Comments on: What is the difference between All-Wheel Drive and 4-Wheel Drive? http://allwheeldriveauto.com/what-is-the-difference-between-all-wheel-drive-and-4-wheel-drive/ Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:36:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Al http://allwheeldriveauto.com/what-is-the-difference-between-all-wheel-drive-and-4-wheel-drive/#comment-5935 Al Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:53:13 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/what-is-the-difference-between-all-wheel-drive-and-4-wheel-drive/#comment-5935 I've heard a lot of talk about using a full size spare instead of the compact donut. I've read that the tread depth difference shouldn't be more than 2/32" of the rest of the tires. Of course, it's likely a full size spare is going to have a difference greater than that. How bad is it really to have more than a 2/32" difference? It would only be used temporarily but how far and how fast can you safely go on it without damaging the differential? Will having a different tire model matter in this case even if it's the same tire size? Thanks! Al I’ve heard a lot of talk about using a full size spare instead of the compact donut. I’ve read that the tread depth difference shouldn’t be more than 2/32″ of the rest of the tires. Of course, it’s likely a full size spare is going to have a difference greater than that.
How bad is it really to have more than a 2/32″ difference? It would only be used temporarily but how far and how fast can you safely go on it without damaging the differential? Will having a different tire model matter in this case even if it’s the same tire size?

Thanks!
Al

]]> By: David http://allwheeldriveauto.com/what-is-the-difference-between-all-wheel-drive-and-4-wheel-drive/#comment-449 David Mon, 10 Mar 2008 21:04:58 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/what-is-the-difference-between-all-wheel-drive-and-4-wheel-drive/#comment-449 Hi Justin - it's a 5spd XT - So, the way the system works, is that the right (passenger) front wheel should engage first, then all others - right? I definitely had lots of left front wheelspin with ZERO left rear wheel engagement - it was like a front wheel drive car. I have no idea what the other 2 wheels were doing. We have lots of snow here - so I could push up against a snow bank & see which wheels turn (just by getting out after & seeing which wheels sprayed snow) - should I try this & see what's happening? Thanks! David Hi Justin – it’s a 5spd XT –
So, the way the system works, is that the right (passenger) front wheel should engage first, then all others – right? I definitely had lots of left front wheelspin with ZERO left rear wheel engagement – it was like a front wheel drive car. I have no idea what the other 2 wheels were doing.

We have lots of snow here – so I could push up against a snow bank & see which wheels turn (just by getting out after & seeing which wheels sprayed snow) – should I try this & see what’s happening?

Thanks!
David

]]> By: Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/what-is-the-difference-between-all-wheel-drive-and-4-wheel-drive/#comment-442 Justin Stobb Sat, 08 Mar 2008 00:41:24 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/what-is-the-difference-between-all-wheel-drive-and-4-wheel-drive/#comment-442 Hey David, So the power starts out with the right front. And then as the right front starts to slip the other wheels will engage. Based on what you are describing it sounds like maybe you have a problem, is it an auto or 5spd? Hey David,

So the power starts out with the right front. And then as the right front starts to slip the other wheels will engage. Based on what you are describing it sounds like maybe you have a problem, is it an auto or 5spd?

]]> By: David http://allwheeldriveauto.com/what-is-the-difference-between-all-wheel-drive-and-4-wheel-drive/#comment-440 David Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:40:37 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/what-is-the-difference-between-all-wheel-drive-and-4-wheel-drive/#comment-440 I have a similar question - I noticed that when my Forester was stuck in an icy snowbank that the drivers front wheel was spinning, but the drivers rear wheel was not (I opened the door & looked while running) - the car didn't move an inch and both wheels were completely free & clear of snow. Does this mean that the AWD is like a 4WD open differential system, and that diagonally opposite wheels will turn while the other two are stationary in slippery conditions? (in my case, the drivers front & I assume the passenger rear wheel were turning, while the other two were stationary) Or does that fact that some wheels didn't turn at all means there is a problem with the system on my car? Thanks! David I have a similar question – I noticed that when my Forester was stuck in an icy snowbank that the drivers front wheel was spinning, but the drivers rear wheel was not (I opened the door & looked while running) – the car didn’t move an inch and both wheels were completely free & clear of snow.

Does this mean that the AWD is like a 4WD open differential system, and that diagonally opposite wheels will turn while the other two are stationary in slippery conditions? (in my case, the drivers front & I assume the passenger rear wheel were turning, while the other two were stationary)

Or does that fact that some wheels didn’t turn at all means there is a problem with the system on my car?

Thanks!
David

]]> By: Bob Klein http://allwheeldriveauto.com/what-is-the-difference-between-all-wheel-drive-and-4-wheel-drive/#comment-96 Bob Klein Mon, 31 Dec 2007 23:23:39 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/what-is-the-difference-between-all-wheel-drive-and-4-wheel-drive/#comment-96 Thanks for the response. I just notice much more rear wheel spin in snowy weather when going around corners than before. Much like a rear wheel drive car where i have to lift to get it back under control. Thanks for the response. I just notice much more rear wheel spin in snowy weather when going around corners than before. Much like a rear wheel drive car where i have to lift to get it back under control.

]]> By: Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/what-is-the-difference-between-all-wheel-drive-and-4-wheel-drive/#comment-91 Justin Stobb Mon, 31 Dec 2007 03:38:51 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/what-is-the-difference-between-all-wheel-drive-and-4-wheel-drive/#comment-91 The Subaru All-Wheel Drive system mechanically powers the front wheels first and the rear is engaged either electronically or mechanically based on front wheel slippage. If the front wheels were to have a lack of mechanical power to the wheels you would have a long list of symptoms. It is possible for the car to move but it wouldn’t drive well at all. I can’t imagine the Impreza moving very far for very long without the front wheels having power to them. The Subaru All-Wheel Drive system mechanically powers the front wheels first and the rear is engaged either electronically or mechanically based on front wheel slippage. If the front wheels were to have a lack of mechanical power to the wheels you would have a long list of symptoms. It is possible for the car to move but it wouldn’t drive well at all.

I can’t imagine the Impreza moving very far for very long without the front wheels having power to them.

]]> By: Bob Klein http://allwheeldriveauto.com/what-is-the-difference-between-all-wheel-drive-and-4-wheel-drive/#comment-88 Bob Klein Sun, 30 Dec 2007 15:38:48 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/what-is-the-difference-between-all-wheel-drive-and-4-wheel-drive/#comment-88 Can the 4 wheel system on an impreza wrx fail and the car only drive from the rear wheels without you knowing that the system is not operating correctly? Can the 4 wheel system on an impreza wrx fail and the car only drive from the rear wheels without you knowing that the system is not operating correctly?

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