What is Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive?

1 Answers
Nathaniel
07/29/25 6:46pm
Full-time four-wheel drive means that at all times, the vehicle is independently driven by all four wheels. In English, it is abbreviated as "AWD" (All-Wheel Drive) to distinguish it from 2WD (which includes FWD and RWD). Full-time four-wheel drive distributes driving force to all four tires through a flexibly connected central differential, and then via independent differentials on the front and rear axles. Unlike purely mechanical differential locks, the differential in full-time four-wheel drive can be either a viscous coupling or a multi-clutch type, but both allow for a speed difference between the front and rear wheels, as well as between the left and right wheels. Whether a vehicle has full-time four-wheel drive depends entirely on the construction of the transfer case. Below is relevant information: Disadvantages: It only starts transferring power to non-slipping tires after detecting slippage in a particular tire, which means the response can be slower. More importantly, these viscous or electronic differentials cannot completely lock the power distribution at 50:50 like a mechanical differential lock. Because of this, full-time four-wheel drive is often dismissed by hardcore off-road enthusiasts as "fake off-roading," unable to match the capabilities of part-time four-wheel drive in extreme conditions like climbing mountains or fording rivers. Advantages: Theoretically, it is the ideal driving method for vehicles, providing better tire grip, more effortless high-speed cornering, and easier handling, thereby enhancing both safety and performance. Since power is always distributed to all four wheels, when one wheel begins to slip, the system automatically intervenes to redistribute power to ensure optimal traction at all times. This system offers significant handling advantages on slippery surfaces. As a result, more and more SUVs and sedans adopt full-time four-wheel drive not just for off-roading but for the stability and active safety it provides, especially in high-performance cars. Section: Excellence and Safety
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