Question:
Difference between FWD, RWD, AWD and 4WD?
John D
2008-02-11 23:07:22 UTC
Which driver train gives you the most comfort on city driving? For example: better braking, turning etc.

Which gives the best performance (in both ideal and non-ideal driving conditions)? For example: acceleration, top speed etc.

What is the difference between AWD and 4WD? Can AWD go extreme off-roads?
Six answers:
2008-02-11 23:30:01 UTC
In terms of comfort, you will never notice any difference whatsoever. Also in terms of braking, there is zero difference, at all.



FWD and RWD have advantages and disadvantages in terms of turning. FWD can't generally hold as hard a turn as RWD (because the front tires are being asked to do all the work while the rears are just along for the ride), but is easier to control, as it is much harder to induce a spin. RWD's disadvantage can be an advantage in some situations, however, as it allows you to use the throttle to assist in steering. (This is the entire basis of drifting, in fact)



AWD is kind of the best of both worlds. Depending on the setup it can be more like FWD or more like RWD, or in extreme cases of sports cars (like the Nissan GTR) which actively distribute torque wherever it is needed, it can surpass them both simultaneously. However, it does have the disadvantage of added weight, cost, and mechanical complexity.



4WD (as distinct from AWD, which is a type of 4WD) doesn't help braking, and it can actually HURT turning.



The difference between 4WD and AWD is the type and number of differentials. AWD has 3 differentials which distribute torque to the left, to the right, and between the front and back. This allows different wheels to turn at different speeds, and get different amounts of power.



4WD usually has 2 differentials. They are usually of a type that isn't so great for cornering.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locking_differential

If a differential is locked during cornering, the inside wheels and outside wheels will be turning at different speeds, causing the wheels to skip. What it's really intended for is harsh terrain where wheels may be slipping or off the ground, confusing most other types of differentials.



Some AWD systems may be capable of serious off-roading, but it's mostly found in cars without the ground clearance for it. 4WD is simpler and more straightforward, and doesn't require electronic gadgetry to take whatever mother nature can throw at it.
2016-12-10 19:28:45 UTC
Difference Between Fwd And Awd
2016-03-14 17:55:40 UTC
FWD is the most fuel efficient, good in snow, but the worst in performance. A FWD car will oversteer and become uncontrollable once you get too much power to the front wheels. Around 200hp on a larger car is the most power a car should ever have routed through the front wheels, anything past that is overkill. RWD is less fuel efficient than FWD. A FWD car will get less than 1mpg better than a RWD with the exact same engine and weight, so while FWD is more fuel efficient, it doesn't make that much of a difference. RWD is the worst on snow so if you drive a RWD car and live in a part of the country that gets snow (like me), you will need snow tires! However, RWD is the best in performance and you can load up the rear wheels with all the power you can! AWD is significantly worse in fuel efficiency than RWD or FWD due to having to power all four wheels at the same time. Expect approximately 75% the gas mileage a FWD or RWD car would get. AWD is also the slower than RWD to accelerate but can handle powerful engines, unlike a FWD car. The same engine in a vehicle of the same weight will be somewhat slower in a AWD configuration than it would be in a RWD configuration. However the pros for AWD vehciles are pretty good. AWD is by far the best on snow and is pretty close to RWD in terms of handling while accelerating. 4x4 means that normally, two-wheels (usually the rear, but it could be the front) are powered, but if you flip a switch power will go to all four wheels. Essentially it's AWD which you can turn on or off, and is mostly used in large trucks and SUVs.
Mal
2015-08-19 06:57:09 UTC
This Site Might Help You.



RE:

Difference between FWD, RWD, AWD and 4WD?

Which driver train gives you the most comfort on city driving? For example: better braking, turning etc.



Which gives the best performance (in both ideal and non-ideal driving conditions)? For example: acceleration, top speed etc.



What is the difference between AWD and 4WD? Can AWD go extreme...
Da man
2008-02-11 23:30:30 UTC
Fwd is front wheel drive rwd is rear wheel drive awd is all wheel drive and 4wd is 4 wheel drive

if you want to drive in a city I would say rwd or awd is better

the only difference between 4wd and awd is if you have a car with more than 4 wheels

To go off road you need more than 4wd you need a land rover or a car that is raised up because porsches and other sports cars are also 4wd
Larry M
2008-02-12 00:20:03 UTC
Try an Audi for All wheel Drive (AWD)



A Toyota Camry as an example of Front Wheel Drive (FWD)



And a Mustang or Camaro for Rear Wheel Drive (RWD)



And a Jeep Wrangler for an example of 4-Wheel Drive (4WD)



They all have special purposes and qualities depending on your needs.



Take Care...


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