Can the All-Wheel Drive (AWD) be manually switched on demand?
2 Answers
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) generally cannot be manually switched. AWD can be understood as a 'passive four-wheel drive' system, which automatically switches to four-wheel drive mode when the vehicle's computer detects slippage. Most of the time, the vehicle operates in two-wheel drive. AWD is commonly used in urban SUVs, which do not require high off-road capabilities, hence the more economical and practical AWD system is equipped. Relevant information about SUVs is as follows: Introduction: SUV stands for Sport Utility Vehicle, different from Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs) that can be used on rough terrains. The full name of SUV is Sport-Utility-Vehicle or Suburban-Utility-Vehicle, meaning a suburban multi-purpose vehicle. It combines the space functionality of a station wagon with the off-road capabilities of a pickup truck. Characteristics: SUVs are known for their powerful performance, off-road capabilities, spacious comfort, and excellent cargo and passenger carrying functions.
I've been driving a city SUV for seven or eight years, and what annoys me the most is skidding on mountain roads during rainy days. Can you manually switch the on-demand AWD? Mostly no! The computer relies on wheel speed sensors to make its own judgment—only when the front wheels slip do the rear wheels kick in. Last month, while driving my friend's RAV4 up a muddy slope, I watched helplessly as the AWD icon on the dashboard flashed but couldn't deliver power—the system's response was half a beat slower than pressing the accelerator. However, some cars come with a lock button, like the LOCK button on the X-Trail, which fixes the power distribution, effectively turning it into a temporary full-time AWD. Veteran advice: If you're serious about off-roading, go straight for a part-time 4WD. On-demand AWD is essentially just an urban anti-skid umbrella.