Did you know that over half of the vehicles sold in the United States nowadays are four wheel drive? While all wheel drive and four wheel drive might seem similar, they have some very important differences. With those differences come pros and cons that will help you determine which is a better fit for your needs.
This is especially true in places that see severe weather like lots of rain and snow, where all wheel drive combined with different types of tires makes a huge difference. There is often a lot of confusion surrounding the differences between all wheel drive cars and four wheel drive cars.
The good news is that you’ve come to the right place to learn about those differences, as well as the pros and the cons of each. Continue reading to learn more.
What Is All Wheel Drive?
If you guessed that all wheel drive means that all of the wheels have power going to them, you’ve guessed correctly. All wheel drive cars work by having the engine send power to all four wheels of the vehicle instead of just the rear two wheels or the front two wheels.
The process of sending the power to all four wheels is completed automatically with the help of a computer that is installed inside of your vehicle. It is safe to say that all wheel drive is one of the safest ways to power and propel a vehicle, no matter the weather or the types of car tires you’re using.
Nowadays, many cars and crossovers come directly from the factory equipped with all wheel drive. There are a number of pros that come with purchasing a vehicle equipped with all wheel drive. There are also some cons that you should know and be aware of.
Pros of All Wheel Drive
One of the big reasons that all wheel drive is so popular among drivers is that it requires no input from the driver themselves. This is because of the computer that the manufacturer installed in the vehicle to control the all wheel drive powertrain in the vehicle.
Another big plus that you’ll experience with an all wheel drive vehicle is that it will adapt to road conditions. It doesn’t matter if the road is wet from a rainstorm or snowy and slick during the winter. The all wheel drive vehicle will adapt to the conditions and automatically know to send more or less power to any particular wheel.
It is also great for operating on a variety of road types and car tires, like those at Ozzytyres.com.au. All wheel drive is suitable for driving slow in an urban or neighborhood setting, but it is also great for operating the vehicle at high speeds on the freeway. This makes it a great choice for a daily driver.
For people who want a sportier car, all wheel drive is a wonderful option. It is the main feature in fun vehicles that are rally-inspired like the Subaru WRX as well as luxury sports cars like the Nissan GT-R. These vehicles handle well and provide improved traction for safe driving.
Cons of All Wheel Drive
The biggest con that comes with choosing an all wheel drive vehicle is that they don’t tend to get the most life out of the car wheels and tires you put on them. This is because all four wheels receive power from the engine, wearing them down evenly.
All wheel drive vehicles also tend to get worse gas mileage. This is because all wheel drive systems weigh more than rear wheel or front wheel drive systems. They’re also more limited off-road when compared to vehicles with four wheel drive.
In addition to worse gas mileage and tire lifespan, you’ll also spend more money in order to purchase the vehicle since the all wheel drive system is complex and costs more money to install during the manufacturing process.
What Is Four Wheel Drive?
Vehicles that have four wheel drive are vehicles that have the ability to send power to all four wheels, but they do so using different mechanical systems. Four wheel drive vehicles require the driver to use a mechanical lever as a way to determine which wheels on the vehicle receive power from the engine.
Because of the higher degree of control for the driver, four wheel drive vehicles are a great choice for navigating rough roads or taking your vehicle off-road. It is perfect for obstacles like mud and rough, mountainous terrain.
It is also a great choice for poor weather. If one wheel gets stuck, you’re able to divert power to the other three wheels as a way to get the fourth wheel unstuck.
Pros of Four Wheel Drive
Four wheel drive also brings a lot of benefits to the table. It is a great option for people who want or need a vehicle with high ground clearance. Four wheel drive vehicles provide much greater ground clearance than their all wheel drive counterparts.
They also provide the benefit of being able to engage or disengage the four wheel drive depending on the terrain that you’re driving on. When you choose to disengage the four wheel drive, it turns the vehicle into a rear wheel drive vehicle with power going to the back two wheels.
Cons of Four Wheel Drive
The biggest drawback of a four wheel drive vehicle is that the four wheel drive setting needs to be disengaged to drive on pavement or concrete without any issues. This is inconvenient if you spend a lot of your time using your vehicle as your daily driver.
It also isn’t the best for all driving conditions. It is a great choice for snowy weather and off-road conditions, but it is difficult as an everyday driver. You also shouldn’t expect the best gas mileage with a four wheel drive vehicle. They weigh more and when four wheel drive is engaged they use more fuel.
Get Your All Wheel Drive Vehicle Today
There aren’t many more popular vehicles nowadays than all wheel drive vehicles, and for good reason. They provide great handling and safety. Unlike four wheel drive vehicles, they’re easy to handle on pavement and they don’t require any user input in order to get the best traction.
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