What does 4WD on the back of a car mean?
1 Answers
4WD stands for "Four-Wheel Drive," which means all four wheels have driving force. In the past, four-wheel drive was mainly used in rugged off-road vehicles, but it is now also found in urban SUVs, as well as many mid-to-high-end sedans and luxury sports cars. 4WD includes three forms: full-time four-wheel drive, part-time four-wheel drive, and on-demand four-wheel drive. The details are as follows: 1. Full-time four-wheel drive: Cars equipped with full-time four-wheel drive are always in four-wheel drive mode. This system is commonly found in luxury SUV models, such as the BMW X5 and Audi Q7. 2. Part-time four-wheel drive: This system allows the driver to switch between four-wheel drive and two-wheel drive via a control in the car. Most off-road vehicles with part-time four-wheel drive also have a low-range four-wheel drive function. When switched to low-range four-wheel drive, the wheel torque is further amplified, helping the vehicle escape difficult terrain. Examples of cars with part-time four-wheel drive include the Toyota Prado and Jeep Wrangler. 3. On-demand four-wheel drive: This system is typically used in urban SUVs or some front-engine, front-wheel-drive cars. Cars with on-demand four-wheel drive usually operate in front-wheel drive mode, and power is only distributed to the rear wheels when the front wheels slip or during hard acceleration. On-demand four-wheel drive is cost-effective and fuel-efficient, making it suitable for urban SUVs and sedans.