What is the difference between AWD and 4WD?

Answer by  StevenB (128)

The difference between awd and 4wd is that awd is engaged by a compute and not like 4wd where it is user controlled.

Answer by  4by4 (36)

The difference between AWD and 4WD is subtle. AWD vehicles generally are driven by all four wheels at all times. 4WD vehicles generally have to be shifted into 4WD, and sometimes the front wheel hubs must even be locked before shifting to 4WD. AWD is basically a newer, less user-controlled form of 4WD.

Answer by  Amber40 (24961)

All wheel drive(AWD)and four wheel drive(4WD) is pretty much the same thing. It means that the vehicle can use all four wheels to propel the car. However the main difference is that in an AWD car all four tire are always getting power. In a 4WD vehicle, four wheel drive can be disengaged and engaged either manually or automatically.

Answer by  nate (199)

awd means that all four wheels are getting power to them at the same time. 4wd is when you can select between 4wd and 2wd, on 4wd you do not want to leave them in 4wd when on hard roads or surfaces or it could screw them up, you only want to use them on soft loose surfaces.

Answer by  Amber40 (24961)

Well Awd or all wheel drive typically refer to a symmetrically distributed full time drivetrain. Four wheel drive typically refer to a selectable all wheel drive setup. Meaning that it can be switch to a 2wd when 4wd is not needed. Awd system are found in lighter, smaller vehicles where 4wd are for more serious off-road vehicles.

Answer by  shotgun7 (69)

AWD means that both the front and the back wheels always have power to them (atleas 1 wheel fron/back dpending on how the differental is set up) Most 4wd's can be taken in and out of 4wd mode.

Answer by  harper2583 (466)

Well the difference between awd and 4wd is that awd is on all of the time when you drive and 4wd is not.

Answer by  Amber40 (24961)

The main difference between all wheel drive and four wheel drive is that all wheel drive stay on all the time. On a four wheel drive setup you can deactivate one set of wheel if you wish. They also sometimes allow the driver to select multiple drive ration not available with a AWD setup.

Answer by  chase (6)

all wheel drive is when all four wheel power the car at all times. 4 wheel drive give the driver the option of using four or two wheels to power the car. f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f