The four-wheel drive characteristic generally refers to vehicles with a full-time four-wheel drive system, and this can be an extremely useful feature in passenger cars, trucks and SUVs. The new models give drivers more all-wheel drive options than ever before, but it's important to understand if you really need an all-wheel drive vehicle?
Thrust
The biggest plus of all-wheel drive systems is their superior grip. Because all four wheels are capable of propelling the car forward, it remains steerable even if one or two wheels lose traction due to slippery surfaces such as ice, snow or mud.
Performance
Performance and handling is an added incentive to opt for an all-wheel drive vehicle. Sports cars benefit from extra traction even on dry surfaces to achieve shorter acceleration times. In these cases, the four-wheel drive helps transfer more engine power to the road. Steering is also improved in all four-wheel drive vehicles.
Weight distribution
Part of the improved performance of the AWD systems comes from improved weight distribution. Additional components needed to transfer power to the rear wheels add weight to the rear. This balances out the weight of the engine, which makes the car heavier at the front. This weight distribution provides more consistent performance and allows engineers to evenly distribute the vehicle weight load to the frame.
Ideal for off-road
Many off-road trucks and SUVs are equipped with an all-wheel drive system. This allows them to drive over uneven terrain, where one or more wheels can move away from the road surface, which eliminates the possibility of traction.
The vehicle can continue to move as long as there is sufficient contact between the road surface and the other drive wheels. 4WD vehicles are capable of driving on muddy surfaces or in shallow water.
Minuses
There are several downsides to the AWD system that should also be considered. Since power is channeled to all four wheels, 4WD loses out in terms of fuel efficiency.
All wheels of the all-wheel drive system are also more expensive to manufacture and manufacture, which makes these vehicles more expensive in comparison with analogues. Finally, four-wheel drive can lead to a false sense of safety and encourage dangerous driving in extreme conditions.
