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- From: dcwst8+@pitt.edu (David C Winters)
- Newsgroups: rec.autos.tech
- Subject: All-Wheel Drive/4x4 Questions.
- Message-ID: <1008@blue.cis.pitt.edu>
- Date: 20 Dec 92 16:00:49 GMT
- Sender: news+@pitt.edu
- Organization: University of Pittsburgh
- Lines: 27
-
-
- This post's about all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. First of
- all, are they the same? I've already heard:
- a. they're two different names for the same thing.
- b. they're slightly different drive systems.
- c. they're vastly different drive systes.
- Which is correct?
-
- I've also heard some opinions that assume that AWD and 4x4 are
- _not_ the same thing; the thing is, they are judged under two different
- yardsticks.
- #1. On dry pavement, the AWD systems beat the 4x4 systems where
- out-'n'-out performance is concerned (acceleration, traction, etc.)
- #2. On any none-dry pavement (ice, snow, but not off-roading),
- the 4x4 systems will perform a little better, but they are far safer
- than the AWD systems (traction, etc. - but talking about here-to-there
- driving, not sports car-driving).
- These two aren't talking about the same _manner_ of driving, so
- they really can't be compared to each other (at least, I don't think
- so), but are either of these points correct? Any other general
- knowledge along these lines?
-
- If this isn't the right place for this stuff, where should I look?
-
- --
- David Winters
- winters@vms.cis.pitt.edu
-