What Does All-Wheel Drive Mean?
1 Answers
All-wheel drive, also known as four-wheel drive, refers to a system where both the front and rear wheels of a vehicle receive power, commonly denoted as 4X4 or 4WD. This drivetrain configuration utilizes all wheels as driving wheels, fully leveraging the vehicle's total adhesion mass, thereby providing greater driving force and enhanced capability to overcome obstacles and prevent slipping. Consequently, off-road vehicles typically adopt this drivetrain form. Below is a detailed explanation: Classification: All-wheel drive is further divided into two types: one is full-time all-wheel drive, meaning the vehicle operates in all-wheel drive mode continuously; the other is part-time all-wheel drive, which can disengage power to certain axles to reduce fuel consumption and wear, engaging all-wheel drive only when necessary. Working Principle: The four-wheel drive system in passenger vehicles is of a constant-mesh type, incorporating a viscous coupling that eliminates the need for a manual transfer case, automatically distributing torque between the front and rear wheels as required.