4 WHEEL DRIVE & ALL WHEEL DRIVE
Colorado Living
What is AWD?
AWD, or “all-wheel drive,” is a drivetrain configuration in which torque is directed from the engine to the front and rear axles to all four wheels via differentials. There are a couple different kinds of AWD systems, including full-time AWD and part-time AWD. As their names suggest, full-time AWD systems send torque to the front and rear axles all the time, while part-time AWD systems are able to monitor road conditions and driving behavior in order to decide when it makes sense to send torque only to the front axle.
What is 4WD?
4WD, or “four-wheel drive,” is a traditional 4×4 drivetrain. The principle difference between 4WD and AWD is that, while 4WD systems are able to send power to the front and rear axles, they’re also able to direct a specific amount of power between the left and right wheels. In general, 4WD systems are designed for maximum off-road prowess and are usually built into vehicles with truck-based platforms.