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These days, finding a small SUV with traditional 4WD is basically impossible. AWD is great for on road performance in slick conditions, but for those of us who venture off of the pavement once in a while it's not that useful. In loose sand, mud, gravel, etc...AWD systems get confused and think that you're spinning out of control and as a result don't perform well because it's just not what they're designed to do. What I'm wondering is, in the age of being able to manipulate computer controlled systems in a vehicle via a laptop and and OBDII port connection, would it be possible to make changes (not necessarily permanent) to the way an AWD system operates?
For example, if I'm going to take my small SUV surf fishing, could I program my AWD to function like a 4WD system with open differentials front and rear, or better yet, lock the rear differential and keep the front open? Then if I really needed it for climbing a hill or something similar, lock both differentials, at least until getting to the top, and then opening the front to make turning easier. Just wondering if there are any software platforms out there able to do this-it would certainly make something like an old Ford Escape or Toyota Highlander more fun to play around with.
Depends on the AWD system, and how it works. One cannot necessarily "hack" a mechanical system. Something such as the system on a Dodge Charger can be turned on and off electronically, but one need not hack the computer to do it. Just turn off TC.
Why not just find a small SUV with a more off road capable AWD system to suit your needs. Subarus have an all time AWD system which constantly splits power front and rear and is not reactionary.
The Jeep Cherokee can be had with a few systems, including one with an active 4x4 system, low range, and rear locker.
Any computer control system can be modified... But there will be an army of vehicle manufacturing company lawyers standing between you and access to that computer code and the manufacturer's technical people who know how it can be modified.
That is because the vehicle manufacturer is held responsible for anything which goes wrong with "their" vehicle.
The way it works is you modify something, that causes the car to get into an accident, then the vehicle manufacturer is held responsible.
In this day and age where they can’t figure out how turn off the check engine light I doubt you’d find a mechanic to hack your awd. And what do you mean by awd getting “confused”? I thought if you lose traction it behaves like 4wd.
Just get something with real 4x4, you can't just hack a driveline with a computer, you might be able to screw with the programing, but I doubt it would make a difference since awd is always active, and much better performance than a 4wd with open diffs. One of the real problems is not all awd systems are equal, most aren't performance systems, thus aren't always the best offroad, and it seems like more and more are going with a viscus coupling tcase, versus a torsen unit, or chain unit. For what you want to do with it, you need to find a "suv" that does not have a V/C, or is a performance model, or get a real 4wd.
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On our 2014 Escape the 4WD senses the slippage and applies the power to the front and/or back as needed. Where we run into problems with sand, deep snow or mud is not the AWD system but the traction control, which can be turned off using one of the screens on the dash and steering wheel controls. Traction control uses the brakes to limit spin, with it off you still have the AWD working but it doesn't get confused by the slipping/spinning. I have tried it in mild mud and it worked just like a normal 4WD such as on my Ranger.
AWD is NOT four wheel drive, unless it has the capability of locking the differential in the transfer case.
Even then, it is not TRUE four wheel drive unless it has locking differentials in both front and rear axles.
If you want TRUE four wheel drive, I recommend the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. It comes stock with locking differentials front and rear. With the transfer case in LOW range, and both differentials locked, you have REAL TRUE four wheel drive!
Of course, the aftermarket parts are readily available to put lockers in nearly any AWD or 4X4 vehicle, and the transfer case can always be changed to convert AWD to 4WD.
All it takes is money.
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