Recently during the record-breaking winter snow storm that hit the east coast, I became one of those stranded travelers in a small regional New York airport. As a last resort, I decided to take the Amtrak to Wilmington, DE where my parents were waiting to pick me up.
It had snowed 18 inches that day and the roads were in terrible condition. As we passed by stranded cars off the highway, my dad raved about his fantastic four-wheel drive (4WD) SUV and told me that 4WD was a must-have for anyone living in an area with harsh winter weather.
But what is 4WD and how exactly does it work? For years I had assumed it was a feature on heavy duty cars designed for those who liked off-road driving and not something that the everyday driver needed. But after further research, I found that I was misguided.
Many people assume four-wheel drive means all four wheels are driven at the same time. But this isn’t necessarily true.
Whether you have 4WD or not, knowing information like how exactly 4WD works and when to use it is important, especially when there’s a blizzard or if you’re considering purchasing a new car.
So here are 5 FAQs about four-wheel drive:
1. What is four-wheel drive?
Four-wheel drive allows all four wheels to receive power from the engine simultaneously. 4WD is usually meant for use only in low-traction conditions such as off-road, snow or ice.
2. How does 4WD work?
Cars have two axles, one for the front set of tires and another for the rear tires. When four-wheel drive mode is engaged, at least one wheel on each axle can be driven because the front and rear axles are locked. This means that when driving in dangerous road conditions, drivers with 4WD cars have more traction and control of their cars.
3. What does 4×4 mean?
4×4 describes a vehicle with four-wheel drive. The first figure refers to the number of wheels and the second figure refers to the number of wheels that engine power is transmitted to. So 4×2 means that the car has four wheels but engine power is only transmitted to two wheels.
4. What is all-wheel drive?
Some cars are equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD), also known as full-time four-wheel drive. Unlike 4WD, AWD is designed to function in all conditions and generally cannot be switched off
5. Should I buy a 4×4 car?
It depends. If you live in an area with mild winters and don’t do any off-road driving, then a 4×4 is by no means necessary. While it can definitely be convenient to have the option of using 4WD, you should keep in mind that 4×4 cars are sometimes more expensive. However, if you live in an area with severe weather, you should consider purchasing a vehicle with four-wheel drive capability. It might be a good idea to discuss this option with your trusted auto mechanic before you make a decision.
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