In this article we will take a quicker look at each of the vehicle drivetrain and give you a better understanding of what each means, and ultimately what the benefits are of each. If you are someone who needs better off-road traction, of if you are just an everyday commuter, what option is best?
Two-Wheel-Drive
The first drive system that we will dive into will be the more regularly popular 2WD system. What two-wheel-drive ultimately means is the engine power is distributed through just two of the vehicles tires, most of the time this is distributed to the front wheels, which defines the vehicle as being FWD or front-wheel-drive. This is the type of drive system that we see in most sedans that are on the road today.
On the flip side of this, we have the rear-wheel-drive vehicles, which can be found on some pickup trucks and SUVs, as well as some higher performance oriented cars. This system was very popular with many of the older muscle cars from years ago.
The upside of front-wheel-drive is the fact your engine is placing a great amount of weight on your front tires, and if you couple that with the power being sent to the front, you have better traction, and will move forward with a bit more ease than rear-wheel.
All-Wheel-Drive
AWD unlike 2WD actually distributes power to all four wheels of a vehicle. This requires a lot more in terms of engine performance to make up for this increase power and distribution. The major upside to having AWD on your vehicle is if you run into a random rain storm or even wintry mix, your vehicle has all four wheels moving together, and all four are proving great traction. Most SUVs sold at your local dealer such as York Chrysler Dodge Jeep, have dozens of these AWD vehicles in stock. This has quickly become a very popular option for many car owners who experience snowy winter months.
Four-Wheel-Drive
There is one major difference between 4WD and AWD, and that is the fact that 4WD is designed for more off-road capabilities, and have a high and low gear range to help your truck or SUV to adjust to the change in terrain.
Vehicles that most commonly have 4WD are usually Jeep Wranglers, and pickup trucks.
Beyond the facts listed above, the major question now arises; what option best fits your needs?
This is really a question that only you can answer. If you live in a place that deals with a lot of snowfall, and wintry conditions, it may be best to go with a vehicle that has either AWD or 4WD, and if you don’t plan to use the 4WD for off-roading or using a truck for plowing or labor intensive jobs, then a AWD SUV or sedan should do the job.