awd v. 4wd

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May 26, 2011 | 02:52 PM

#16

mmarshall

Lexus Fanatic

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 94,334

Likes: 237

From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs

Quote:

Originally Posted by <VENOM>

The snow mode is your differential lock, splitting power front to rear, should help you/your wife get out of deep snow situations, take it to a parking lot when it snows and switch it on and feel the difference, the AWD does not know it's stuck in snow and when your stepping on the gas to get out, the AWD thinks your slippin on ice and applying the brakes

SNOW mode, in some vehicles, also limits engine torque going to the drive wheels by starting up from a stop in second gear.

May 26, 2011 | 03:39 PM

#17

I8ABMR

Lexus Fanatic

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 22,608

Likes: 105

From: Waiting for next track day

i find that people usually refer to cars as having AWD and SUVs as 4WD.

May 27, 2011 | 07:33 AM

#18

geko29

CL Community Team

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 9,343

Likes: 601

From: IL

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMax96

We just picked up a new 2011 Highlander last week - and it has 4WD.

It actually has AWD. The Highlander/RX are FWD vehicles at heart, with optional open center and rear differentials. Constant power distribution is 25/25/25/25. When a wheel slips, total power delivery drops to 4x as much torque as is required to spin the slipping wheel (which is basically nothing). Traction Control then kicks in, braking the slipping wheel and thus making it more difficult to turn and increasing the overall power delivery as a result.