People still have some confusion when they encounter the terms four-wheel drive and all=wheel-drive. Since the process involves all 4 wheels of the vehicle, they think that both terms mean the same thing, and that is not true. They each work a bit differently for different purposes.
Four-wheel drive has been around the longest, and it is a term which most people are familiar. It works by using a split differential and a lower gear ratio. four-wheel drive vehicles are typically pickup trucks and larger off-road SUVs. These vehicles are used for rough terrain rides and off-road situations.
All-wheel-drive vehicles come in the varieties of sedans, crossover vehicles, and high-performance vehicles. They are going to run mainly on paved roads. An all-wheel-drive vehicle sends an equal amount of power to each tire with variable tolerance for the condition of the road at the point of each individual tire. All-wheel-drive is very capable of use in rainy, icy, and snowy conditions.
For more information, stop in and learn with our staff at Springdale Ford!