4 Wheel Drive Vehicles
Some information about 4 wheel drive vehicles, with emphasis on how they work and how they differ from all-wheel drive vehicles, which will help you get rid of some obvious myths about them. A must read if you are into off-roading....
You must have come across abbreviations like '4×4' or '4×2' on vehicles, especially the sports-utility type, on several occasions; but do you know what these abbreviations actually stand for? Basically, these 'numbers' represent the number of wheels and axle-ends that the particular vehicle sports. While the first digit stands for the 'number of wheels', the second denotes the 'number of axle ends' which power these wheels. In 4×4 vehicles, all the four wheels are powered by the engine. Though simple, many people are unaware of such obvious facts about four-wheel drive vehicles - and thus all those misconceptions.
Initially, the use of 4×4 vehicles was restricted to off-road terrain as most of the 4×4 in production back then were SUVs like the Hummer and Jeep Wrangler. More recently though, things have changed considerably with many auto manufacturers resorting to the production of small 4 wheel drive vehicles and 4×4 sedans. The list of 4 wheel drive vehicles is getting bigger by the day, with several auto manufacturers introducing new models based on this concept. At the Geneva Motor Show 2011, Ferrari announced its first production four-wheel drive model - the Ferrari FF, wherein the company introduced its new four-wheel drive system 4RM. According to Ferrari, it is half as light as the conventional systems and - as the company puts it, 'provides power intelligently to each of the four wheels as needed'.
At one point of time, four-wheel drive vehicles, especially the SUVs, were notorious for their poor fuel economy alongside high price. Things have changed with time, and the introduction of 4 wheel drive vehicles with decent gas mileage has made it possible for people to buy them without having to worry about the soaring fuel prices. Some of the best examples of 4 wheel drive cars with good gas mileage include the Suzuki SX4, Subaru Forester, Volkswagen Tiguan and the Cadillac STS.
The differentials send the torque from transmission to the wheels to power them, and also ensure that each wheel of the vehicle spins at a different speed when taking a turn. In a 4×4 vehicle, the transmission is hooked directly to the transfer case - from where one drive shaft turns the front axle and other to the rear axle. While the transfer case in all wheel drive vehicles help the front wheels and rear wheels rotate at different speeds, the same in four-wheel drive vehicles locks the front drive shaft to the rear drive shaft - thus providing each axle a part of the torque and powering all the four wheels. When the four-wheel drive system is not is use, the locking hubs disconnect the front differentials and driveshaft from the front wheels, and the vehicle becomes a rear-wheel drive vehicle.
As in case of any other type of automobile, even 4WD vehicles have their own pros and cons. These vehicles are best suited for low-traction conditions, and hence ideal for slippery surfaces like snow-clad roads or loose soil. The fact that you can shift from 4WD to 2WD mode means you can also have a smooth journey on normal concrete roads - where normal four-wheel drive system is likely to result in a jerky ride.
All in all, it is wise to undertake thorough research about the model you choose before making a decision because most of the four-wheel drive cars available in the market today are likely to cost you a fortune. In fact, some car experts are of the opinion that one should spend on buying a genuine 4×4 vehicle only if he is into off-roading or if he stays in area wherein snowfall is a common occurrence. If not, spending so much on buying a true 4×4 doesn't make much sense.
What are 4 Wheel Drive Vehicles?
As we mentioned earlier, a four-wheel drive vehicle is the one which has all its wheels powered by the engine - with the user having an option of resorting to this four-wheel mode or disengaging it as and when required. It is designed in such a manner that all the four wheels receive torque from the engine at the same time. Four-wheel drive is a huge advantage as it gives you a better control of the vehicle on different types of surfaces, including low-traction slippery surfaces. Because of their superior control, 4×4 vehicles are often used for off-road escapades, and that explains why you get to see a significant number of sports-utility vehicles (SUVs) in the list of 4 wheel drive vehicles.
| ----- 4×4 Vehicles ----- | |||||
| Models | |||||
| *Drag the mouse on the vehicle image below to get a better view |
|||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Designed and Scripted - Benhur Soans
Initially, the use of 4×4 vehicles was restricted to off-road terrain as most of the 4×4 in production back then were SUVs like the Hummer and Jeep Wrangler. More recently though, things have changed considerably with many auto manufacturers resorting to the production of small 4 wheel drive vehicles and 4×4 sedans. The list of 4 wheel drive vehicles is getting bigger by the day, with several auto manufacturers introducing new models based on this concept. At the Geneva Motor Show 2011, Ferrari announced its first production four-wheel drive model - the Ferrari FF, wherein the company introduced its new four-wheel drive system 4RM. According to Ferrari, it is half as light as the conventional systems and - as the company puts it, 'provides power intelligently to each of the four wheels as needed'.
At one point of time, four-wheel drive vehicles, especially the SUVs, were notorious for their poor fuel economy alongside high price. Things have changed with time, and the introduction of 4 wheel drive vehicles with decent gas mileage has made it possible for people to buy them without having to worry about the soaring fuel prices. Some of the best examples of 4 wheel drive cars with good gas mileage include the Suzuki SX4, Subaru Forester, Volkswagen Tiguan and the Cadillac STS.
Are Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles Same as All-Wheel Vehicles?
While many people assume that 4 wheel drive vehicles are same as all-wheel drive vehicles, there does exist a bit of difference between the two. Basically, four-wheel drive vehicles are grouped into two categories - 'part-time four-wheel drive vehicles' and 'full-time four-wheel drive vehicles'.
- The part-time four-wheel drive vehicles facilitate two modes - four-wheel drive mode and rear-wheel drive mode, and are most often used in low traction conditions such as off road tracks or snow covered roads.
- The full-time four-wheel drive vehicles, on the other hand, only resort to four wheel drive mode - and are used on off-road tracks as well as normal roads. These vehicles are also known as all-wheel drive vehicles as all the four wheels are powered at any given point of time.
How do 4 Wheel Drive Vehicles Work?
Like the 4RM system developed by Ferrari, most of the auto manufacturers have a four-wheel drive system of their own. A four-wheel drive system is also used in construction equipment and heavy vehicles, but it is much more powerful than the one used in SUVs or smaller automobiles. Even though these systems differ from one another, their basics remain the same. The main components of a 4 wheel drive system are the two differentials - one located between the front wheels and one between the rear wheels, a transfer case and the locking hub. Other than these components, the four wheel drives in production today also resort to technologies, such as the ABS system, for better performance and enhanced safety.
The differentials send the torque from transmission to the wheels to power them, and also ensure that each wheel of the vehicle spins at a different speed when taking a turn. In a 4×4 vehicle, the transmission is hooked directly to the transfer case - from where one drive shaft turns the front axle and other to the rear axle. While the transfer case in all wheel drive vehicles help the front wheels and rear wheels rotate at different speeds, the same in four-wheel drive vehicles locks the front drive shaft to the rear drive shaft - thus providing each axle a part of the torque and powering all the four wheels. When the four-wheel drive system is not is use, the locking hubs disconnect the front differentials and driveshaft from the front wheels, and the vehicle becomes a rear-wheel drive vehicle.
As in case of any other type of automobile, even 4WD vehicles have their own pros and cons. These vehicles are best suited for low-traction conditions, and hence ideal for slippery surfaces like snow-clad roads or loose soil. The fact that you can shift from 4WD to 2WD mode means you can also have a smooth journey on normal concrete roads - where normal four-wheel drive system is likely to result in a jerky ride.
All in all, it is wise to undertake thorough research about the model you choose before making a decision because most of the four-wheel drive cars available in the market today are likely to cost you a fortune. In fact, some car experts are of the opinion that one should spend on buying a genuine 4×4 vehicle only if he is into off-roading or if he stays in area wherein snowfall is a common occurrence. If not, spending so much on buying a true 4×4 doesn't make much sense.
Like This Article?
Follow:
Post Comment | View Comments