Vans / 4x4-Parts
Advertising
What is 4x4, 4x2, Part-Time 4WD and Full-Time AWD?
It is important to know that 4 x 4 Automobiles have wheels that rotate at the same speed. When any of the wheels of the vehicle partially or completely lose traction with the road surface, the speed of that wheel is greater than the wheels that have more grip.
On vehicles that are powered 4 x 4 mode, the front and rear axles are synchronized so that there is always at least one wheel on each axle drive which can be effectively run by the engine power. 4 x 2 (2WD) describes the vehicle has two driving wheels.
A 4x2 vehicle only has two wheels that propel the car. The drive wheels may be the front wheels, but usually are the rear wheels. Part-Time 4WD refers to vehicles with a four-wheel drive system which may include two speed options.
Part-Time 4WD systems include a 2WD mode for use on asphalt, concrete or other hard surfaces. 4WD mode is intended to be used in specific situations where the vehicle needs extra traction. Full-Time 4WD system refers to the four-wheel drive that is used all the time on all surfaces.
Full-time four-wheel drive typically has the option to work part-time so that they can be switched to 2WD while the car is on asphalt or cement. Full-Time 4WD systems do not always have strong velocity variations. Automatic AWD (A4WD), automatically determines the drive mode needed and switches between them when you need it.
This is achieved with sensors that sense the different wheel speeds and if necessary send a signal to the computer that operates the 4WD system. Shift Fly 4WD systems allows the driver to manually switch from 2WD to 4WD, without stopping first. These systems usually have a limit on the speed at which they can be switched. All-Wheel Drive (AWD) ia a definition of a type of full-time 4WD system, which will supply power to all four wheels. Each system has a different purpose, cost and power.