What are the differences between driving wheels and driven wheels?
2 Answers
Driving wheels and driven wheels differ as follows: 1. Driving wheel: The driving wheel converts the engine's energy into kinetic energy, propelling the driving wheel to rotate and enabling the vehicle to move forward or backward. This wheel is called the driving wheel; 2. Driven wheel: The driven wheel has no driving power and only serves a supporting role. Its rotation is driven by other driving forces, hence it's called passive or driven; 3. Specific differences: For example, in a bicycle, the rear wheel that rotates when pedaled is called the driving wheel, while the front wheel that moves along with the rear wheel's motion is called the passive or driven wheel. Cars can be front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive. The wheels that have driving power are called driving wheels, while those without driving power that follow the motion are called passive wheels.
The drive wheels are the wheels that directly receive power from the engine, such as the rear wheels in a rear-wheel-drive car. They are responsible for converting the engine's energy into the vehicle's movement, so they tend to wear out faster during rapid acceleration or uphill driving. On the other hand, the non-driven wheels (or passive wheels) do not receive power input and primarily serve for steering or support, like the rear wheels in a front-wheel-drive car, which experience more even wear. Understanding this distinction is crucial because it affects the vehicle's handling—for example, drive wheels are more prone to slipping during turns, while non-driven wheels remain more stable. Additionally, since drive wheels bear greater torque, their tires often have a shorter lifespan, requiring owners to pay extra attention to tire pressure and wear during regular maintenance. Modern all-wheel-drive vehicles allow all four wheels to be driven, improving traction but also increasing maintenance costs. In short, knowing these details helps us make smarter choices when selecting or maintaining a car.
