Do you really need a 4WD automobile? What about an AWD? The answers to those questions are determined by several factors, which United Diesel Repair will discuss below. Some people purchase vehicles with the added drive wheel options for recreation, necessity, or just in case. Let’s talk about four-wheel and all-wheel-drive automobiles so you can make an educated decision that’s best for you.
General Wheel-Drive Information
Whether you should spend extra for either option depends on what you hope to get out of it. Both 4WD and AWD vehicles help secure acceleration on slippery roads, but they don’t necessarily improve vehicle handling or help you stop in these conditions. In the case of 4WD trucks, you might see a 5-to-10 percent boost in fuel economy in rough driving conditions, and to be clear, a 4WD automobile has two differentials to power all four wheels whereas an AWD vehicle has a center, front, and rear differential.
Times When You Might Need a 4WD or AWD
There are times when having the power divided between all four wheels is extremely beneficial. For example, if you drive on unpaved, rough roads frequently, a 4WD or AWD will increase your traction. Other examples of times when you’d benefit from the added drive differential take into account where you live and what you use your automobile for. For example, you would benefit from 4WD or AWD if
- You live in an area that sees severe winter weather that leaves the roads slippery and icy daily and you find that your two-wheel automobile slips too much
- You need extra traction because you tow frequently in wet conditions, such as hauling a boat to the lake on the weekends and pulling it from the wet boat ramp
- You have a work truck that drives on rough terrain, hauls stuff over that terrain, or otherwise needs added traction than a two-wheel-drive offers
- You drive in conditions where you find that your two-wheel-drive automobile cannot maintain traction and controllability constantly
In other words, it isn’t necessary to invest in the added drive capability if you don’t need it all the time. For example, if you go up into the mountains to ski a couple of times a year, it isn’t worth the added sticker price to purchase a 4WD or AWD vehicle. Off-road recreation usually requires added drive capabilities, but if you won’t use the 4WD or AWD that much, you probably don’t need it.
If you do have a 4WD or AWD vehicle, United Diesel Repair can service and repair it. Set up an appointment at our Flowery Branch, GA, today.
