Which is better 4wd or awd?

[CANofPOP]

So which do I want to buy the (U7) 4wd or the (U8) awd when buying a 3rd generation?

Is it like other suv's where 4wd is selectable 2wd or 4wd and awd is an auto thing that dangerously kicks in half way around a turn and spins you around in the snow?

 

[corkey]

i have a 4 wheel drive with control trac, (96 explorer xl), it works good in the snow,,

but it all depends on what you are using it for,,
the newer awd and 4x4 units are so much nicer than the old ones,,i have driven a brand new explorer awd , and it was hard to tell if it was in awd or just 2wd, and that was out on an ice road ,

 

[F1EA]

With the 4x4 you will probably have to switch to 4wd after you're stuck, or you might run the risk of never using your 4x4 so it could develop a problem that you wont notice until you need it.

But the AWD will have a whole other differential that will prematurely fail, a few sensors and the transfer case works harder... you will have to change all 4 tires at once and keep your tires properly rotated - kept to even wear. The plus side with AWD is you will have good traction all around in most driving conditions.

 

[patrick112390]

With the 4x4 you will probably have to switch to 4wd after you're stuck, or you might run the risk of never using your 4x4 so it could develop a problem that you wont notice until you need it.

But the AWD will have a whole other differential that will prematurely fail, a few sensors and the transfer case works harder... you will have to change all 4 tires at once and keep your tires properly rotated - kept to even wear. The plus side with AWD is you will have good traction all around in most driving conditions.

the control-trac 4wds are the same way. because if you buy 2 new tires for the rear. they are slightly bigger than the half eaten ones on the front, and it will constantly kick into 4 wheel drive.... they are that sensative...

 

[jrford]

AWD – All ways on, no switches, no motor, no module. Works all the time, seamless, you can run in sand, snow, dirt, rain and nothing to switch or turn on. Simple for wifey.

4WD – Comes on when needed, Stump pulling gear, uses sensors, module and motor to turn on. Ability for a full lock, which is useful in deep mud and snow. Can never be in Full Lock on dry pavement. Low Range hill climbs, sand and stump pulling.

If your want to go to Moab or any heavy off roading then the 4wd makes more sense. If you do a lot of driving in snow and rain AWD might be the better choice – IMHO.

I have owned 4WD for 20 years now in jeeps and the Ex and I have never need a low range. With the jeeps the full lock I have only used less than 2% of the time when we get a lot of snow like the 12” in

 

[CANofPOP]

thanks for the helpful reply's.

so the 4wd is an auto that is always on? you can't select 2wd?

 

[eXcali]

With the 4x4 you will probably have to switch to 4wd after you're stuck, or you might run the risk of never using your 4x4 so it could develop a problem that you wont notice until you need it.

But the AWD will have a whole other differential that will prematurely fail, a few sensors and the transfer case works harder... you will have to change all 4 tires at once and keep your tires properly rotated - kept to even wear. The plus side with AWD is you will have good traction all around in most driving conditions.

The tire change statement is untrue. It is full-time 4x4 that you need to change tires in 4's. The AWD system works off of a viscous liquid and adjusts the power to the front wheels based on rear wheel slippage. 4X4 locks your front wheels in your t-case, so if you have different tire wear front to back it will case more stress on your t-case as the wheels revolve at different speeds. So in short AWD = change 2 tires at a time, 4X4 change all 4 at once.

 

[jrford]

In the 3rd gen the with 4wd its always on, that means its ready to go once slippage is detected. there is a BWM brown wire mode that makes it 2wd only.

You can't just change 2 tires in AWD, in fact they recommend a tire rotation at every oil change. If you have to much difference in tire wear you can burn up the viscous clutch in a AWD.

 

[CANofPOP]

Why does Ford offer both 4wd and AWD then?

 

[patrick112390]

Why does Ford offer both 4wd and AWD then?

why do they offer a v6 and a v8?... simple, more options=more appealing to customers

 

[F1EA]

There's a very interesting thread on 4x4 and Awd:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=134671

By the way... I am confused now, i think mine is 4wd. How do I tell?
I have these buttons: 4x4 Auto, 4x4 Hi, 4x4 Lo

 

[patrick112390]

There's a very interesting thread on 4x4 and Awd:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=134671

By the way... I am confused now, i think mine is 4wd. How do I tell?
I have these buttons: 4x4 Auto, 4x4 Hi, 4x4 Lo

then you have the control-trac 4WD. you DO NOT HAVE AWD

 

[alexk]

is the 4x4 auto similar to AWD?

 

[jrford]

is the 4x4 auto similar to AWD?

nope, different animal. AWD usually has a viscous clutch to allow the F/R to spin at different speeds in turns, the wheels always have power. During a turn the stuff in the clutch allows the F/R axles to slip in relation to one another, if the axles slippage gets too great the fluid will solidify and lock up the F/R axle like a full lock.

4WD or Command Trac uses a magnetic clutch and a module to turn it on. It usually is off and only 2 wheels drive. There is logic to when it turns on/off but when on its a full lock; to allow the axles to spin at different speeds in turns - it turns off, then back on, then off - several times while you make the turn.
Most of the new Xfr case seem to be setup this way as its a lot cheaper to make.

 

[mhartson]

I have a 2003 explorer V8 AWD. I was wondering how it works. Is it in 2wd until there is slippage? Or is there power to the front wheels all the time? If so how much and how good is it compared to conventional 4wd high?

 

[shadowless127]

I have a 2003 explorer V8 AWD. I was wondering how it works. Is it in 2wd until there is slippage? Or is there power to the front wheels all the time? If so how much and how good is it compared to conventional 4wd high?

its a 65/35 rear/front power split ALWAYS. My 03's AWD has been great to me in the rain/snow. I have not encountered a situation where I've needed low range yet.

 

[mhartson]

the front wheels can never get any more than 35% power?

 

[jakedrew]

I have a 04 explorer with the 4x4/ automatic 4x4.

basically the back tires spin and the front kick in.

I like it but i dont. Only thing is that the back tires spin and all of sudden it gives power to the front. Kinda of harsh at times.

 

[mhartson]

its a 65/35 rear/front power split ALWAYS. My 03's AWD has been great to me in the rain/snow. I have not encountered a situation where I've needed low range yet.

I am still wondering if the front is limited to 35% power or can it recieve more if needed like maybe 50% back 50% front?

 

[jrford]

don't quote me, but i think that if the spin between the F/R in AWD gets excessive there will be a full lock. The fluid heats up and changes and allow the plates to lock, so in severe slippage you should get 50%/50%, once it cools down they are allowed to slip again.