What are the advantages and disadvantages of on-demand four-wheel drive on icy and snowy roads?
2 Answers
On-demand four-wheel drive has the following advantages and disadvantages when driving on icy and snowy roads: Advantages: At high speeds, on-demand four-wheel drive mainly provides better traction, with less tire slippage under high torque. Additionally, the four-wheel drive system offers some assistance in suppressing side slips on slippery roads and improving vehicle tracking. Disadvantages: Most on-demand four-wheel drive systems are limited by structural flaws when transferring power between the front and rear axles, unable to deliver more than 50% of the power to the rear axle, resulting in incomplete power utilization. Comparatively, the active safety of on-demand four-wheel drive vehicles is not as high as that of full-time four-wheel drive vehicles.
As a seasoned driver who has been driving in the northern regions for years, I find that the benefits of all-wheel drive (AWD) on snowy and icy roads are quite significant. It automatically distributes power to different wheels, making it less likely to skid during acceleration or turns, providing stable and safe driving—especially for beginners, as they don’t need to worry about manually switching to AWD mode. However, there are also noticeable drawbacks: fuel consumption is considerably higher than with two-wheel drive, leading to extra costs of tens or even hundreds of dollars over time; the system’s complexity increases the risk of malfunctions, and if sensors get covered by snow or ice, the system may fail, reverting the car to two-wheel drive performance, which is less reliable in deep snow. I recommend equipping a good set of winter tires to compensate for its shortcomings, along with regular maintenance and sensor checks to avoid unexpected breakdowns. In short, it’s a great helper in typical snowy and icy conditions, but don’t assume it’s invincible—always stay alert and drive cautiously.
