Can someone tell me whats the difference (if there is) between the following terms:
AWD
4WD
4X4
Real Time
...and any other commonly used terms.
Is one better than the other?
What system does the element use?

Search, and you will find that this is an extensively discussed topic--in these forums and all over the Web.

AWd- Like traction control not really for off roading... It only sends like 30 or 40 % of power to rear wheels

4wd & 4x4- the same thing just worded different.. Made for the dirt, snow water and mudd :)

...thats exactly what I am trying to avoid doing! :twisted:

??????? what a search????

yes a search!
typing...reading...typing some more....and even reading more! :x
Insanity! :shock:

??????? what a search????
Yeah, C'mon Thee, (may I call you Thee?) this is America, the land of laziness and instant gratification. And you call yourself a consumer...

Full time four wheel drive (not to be confused with: part time 4WD ) is a system that powers all four wheels at all times. Each tire gets about 25% of the available torque when the ground is level with a consistant surface. Driver has a choice of a "4-high" (that's your every day setting) and "4-low".

When "4-low" is selected the wheels receive substancially more torque (on a Grand Cherokee its 2.72 times more) than in "4-high" - at the same time the vehicle moves at substancially slower speeds (2.72 times slower on J GC).

The low setting is an advantage for drivers who need to tow and maneuver a heavy trailer etc and for drivers who at one point or another may want to negotiate difficult off-road terrain.


All wheel drive is a system that powers all four wheels of a vehicle at all times as well. Difference to full time 4WD is that a "4-low" setting is not available. Due to the lack of "low range" AWD vehicles are much less capable in off-road settings than 4WD vehicles.


Recently some new "automatic" AWD systems have emerged. Fancy names like "Real Time 4WD" are hiding the fact that they are essentially sophisticated 2WD systems. They should be called part time AWD systems. They cannot claim the same (minimal) safety and traction advantages of full time 4WD. They are much less capable in off-road settings than full time AWD systems and inferior to full time 4WD. However, automatic AWD is becoming more and more sophisticated and offers pretty much everything consumers expect for everyday (pavement) driving.

Here is how they work: During traction loss on the driven axle (could be front or rear) a fully automatic system (hydraulic, mechanical or electronic) routes torque to the axle with traction. This means you have to completely lose traction in 2WD on your driven axle first and then the other axle will take over and try to keep the car moving. So, for a moment you have 4WD (AWD). Doesn't mean much because only two wheels have traction. Once the driven axle regains traction and both axles rotate at the same speed again, the system moves back to 2WD.

HardWired71 - Thanks for your detailed answer!

Anytime.

Not to be a pain though, but seriously, if you need info from the boards, the search button will save the time of making a new thread and typing a question out. It will also help everyone from responding to the SAME question asked HUNDREDS of times.

Check this link...it should explain it all...

Posting and you (http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/posting.php)

A good magazine article describing various systems (the original link was on the off-road section of hondaelement.org)
Four-Wheel Drive
Do you have it, know it, need it? Truck Trends 2002

http://www.trucktrend.com/features/tech/163_0206_4x4/

[QUOTE=HardWired71]
Recently some new "automatic" AWD systems have emerged. Fancy names like "Real Time 4WD" are hiding the fact that they are essentially sophisticated 2WD systems. They should be called part time AWD systems. They cannot claim the same (minimal) safety and traction advantages of full time 4WD. They are much less capable in off-road settings than full time AWD systems and inferior to full time 4WD. ...QUOTE]

As an owner and driver of both a RAV4 with an AWD system and an Element with RT4WD I question the safety and traction advantages of the AWD. Both systems are reactive - shifting power between front and rear drive shafts based on slippage. The essential difference is that the RAV4 normally distributes power 50-50, the Element 100-0. Others use a split like 90-10 or 80-20 (such as the Santa Fe). None is inherently safer.

While I almost never get wheel spin with the RAV4 on dry pavement (in contrast to the Element). However in snow, I have found the Element to be more stable. Since its stability is as evident while braking while accelerating, its suspension, weight distribution and steering design are also important.

paulj

Actually I did! :)
The different parts of my question were answered quite differently post-to-post. :shock:
The question warranted asking again. :grin:
The "lazy" part was just to yank rumblerdan's chain :lol: