The Difference Between 4WD, AWD, and 2WD (Drivetrain Comparison)
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- Опубліковано 25 лип 2024
- All-wheel drive, 2-wheel drive, and 4-wheel drive are common automotive terms, but which one is better and how do they function? Knowing the positives and negatives of 2WD, 4WD, and AWD can help you make more informed decisions about the purchase of a vehicle that fits your specific needs in the future, and can equip you with knowledge you may not yet have to make an informed decision or better understand your own vehicle. This educational video explains the differences, benefits, and general functional characteristics of two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive vehicles to help you improve your automotive knowledge.
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0:00 Welcome Back
0:51 Two-Wheel Drive
1:42 Four-Wheel Drive
2:42 All-Wheel Drive
3:35 2WD vs AWD
4:08 Cons of AWD
4:58 AWD vs 4WD
5:42 Recap
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Whether you are researching a new car or learning about your own, knowing the differences and similarities between cars with AWD, 2WD, and 4WD can help you understand more about vehicle drivetrains. This informational video will explain the nuances of all types of drivetrains, and will even delve into the strengths and weaknesses of two-wheel drive vs all-wheel drive vs four-wheel drive vehicles. For the right replacement parts or tools to repair your 2WD, 4WD, or AWD car, stop by your local O’Reilly Auto Parts store or shop online to simplify your next repair.
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Transcript:
I was just looking at a study that said when people are going to purchase a new vehicle, over sixty percent of them will choose a four-wheel or all-wheel drive option, if it’s available. And in colder states with snowy winters, that number is up over ninety percent.
So the popularity of the four-wheel and all-wheel drive is obvious, but-why? Let’s start by taking a basic look at all the options:
I’ll start with two-wheel drive. If you don’t know anything about it, you should know two-wheel drives are powered by either the rear wheels or the front wheels of the vehicle. You’ve probably heard the terms “rear-wheel drive” and “front-wheel drive”, and those are the two types of two-wheel drive.
A lot of rear-wheel drives are gonna be muscle cars or pickup trucks. They don’t get around quite as well in winter road conditions. They tend to fishtail, which is why it helps to put weight in the back of one if conditions are snowy or icy. These vehicles perform much better under normal driving conditions.
On the other hand, front-wheel drives get around better in winter weather AND get better gas mileage, because the engine is usually smaller and directly over the wheels that power the vehicle. Front-wheel drive is what you’ll find in a lot of family vehicles, where performance isn’t as important as fuel economy and better handling when road conditions are less than ideal.
The next category is four-wheel drives. A four-wheel drive vehicle powers all four wheels, but it’ll typically be two-wheel drive UNTIL the four-wheel drive is manually engaged by a switch, a lever or shifter. In fact, driving in normal conditions with four-wheel drive engaged can actually cause problems. A lot of four-wheel drives have two settings: a low gear for things like off-roading or pulling boats out of water, and a high gear for driving on snowpack or other slick road conditions.
Now, most people, when they think of four-wheel drives, think of huge trucks, SUVs or off-road vehicles with big, knobby tires and high ground clearance. And that’s because four-wheel drive IS designed for the most extreme conditions and off-road driving.
Four-wheel drive can also come in handy if you ARE trying to pull a boat or trailer up a slippery ramp or gravelly incline where a two-wheel drive may not give you the traction you need. - Авто та транспорт
![Lp. Последняя Реальность #107 РОДНОЙ ДОМ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IK3QKzKUlHM/mqdefault.jpg)
5:34 When he mentions off-road situations, and then shows situations that any 2wd minivan could conquer.
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Nailed it
This is an optimum video for explaining the uses, differences, advantages and disadvantages. Thank you.
instablaster
I already knew this stuff, but don’t think I could have ever explained it better than u just did. Also, that part about the gas mileage & full time or part time 4 wd! + so many good points u hit on! Wow! U we’re spot on! Ty. I’m saving this. 5 STARS!
Good video, very informative...got rid of most of my confusions and queries
Thank you. Awesome video,answered all my questions.
You just answered most of my questions sir. Great video👌🏻
When 4WD is engaged on paved road, you want to make sure all 4 wheels spins at the same number of turns else the gears will bind causing damage to drive train (an AWD vehicle can be converted to 4WD by engaging the center differential lock button). An AWD vehicle has a differential at the end of the transmission which allows front and rear drive shafts to spin at different ratios so you can drive on a paved road and can make turns without the gears getting bind. 4WD is the best for traction but cannot be used on dry pavement, AWD is the next best. You will need to have all 4 wheels in same type in AWD or 4wd vehicles. THere is more on this subject.
Not entirely true.
*bound. Not bind
And youre only partially correct, there's more to it
You're correct regarding Land Rover or Toyota Land Cruiser but all wheel drive Subaru doesn't have high or low or Center lock so I would say all wheel drive just regarding Land Rover and Toyota Land cruiser. Possibly something else I don't know
Agreed. I destroyed the front differential on my 4WD Hi/Lo range Tahoe by inadvertently driving 45 miles at highway speeds in 4Hi.
Why the fail? Because you were on pavement or had different gearing up front? I'm trying to learn everything about wheeling; bought my first, an '04 Dakota 4x4. @@JT_70
You explained this so well. Thank you!
Very brief video while explaining everything important. Met my need and highly satisfied.
Finally! You solved my problem. Thank you! 😀
I watched video. Transfer case fluid needs to be changed also at intervals. Me and my Wife bought a 2004 Suburban and we love it! 4WD and it is sweet!
Wow, an O'reilly video that is actually informative
Wow! Excellent job explaining. great teaching! 👍
Excellent and helpful. Thank you.
great video thanks we purchase a awd suv and here in tennessee it gets crazy sometimes
I have an awd Saturn Vue and this is very informative.
I live in a climate that regularly gets feets of snow. AWD is pretty standard here. Rockies Mountain High!
This is helpful because I’m getting a lancer soon and it has a switch in the middle to change between 2wd and 4wd
This was great, thank you!
Thank you. These tire shops saying you have to change all four tires are scamming people. “Oh you have a tire that can’t be repaired? Is it AWD? Then you need to buy ALL 4 new tires” ..... What a scam. The owners manual say you need to buy “in pair” in other words if you had that situation happen you, say in the rear, you’d have to buy 2 new rear tires, if it happened in the front or steers, you’d have to buy two new front tires, but you do not have to buy four new tires. Like this guy said you are basically driving a front wheel drive until he front wheels slip and start spinning fast then the computer sends power to the rear. You are hardly ever using power to the rear unless your front looses traction. They’ll tell you there is no differential from front to back but your front is sliding so the back is pushing. It’s like a snowmobile. Anyway look at the owners manual and next time you go to a tire shop and they try to sell you 4 push back and tell them no.
Great video!
really informative video
Thank you for the video
Great info thanks.
Awesome Review!
We bought a new AWD Chevy Equinox this year hopefully it does well this winter ❄️🥶
Great video. I live in Tx and the temptation to get an AWD or 4x4 is strong due to the few severe winter ice conditions and occasional muddy country roads. I didn’t know FWD could perform well in those conditions. Thank you for the info!
I got me a AWD for Texas winters last week. I don’t blame you !
Until you see black ice on the road
you guys are lucky i live in upstate ny and try driving in 20” of snow with anything but 4wd …
2 great equalizers are black ice and Georgia red clay! Or red snot, as I call it.
Super Crips and clear explanation
great video!
Great job thanks so much
Nice video
4 wheel drive the way to go!! Like a condom or a gun... better have it and not need or to need it and not have it!!!
They handle surprisingly well considering 7,000+ pounds.
I was wondering why my rav4 4x4 looks beefier, and raised up to the awd version thats tiny and more punier. I use the 4x4 to go down by the water in cc tx, and love the rav4 my family gave me. This vehicle has been awesome durring the hurricanes aswell.
You’re an idiot
Insurance like fire extinguisher!
Very informative so far. I have a 2004 Suburban and it is great on all road conditions. But beware it goes where the road goes so you have to have two hands on the wheel.
Oh I know this! It goes where the road goes. It's a 2 hander on the highway when the wind is blowing. It has gotten me out of 6 accidents because of idiots.
Nice
Well I live in TX where it doesn’t snow and have AWD. Used to have RWD but fishtailed a lot. love the AWD on my Subaru
Thank you
AWD is by far the best at giving a false sense of security.
four wheel drive does NOT drive all four wheels all the time. Mostly it powers the front and rear differentials in a 50/50 split. Since these diffs. are usually open, most "four wheel drive" is actually a locked "two wheel drive." To get all four wheels to drive, one needs lockers.
Absolutely correct! That's what I like about having a Land Rover I can have all-wheel drive with abs traction control and then I can lock Center diff to have four wheel drive traction control and then I can lock individual differentials if fitted
Studying before getting a lunchbox locker for my Dakotas rear diff, I saw some comments about putting lockers in front would suck in snow and increase your turning radius overall. Not good in tightly wooded areas.
Thanks this helped alot
We drove in Iowa and Minnesota for 100 years. 4 wheel is nice to get out of a drift or ditch.
Good beginning, but he didn't get into locking hubs, lunchbox lockers, or the problems with front lockers in snow and mud, but I guess that would get pretty long!
Thank you so much. Great teaching 👍🏿👏
You forgot the modern day version, like my Nissan Armada platinum edition which has all three. You can choose from 2wd, awd, and 4wd lock. It has all the capabilities as you talked about, summer time you keep it in 2wd then winter time you put it in awd and let the car’s computer make the decision on when you need the front wheels to engage or disengage this way it’ll help you with mpg since it will only engage the front wheels when needed and then if you want to go off-roading or down a slick, muddy or low traction road or trail you put it in 4wd lock so it keeps the front wheels engaged at all times because some really muddy and slippery roads require you to keep up momentum to make it through. Awd wouldn’t be a good option since it only engages the front wheels when the computer detects the rear wheels lose traction and which in return means you may lose your forward momentum if your rear wheels start to lose traction. At higher speeds awd can work perfectly well as in driving down a muddy dirt road but if it’s a area where you can’t get a lot of speed and have to drive at a low speed then 4wd lock is best so you have all 4 wheels grabbing for traction together rather than waiting for the rear wheels to spin before the front wheels engage. Sorry for the long azz comment and for repeating the same thing over I was trying to explain it in all different scenarios so it helps everyone to understand what I was trying to explain. Thnxs and have a great day…
Ps I also contacting you about your cars extended warranty ¡
amazing video... i subscribed lol
I like the AWD system but all can't pull it self out if it's to deep or something catching it underneath it. I would still say FWD but as long as it where the motor is at because of the weight.
As a woman I needed this information, thank you.
I’m sorry iweisiisjajwzbansjjshdhdhddhhdhfhfhggg
Nissan awd claims to improve handling for cornering and launch from a dead stop. It seems it is designed for on road performance rather than off-road. I am in florida where we have rain nearly everyday. I also like the computer making the decision for me. Bottom ljnr does awd improve hdndling on dry pavement? I know some race cars employ this technology, so it must be good for handling, right?
Wrong
That's what I like about my Land Rover AWD High and low and then lock the center differential to be 4WD high or low. In AWD high or low it has abs traction control and in 4WD same thing. Sometimes it's fun to just let AWD go as far as it possibly can in a 4x4 situation and not even use 4wd
When the Aussies brought their overland campers up to Utah, they were amazed that we Americans drive in 2 wheel as far as we can before shifting into 4.
so i live in Southern Alberta Canada and have crazy weather, what do you suggest? 4x4 or 2
Are the 2023 4runner 2wd versions getting power from the front or the rear? Anyone have experience with the 4runner 2wd on black ice?
In terms of parts? What are the differences?
2wd - front or rear wheel drive! 😊 fwd better in winter. 4wd - low or high, good traction, mud, sand, snow. 😮AWD - always on or some only use two wheels until needed.
Ours cannot change from 4-2 we. From what I understand it's equal power to all four wheels. It's actually got me out of three situations where other people were being dumb
I like AWD for the handling and grip, in normal conditions.
Generally, 4WD is distinguished by having locking differentials. 4WD can be fully automatic, distributing power as needed via the differentials. Most modern 4WD systems operate as RWD until conditions demand otherwise.
He forgot about Full-time 4WD: which can handle anything and can be driven on dry pavement but with limits.
& Part-time AWD(which save gas).
He only really mentioned AWD: Which is full-time and has no limits on dry pavement.
& Part-time 4X4 (4X4 typically = part time 4WD but is usually more powerful than full-time)
Toyota 4Runner Limited 4WD Part Time or Full Time
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The term 2WD Should not be used as it does not indicate if a car is front wheel drive or rear wheel drive, two VERY different drive trains!!!
My car is 2WD but I was sooner buy AWD any SUV car thanks for you better choice
if AWD is not engaged does the vehicle run in FWD or RWD?
FWD at most time
Sadly 2 wheel drive is or should be called ONE WHEEL DRIVE as that is how the differential works, the power is transferred to the wheel that will spin the most freely, unless you have a posi-traction differential.
Ah dude, my 2017 Subaru legacy is WAY better in snow than my 98 and 05 buck LeSabre, 98 S10 that was rear wheel or my 09 front wheel Elentra with no traction control.
I can easily drive through 6 inches without losing stability. Any more than that and I've gotta go really slow.
You gotta explain the difference between Subarus symmetrical awd vs standard awd
What about 4WAWD like my Ford expedition? Cuz my is only 4WD 4 high and low that’s it
How do you drive a 2wd vehicle in the snow
So a WRX is classified as a full time AWD then?
Yes.
One question. How can you tell which drive is it? Where on the truck can you find it?
There's typically a switch on your dashboard or center console that allows you to shift from 2WD to 4WD as you're driving
IF it's a "switch on the fly" type, right? My '04 Dakota will to 4H, but you have to stop and hit neutral to get in or out of 4L.
Now let's go over lockers spools and min spools
I have toyota 4wd when I bought it I didn’t know anything about cars,I don’t use it much i just use it when am going to work,i want to change it to 2wd is that okay?
That's about sensible as throwing away your fire extinguishers. What will you do when you need it?
All wheel drive does not drive all four wheels evenly. Wheel turning cornering and the outer wheel goes faster than the inner wheel. They send power to where it’s needed most, but driving off of paved roads can need all wheels driven evenly no matter what. They cannot be driven on paved surfaces when in the four wheel drive mode.
O’reelys!
2:01 didn't even mention the possibility of all time 4WD.
On a 4 wheel drive when not in 4 wheel drive and then it becomes a two wheel drive….is then a front wheel drive or a rear wheel drive, when not in a 4 wheel drive you did not address that.?
Like a 2017 Kia Sorento
homie got some thickass glasses love the content I just calls it like I sees it 👀
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1996 DODGE RAM AND A 1996 DODGE RAM 4X4 ARE THE FRONT BRAKE PADS
THE SAME SIZE ? ?
They are on my Dakora.
Well, yes and no.
Do you need a 4x4 or all wheel drive? I live in Western WA where it doesn't snow a lot but when it does, about 80% of you folks that don't think you need it are suddenly stuck at home or in a ditch.
And #2. "4x4 doesn't help braking."
Not so, with a rear wheel drive automatic transmission car it's really only the traction of your front tires as you depress the brakes that stop and keep you stopped at a traffic light. If you let off of the brakes, you'll notice the car start to creep forward because of the small amount of torque that's always being applied by the rear tires even when your foot is completely off the gas.
In slippery conditions that small amount of torque will drive you right into an intersection as your foot is planted on the brakes and your front goes sliding along.
A 4x4, or AWD car will not do that because applying the brakes effectively stops the back tires as well as the front because it's all connected.
Pro tip, if you do drive a rear wheel drive car and experience sliding at slow speeds, try dropping your car into neutral. This will stop that push and will allow you to come to a stop in all but the worst conditions... of course, getting your car going again in those conditions is gonna be a Bitch, so the next time you're at a car dealership, go with the awd or 4x4 option.
Excuse me!!!! Unless you have both a front and rear locking differentials you Never get power to all 4 wheels at the same time!!!! 4wd sends power to each differential in each axle assembly 90% of the time one wheel in each axle will get the power to apply to the ground! The only thing on ANY vehicle that provides traction is the TIRES. So if you have a 4wd or AWD vs a 2wd with a locking differential ( sure grip, Posi., true trac etc.) both vehicles would get power to two wheels - the 2wd to BOTH rear, the 4wd & AWD to one front and one rear. Put you 4wd or AWD on a slippery surface ( or create one) Have two people stand outside -one on each side and bang the throttle.
Front wheel dive DOES NO PROVIDE better traction, It provide a style of traction. Again traction is really the wrong word. IF IT PROVIDE BETTER TRACTION every race car would have it and only it.
Traction: picture it as pieces of a pie ( lets make it a total of 6 pieces ( makes no difference how many pieces - it is just an example) When you use up all the pieces you are - OUT OF PIE! If in a given situation use need three to move the vehicle and two to steer it, you are OK - BUT it just started to snow now it takes four pieces to move it and anything more than the two to steer it means - YOUR OUT OF PIE. vehicle goes where you do not want it to - BANG it's bent! Front wheel drive was designed for smaller cars to provide more room in the interior for passengers ( no drivetrain tunnel in the floor), less parts ( no driveshaft) etc. Watch any video you want on you tube - type in "winter driving fails" and watch for your self.
Engineers know why they design different things and what problems they can solve. They also know what you give up in the process !
Pick what you want and learn how it works, it's good AND bad points.
TIRES PROVIDE TRACTION - OPERATORS DECIDE HOW MUCH PIE THEY WANT TO USE!!!
I chose a rear locker for my 4x4 Dakota but will leave the front open, for the tighter steering. You are correct sir.
This would have been the most informative video if it include which one is faster racing between awd vs rwd
AWD does little in the real world. It works best when you don't need it. Don't believe me, I really don't care. Wait till the roads are covered with snow in Duluth Minnesota and try going up Lake Ave to the top. Tell the guy with a 4×4 to pass you as soon as he can....you'll see the difference. Oh and it doesn't matter if you have center locking or not.
My opinion on all wheel drive. When the extra traction is applied automatically the driver may remail oblivious to the worsening road conditions till it is too late for the vehicle to help. Same applies to selecting 4WD as a precaution on a slick or muddy road, you won't know you are reaching the limit of ability till you are there. ie. keep the vehicle in 2WD then when control gets near the limit of control, select 4WD and back out or divert to a better route. 4WD should be for last recourse not first choice. My self I want Selectable 4WD not Automatic or full time.
Deceptive video. You really should have explained better.
2WD is really just one wheel drive, unless you have positrack or a locker, both rare.
AWD is one wheel drive until the normal drive wheel(s) slip, then the other axle kicks in to add one of its wheels. Aka AWD is really two wheel drive.
4WD is normally one wheel drive until you engage 4WD, then you get two wheel drive. One wheel on the rear axle, one wheel on the front axle as mentioned with AWD.
My F150 has 2WD, AWD, 4WD high and 4WD low. AND I can lock the rear axle to get three wheel drive (front axle still only spins one wheel).
Do better, O’Reilly.
My AWD Honda CRV is a death trap. It will not stop in any depth of snow. I have had to steer off the road to avoid hitting cars at stop lights. I will never buy another AWD vehicle.
AWD is meant to get you moving it has nothing to do with stopping. That's where common sense hopefully is used.
@Alexander Sterling 2013, bought used with 13,000. Wonder if that is the reason the first owner dumped it?
No, not stopping is due to the Anti-Braking system, which I have it in my Honda Accord too. I HATE it because I could not stop in even small amount of snow. I asked some mechanics if they could disable that, but they warn against it
Try shifting into neutral.
Landcuriser will solve this situation.
Sorry O'Reilly... not entirely accurate specific to definitions of AWD, Full-Time 4WD, or Part-Time 4WD.
I agree. He didn't even mention Full Time 4WD
Or lunchbox lockers, spools, or limited slip, hub lockers etc. But he's probably just addressing the noobs who know nothing about any of it.
For the rest of us, we have this awesome comment thread. Taught me a couple things.
idk why but this guy gives me a unsettiling vibe
Would AWD be more 'reliable' in any way...that a 4X setup?
Way way overpriced and ugly .
Youngbo moneymobbn
You just answered most of my questions sir. Great video👌🏻