Are AWD vehicles superior to FWD?

by  |  On May 29th, 2016  |  In Tips & Guides

For many new car buyers, an important decision is whether to go Front Wheel Drive (FWD) or All Wheel Drive (AWD). Especially if you live in a climate that experiences a lot of snowfall during the winter, you will see a lot of AWD vehicles on the road. Is AWD the preferred drivetrain if weather conditions tend to be poor in the winter? Let’s look at the difference between the two systems. Bottom line: both can be fine in the winter but differences in capability do exist. Let’s start with FWD systems.

AWD vehicles

Image by RL GNZLZ

FWD refers to the fact that only the front 2 wheels are driven. As it turns out that’s not really the case as most 2WD vehicles are actually 1WD. What? With a normal differential gear set, when it’s slippery, a single wheel transfers power from the differential to the road. If you’ve ever been stuck in the snow with an AWD car, you know what happens; when you apply the gas, one tire spins and the other doesn’t. To make a vehicle a true 2WD with both wheels powered during slippery conditions, a limited slip differential is required. Limited slip differentials are special differentials that are designed so that both wheels receive power equally. If you live in slippery climates, and you decide on a FWD, try and get one with a limited slip differential.

Before we move on to the AWD systems, we should look at what 4WD vehicles are all about. First, there are different types of 4WD vehicles. “Part-time 4WD” refers to one of the most commonly used 4WD systems. It employs transfer case which routes power equally to front and rear differentials. When engaged, both sets of front and rear wheels turn at the same rate of speed. This is great for some work vehicles, such as plow trucks and such. The problem the service department at Lynch Chevrolet of Mukwonago, WI, a full service Chevrolet dealer, tells us is that with part-time 4WD systems, they should not be engaged when driving at highway speeds. “Full-time 4WD” systems, on the other hand, use three sets of differentials, front, rear and center, to allow the speed of individual wheels to vary regardless of speed. Vehicles equipped with full-time 4WD can operate in the 4WD mode at all times and can be driven at highway speeds.

Then there are the All-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles. AWD vehicles are very popular and the system is offered on most SUVs today. The way AWD works is that power is sent to any or all wheels and is controlled by a series of electronic sensors that detect wheel slippage. When the system detects a wheel spinning, an electronic differential applies power to that wheel. Basically an AWD system is a really smart 4WD system that constantly monitors wheels for slippage and applies power when needed. AWD vehicles are excellent in the snow or when the conditions are slippery.

The decision of FWD vs AWD isn’t as easy as it seems. It really depends on the confidence you have in the system and the weather conditions where you live. Many prefer the simplicity of FWD (with a limited slip differential) over AWD and the fact that FWD systems are usually easier on gas and cheaper to buy. For others, AWD is the way to go due to its raw capability when the weather gets bad.

I love to share business and lifestyle content with all related communities. With a focus on content marketing and branding, I hope to inspire you to improve the performance of your online business. Follow me at Twitter @built4kill2004

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

© Copyrights 2009-2016 Today Auto News - All Rights Reserved

Theme by Templates Craze