What does 4WD TOD mean?

[LeGavin]

TOD is the abbreviation of Torque-On-Demand, which means "Torque-On-Demand four-wheel drive" technology. Introduction to the TOD four-wheel drive system: It can distribute the required power according to the vehicle and road conditions. Under normal circumstances, the TOD system is mainly rear-wheel drive, but when road conditions change, it will transfer torque to the front wheels as needed to provide sufficient traction. How the TOD four-wheel drive system works: TOD uses multiple sensors to detect the working status of each half-shaft, and the parameters detected include vehicle speed, axle speed, throttle opening, brake and ABS system status, etc., to prevent the tires from losing adhesion. The TOD device is installed at the front end of the vehicle's rear drive shaft and is controlled by the electronic control unit (ECU). When the electronic control unit determines that the front wheels are slipping based on the vehicle's driving conditions, it provides an appropriate current to the electromagnetic coil, causing the first-stage clutch to push the cam plate mechanism, which then presses the second-stage wet clutch to engage, thereby distributing the rear axle's torque to the front axle.

[MatteoLee]

Let me tell you about the TOD 4WD system. It's called Torque-On-Demand system, and it's particularly useful for vehicles like mine that often travel in suburban areas. Simply put, the computer monitors wheel slip via sensors. Normally, the rear axle only receives a small amount of power to save fuel, but if the front wheels start spinning, torque is immediately shifted to the rear. Last time I was climbing a muddy slope, the steering wheel suddenly felt heavier – that was the system kicking in. It's more fuel-efficient than full-time 4WD and more convenient than part-time 4WD, with dynamic torque distribution between front and rear during cornering. However, prolonged idling of the driveshaft causes slight energy loss, and hardcore off-roaders might find it not rugged enough, but it's absolutely sufficient for urban commutes in snowy conditions.

[DeDominic]

The TOD 4WD system is essentially an intelligent torque distribution system. I witnessed its response speed at the test drive site. When the vehicle detects reduced front wheel traction, the electronically controlled multi-plate clutch can increase rear axle torque to 50% within 0.1 seconds. During normal driving, the rear axle only maintains 5-15% power, equivalent to the fuel consumption of a front-wheel-drive vehicle. The most practical feature is its ability to predict slip tendencies, such as detecting excessive steering wheel angle or aggressive throttle input, and proactively increasing rear wheel torque. However, two points should be noted: prolonged high-intensity use may cause clutch overheating, and the maximum torque distribution ratio is inferior to mechanical differential locks.

[DelDaisy]

Many people often confuse TOD with other four-wheel-drive systems. Imagine turning on an icy road: part-time 4WD requires manually switching in advance, full-time 4WD keeps all wheels engaged but consumes more fuel, while TOD acts like a smart butler—letting the rear wheels relax for fuel efficiency during straight-line driving, then instantly applying power to prevent understeer the moment you turn. Some car enthusiasts have tested that during 80km/h lane changes on slippery roads, TOD-equipped vehicles are 15% more stable than regular front-wheel-drive cars. However, this system relies more on electronic control, and torque distribution becomes limited when ESP intervenes.