Quote:
Originally Posted by Radio
On a more serious note, why would you 'not' drive in 4 wheel drive?
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Ok the difference between 4WD and AWD is the transfer case.
On many 4wd Vehicles the transfer case is a collection of simple spline cluthes (Gears or toothed plates that either engage or don't) thus both the front and rear drive shaft turn at teh same rate, as though they were one.
On an AWD, the transfer case is itself a differential, so it is possible for one shaft to turn at a different speed.
Now going straight down the road, and I do mean straight, makes no difference,
But in a curve teh front wheels (epically the inside front) turn at different speeds than the rear (Even the inside) the result is the front and rear drive shafts turn at different speeds.
In a 4wd vehicle on slippery roads, Mud, Ice, Sand, Gravel, Dirt, no problem
On concrete or asphalt, (Clear and dry in both cases) this puts a whole lot of strain on the drive systems.. Which is why it's not to be done.