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4WD: Differential description

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#23 ·
Easy way is check for the sunroof. Prior to 2009's, all E's with a sunroof are 4WD.



 
#26 ·
How AWD works

New owner of 2010 Silver EX AWD.

From the Honda site: The Real Time™ 4WD system engages when slippage is detected.

Can the AWD be turned on manually, switch, button, etc?
Is it ok to drive this car on the beach on loose sands?

I couldn't find any information about this in the owner manual.

Thanks,
 
#27 ·
It's automatic- a hydraulic system (as opposed to electronic sensors). No switches.

It's OK to drive on the sand IF you invite all of us along for the ride!!!!!:)
 
#30 ·
Is there any indicator light that switches on when your car has been switched over to AWD? I couldn't find one in the manual, and I don't see how I would know if I was in 2wd or 4wd while driving.
 
#31 ·
#32 ·
Alberta, Canada - SNOWY CONDITIONS and traction!

After a number of years of driving Mercedes-Benz G-wagens as my winter vehicles - G500 & G55 AMG (still driving one of them), I have been spoiled to say the least when it comes to traction; stability and yaddah yaddah on differentials.

Well, this summer I needed a vehicle to: run-about; and use as something practical for some home renovations projects and yet satisfy the needs of being fuel efficient without being a pick up truck. I happen to stumble upon a used 2006 Honda Element; 5-speed manual; and All-Wheel-Drive. Perfect. But my initial reaction I said to myself "... it reminds me of my G-wagen cuz of its square design and its a bit oddly!".

So the Honda dealership offered me a test drive and off into the sunset I went! A block later, I headed back to the dealership and we consummated a deal within a couple of hours, tahdah, I became an Element owner! Truth be told, what sold me was the funny look of the E; utilitarian-ness of the whole unit and it just simply caught my attention.

To date, I've had the E for about 5 months and between my home renovations; trips to the local dump; lumber; and just simply running errands on a daily basis, I gotta say the E has been great.

Anyhow, the last few days here in Alberta...we've had a fair bit of snow accumulation and so I parked the other vehicle, and been driving the E in and around the city... and again, it's been great given the deep snow and drifts coming across the snow covered highways and city roads. Yes, my starts have been in 2nd-gear due to the slippery road conditions, and I have to say it's not screaming away at the lights trying to keep up to all the ALBERTA-MEAT-HEAD-FORD F350/GMC DUELLIE drivers that mash the gas/diesel pedal everytime the lights turn green, but it's decent traction and tracks very competently with the Nokian Winters that I recently put on. In fact, its a blast coming out of corners and no skid-control kicking in and out. Reminds me of the old days of "drifting" (LOL) but no electronic-garble of ESP/DSC skid-control trying to "control" you.

That being said, the only complaint I do have, the "REAL TIME 4WD" isn't truly "Real". More like it's "part-time", and you do experience some typical front-wheel drive slippage and ever-so-slight torque-steer, but as soon as that occurs; the rear-wheels eventually kick in and away you go. Other than that... I'm pretty happy I was able to stumble across this find to satisfy my needs and given Honda's reputation for RELIABLITY and VALUE...I hope it won't disappoint me.

Cheers and happy driving to all with an Ellie!

Mini-G
(Alberta, Canada)
 
#34 ·
Probably the same as the front. When the rear wheels turn at the same rate as the front, the RT4WD clutch pack is open. Technically it is when the rear drive shaft has the same RPMs as the center shaft of the rear diff.

I suppose they could put a step up or down in the transfer case so the rear drive shaft has a different rpm than the front, but that would require a matching step in the rear diff. I'd have to do some math to figure out whether it would possible to apply a different torque to the rear wheels this way. I doubt if Honda attempts that.
 
#35 ·
The B series CRV REAR FD is LOOOONG(2.5xx:1) as well as the old wagovan which is not far off of that.

I believe it has to do with the gearing in the transfer case.

Here is what I am thinking...

Run the AWD tranny, sans front driveshafts, with the rear end of another manufacturer (thinking R200 diff with all of the available FD options), mated by a custom driveshaft(Element front with the flange for whatever rear diff), and axles(new diff's inners with element outers). I know AWD would be great, but the simplicity of this is tenfold making the element turn all four wheels equally(which would be the only reason I would swap over), since you do not have to match front and rear gearing.

If the gearing is off(even .004 that is the difference between the wagovan rear and the crv rear) it can cause serious wear and harmonics issues, not to mention fry the clutch pack(or viscous diff like in the wagovan 4WD) due to overheating, as it is not intended to work like that.

This being said, I think this idea is SUPER doable, and am trying to plan this for the summer next year. I just need to find out the element rear gearing to match to the transfer case, otherwise I will just be whizzing in the wind figuring out.:|

This way, I can use another differential so I can have a limited slip in the rear, otherwise RWD is not anywhere near worth it.

P.S. anyone to tell me the ratio can get a before and after ride to "bootie dyno" the difference(location dependent)
 
#36 ·
difference between 4WD and real time AWD

I've noticed that some E models have emblems that say "4WD" and some have stickers on the back window that say "realtime AWD" Are the 2 the same system w/ 2 names, or is the 4WD model a real 4WD?
 
Discussion starter · #37 ·
Same system....different tags.
 
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#40 · (Edited)
Question? If this system is sealed, Why would i be getting a small stain in my garage directly under the Differential ? Bad seal? cracked? Thanks for any Help? This is on a 2006 EX-p at 148052 miles Recently Bought used.
 
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