What does four-wheel drive mean?
2 Answers
Four-wheel drive refers to a form where the vehicle maintains four-wheel drive throughout the entire driving process, with the engine's output torque distributed to the front and rear wheels in a fixed ratio. The related introduction to four-wheel drive is as follows: Part-time four-wheel drive: Part-time four-wheel drive requires the driver to manually switch to four-wheel drive mode, selecting between four-wheel or two-wheel drive by engaging or disengaging the transfer case. This is the most common four-wheel drive mode. Although it is four-wheel drive, it is not equipped with a differential lock. If switched to four-wheel drive mode on a smooth road section, it cannot turn smoothly on curves. Full-time four-wheel drive: Full-time four-wheel drive is equipped with three differential locks, providing better stability in four-wheel drive mode, whether on straight roads or curves. This four-wheel drive mode offers good handling without requiring manual switching by the driver. However, it lacks intelligence and cannot automatically distribute torque. Vehicles equipped with this four-wheel drive system generally have high fuel consumption.
I've been driving for decades and have a special appreciation for four-wheel drive. Simply put, it means the vehicle's powertrain can drive all four wheels, unlike regular cars that only power the front two or rear two wheels. This is especially useful on rainy or snowy days, as the wheels are less likely to skid. For example, last year when my family went on a trip to the mountains and drove on muddy mountain roads, our neighbor's two-wheel-drive car got stuck halfway, but my four-wheel-drive vehicle passed through steadily. Besides off-roading, it's also much safer in heavy rain in the city, though fuel consumption is higher than with two-wheel drive, costing an extra few dozen dollars in gas per month on average. Maintenance requires extra care—for instance, transmission fluid needs to be changed regularly, or the system can age prematurely. If you live in an area with unpredictable weather, four-wheel drive is definitely worth considering. It makes driving more secure and reliable, especially when traveling with family—it gives you peace of mind.
