What does AWD mean?
3 Answers
AWD on a car refers to full-time four-wheel drive, where the engine distributes power evenly to all four wheels through the drivetrain. Below are specific introductions to the four-wheel drive system modes: 1. H4F Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive: H4F is the default four-wheel drive mode for the Prado, used during everyday city driving. 2. H4L High-Speed Four-Wheel Drive: In high-speed four-wheel drive mode, both the front and rear differentials are locked, causing all four wheels to rotate at the same speed. This prevents situations where a lifted wheel spins rapidly while a stuck wheel does not rotate. When in H4L mode, it is best not to exceed a speed of 80 km/h. 3. L4L Low-Speed Four-Wheel Drive: Low-speed four-wheel drive is typically used in slippery conditions such as mud or swamps. It reduces speed through a gear mechanism to increase torque. The Prado's low-speed four-wheel drive can amplify torque by 2.6 times compared to high-speed four-wheel drive, giving the wheels greater power to escape difficult situations, though the vehicle speed will be slower.
I've been driving for over 20 years. AWD stands for All-Wheel Drive, which means the engine's power can be distributed to all four wheels, unlike regular front-wheel or rear-wheel drive vehicles that only power some of the wheels. This is especially useful for those of us who often drive in rain or snow, as it provides better traction and makes the car less prone to skidding. SUVs I've driven, like the RAV4 and CR-V, have this system, making them more stable during acceleration and turning, especially on slippery roads or curves, significantly improving safety. Of course, the downside is slightly higher fuel consumption, but I think it's worth it to reduce accident risks. For new drivers who have never tried it, I recommend trying a car with AWD—the experience is quite different, especially for more confident winter driving. Overall, AWD is suitable for various road conditions, but it depends on how the vehicle's design optimizes it.
As a daily commuter, I understand that AWD stands for All-Wheel Drive, which means power is distributed to all wheels rather than just one or two at the front or rear. This is a major advantage for those of us rushing to the office—it prevents the car from easily losing control and sliding out of the lane during rain or snow. I feel much more at ease driving my Hyundai Tucson AWD version. Additionally, many family cars like the Highlander come with this feature as standard, making it ideal for daily commutes, especially when driving kids to school. Don’t worry about complexity—modern systems switch automatically without manual input, making driving effortless. Fuel consumption might be about 5% higher than with two-wheel drive, but compared to the risk of accidents, this trade-off is acceptable.
