When shopping around for a new car, you’ll first have to weigh in on two drivetrain options: an All-wheel drive and a 4-wheel drive. While these two terms are often used interchangeably, there are some significant differences between them that car buyers need to first understand before making a purchase.
If you’re looking at car dealerships near Rome, NY, it helps to first know what you’re looking for.
How an AWD Works
All-wheel drive is also known as AWD in car lingo, and it’s essentially the car equivalent of an office stool with wheels. That is to say, if one wheel stops moving, there are still at least three other wheels that can keep things going. This system makes sense on vehicles built for all types of weather and terrain, especially SUVs and trucks designed to handle difficult off-road conditions.
How a 4WD Works
Four-wheel drive, on the other hand, has a few more moving parts. This car system essentially triples the amount of contact that each tire makes with the ground and takes some of the car’s engine power, and splits it between each wheel individually. That means that if one car wheel is in mud while another car wheel is on a dry, paved road, it can deliver more car engine power to the tire that needs it.
Most car buyers prefer one drivetrain system over the other, depending on what they need in a car or SUV.
Pros and Cons of Each
AWD Pros
• Tighter car control over any surface
• Better fuel efficiency
• Faster system reaction
• Seamless operation, automatic
• Less car wheel spin on slick car roads or snow car conditions
• Better car stability off-road, especially in mud or deep snow
AWD Cons:
• Less car engine power to car wheels
4WD Pros:
• Better car control off-road, especially in deep snow
• More car engine power to car wheels
• Can be supplied with enhanced car durability features, like heavy-duty car suspensions and high torque car engines
• More towing capabilities when compared to AWDs
4WD Cons:
• Less car control on car roads or car parking lots
• Slower system reaction time
• Decreased car fuel efficiency due to car engine power being split between car wheels
Now that you know the difference between 4WD and AWD systems, it should be easier to get a better idea of which car dealer you should drop by when shopping around for your next car or SUV. You can also check out an inventory of luxury cars at car dealerships near Rome, NY at 209 Vestal Parkway West in Vestal, NY or call us at 607-754-9118.
