles better than AWD. I am saying RWD because on a 4x4 vehicle, it is run in RWD when not in 4-hi or 4-low.
What? Sorry, could you please put that in layman's terms, I don't quite understand what you're trying to say.
If it helps, my point was that in NORMAL, dry conditions RWD handles better than AWD. I am saying RWD because on a 4x4 vehicle, it is run in RWD when not in 4-hi or 4-low.
You don't seem to know much of the details regarding AWD or 4x4 systems. Most modern AWD systems are setup with a RWD bias, and they only shift power to the front as needed. When not needed, they are primarily RWD.
AWD is generally a much better system than any 4x4 system I've ever encountered. It's simply more advanced in every way. There's a reason why Jeep's best "4x4" system is actually full time AWD now.
As far as handling goes... No. AWD handles better than RWD, period. This is why the Porsche 911 Turbo and Nissan GTR are so fast around a racetrack. It's why the Porsche 918 is faster around a race track than the higher powered and lighter weight McLaren P1 and Ferrari LaFerrari.
You don't seem to know much of the details regarding AWD or 4x4 systems. Most modern AWD systems are setup with a RWD bias, and they only shift power to the front as needed. When not needed, they are primarily RWD.
AWD is generally a much better system than any 4x4 system I've ever encountered. It's simply more advanced in every way. There's a reason why Jeep's best "4x4" system is actually full time AWD now.
As far as handling goes... No. AWD handles better than RWD, period. This is why the Porsche 911 Turbo and Nissan GTR are so fast around a racetrack. It's why the Porsche 918 is faster around a race track than the higher powered and lighter weight McLaren P1 and Ferrari LaFerrari.
I'm not the one who said it was, and I wouldn't make a statement like that without qualifiers, but the advantage is that it can put the most power to the wheels that aren't slipping and take it from those that are. AWD is usually easier to drive, as the vehicle makes the decisions for the driver.
There are full time AWD systems that also incorporate a 2 spd transfer case with HI/LO modes, the Porsche Cayenne and some Jeep Grand Cherokees have this system. Both are better than a 4x4.
It depends on what your primary use is, but for most people (very little planned off road), AWD is vastly superior. For hard-core off roaders, 4WD is superior. The ultimate is selectable AWD/4WD/2WD.
My truck has selectable AWD/4WD Lo/4WD Hi and I have never encountered a situation where AWD didn't work just fine. I've never found the need to use 4WD, even in deep snow.
I've also owned trucks with selectable 2WD/4WD Lo/4WD Hi. The problem with 4WD is that the center differential doesn't slip, so if you have 4WD and a limited slip rear differential, the rear tires will skip during turns. AWD drive doesn't have this issue, even with a rear limited slip differential, because torque is applied to where it is needed - not forced to the front and rear as in 4WD.
AWD is great, even if you never go off road. Driving in rain is much less treacherous and, if you have a high HP car, controlling wheel spin under hard acceleration is much easier.
Actually it depends on the type of offroading, Stadium trucks don't need a selectable t-case, niether do unlimited buggies, or monster trucks, most 4wd classed vehicles like say the Trophy Trucks of baja races, are actually awd.
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