4-Wheel Drive vs. All-Wheel Drive

On the surface, it would seem like 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are just two different ways to describe the same thing. Since vehicles have four wheels, wouldn’t calling the system “all-wheel drive” mean that power is going to all four wheels? While that’s partially true, it doesn’t quite tell the whole story. In the end, 4-wheel and all-wheel are not the same things, and we’ll explain the difference below.

What is 4-Wheel Drive?
Let’s get started by accurately explaining what is meant by the term “4-wheel drive”. As the name suggests, 4-wheel drive provides a vehicle with the ability to send power to each of the four wheels. Rather than just being rear-wheel drive or front-wheel drive – where power is only set to two of the wheels to move the vehicle forward – a 4-wheel drive vehicle is able to distribute power all the way around.

What’s important to note here is that a 4-wheel drive vehicle can send power to all four wheels, but that is not the default setting. When driving on paved roads in good conditions, the vehicle should be in its standard configuration (which is likely front-wheel drive). Then, if the roads get snowy or icy, or if you head off-road, 4-wheel drive can be engaged to take advantage of the added traction it can offer. Not only should you not need to engage 4-wheel drive when on pavement in good conditions, but doing so can actually be harmful to your vehicle and its tires. Only turn 4-wheel drive on when you are facing slippery conditions on pavement or when you have left the pavement entirely.

What is All-Wheel Drive?
In some ways, all-wheel drive is a more advanced version of 4-wheel drive. Rather than relying on driver input to change the settings of the drivetrain, all-wheel drive is a system that runs automatically in the background. As the vehicle moves along, the onboard computer will determine which wheels should get the power that the engine is creating. This can not only lead to better grip on the road, but it can also have benefits in terms of handling through corners. All-wheel drive has become more and more common on cars and small SUVs and it is a nice feature to have for many situations.

It is not the same thing as having 4-wheel drive, however. When facing seriously slick conditions, an all-wheel drive system (depending on the details of that system) may not be able to provide the kind of grip that is offered via 4-wheel drive. This is why trucks and other vehicles that are more likely to explore off-road areas are typically built with 4-wheel drive rather than an all-wheel drive system.

Do Some Reading
For owners of any vehicle with one of these two systems, it’s a good idea to take a moment to read the owner’s manual and understand how the system works and what options the driver has to make adjustments. A 4-wheel drive vehicle will typically have a couple of different options – such as low-range and high-range 4-wheel modes – and you might even have some control over how the all-wheel drive functions in that type of vehicle. Just a little bit of knowledge in this area can go a long way toward helping you make the right decisions on the road.

Making a Smart Choice
If you are in the process of shopping for a new or used vehicle, you might be trying to decide whether all-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive is better for your lifestyle. Or, if you need these features at all – perhaps a standard front-wheel drive vehicle will serve you just fine. As you get ready to shop, keep the points listed below in mind –
• Will you turn 4-wheel drive on? As mentioned above, 4-wheel drive is a system that you are only going to engage in certain situations. Is it likely that you will ever encounter those circumstances? If you don’t drive off-road and you rarely decide to venture out in snowy conditions, 4-wheel drive might not be necessary. And, since it comes with some downsides such as potentially reduced fuel economy and low ride quality, you may want to avoid it unless it will play a beneficial role in your driving experience.
• All-wheel drive has fewer downsides. If you find a vehicle you like that has all-wheel drive, you should feel free to consider it even if you weren’t necessarily looking for that feature when you set out to shop. There are simply fewer drawbacks or compromises to make with all-wheel drive as compared to 4-wheel drive. Yes, you might not get quite as good of gas mileage with an all-wheel drive system as you could with 2-wheel drive, but the difference should be minimal. And, since the all-wheel drive system is used in regular driving conditions, you’ll be benefitting from it along the way.
• Consider the costs. All other things being equal, you will likely pay a little more for a vehicle than has all-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive as compared to one that doesn’t. That’s okay, and it could prove to be a great investment, but it’s a point to be aware of as you shop. If your primary goal is just to keep the cost of your purchase down while getting a vehicle that can serve you well day after day, also look at front-wheel drive vehicles that meet your other shopping criteria.

Having the ability to get power to all four of your vehicle’s wheels can go a long way in the difficult winter conditions that are often experienced here in Idaho. While both 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive can get the job done, one may be better than the other in your situation. If you are in the market for a new vehicle and trying to decide which style is best for your needs, turn to the team at Taylor & Sons Chevrolet for help. We’ll be glad to offer our input and help you locate the perfect vehicle. Let’s get started today!

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