| Are you considering the type of drivetrain for | | | | well-balanced and they offer superior braking and |
| your next vehicle? Are you torn between | | | | handling for driving buffs. The Lexus IS Series, |
| choosing a front-wheel drive or a rear-wheel | | | | BMW 3 Series and Infiniti G35 are among the best |
| drive? Or do you think you need an all-wheel drive | | | | examples of RWD vehicles. |
| more? Nowadays, the automotive marketplace | | | | All-wheel Drive or AWD - this is among the roster |
| offers a lot of drivetrain choices that it could be | | | | of most sophisticated and modern drivelines |
| quite confusing for buyers. | | | | available nowadays. All of the vehicle's four wheels |
| The drivetrain of a vehicle is the system that | | | | are powered by the engine. It has fluid-filled |
| connects the engines into the wheels. Its | | | | differentials or gears and advanced electronics |
| configuration is designed according to various kinds | | | | which enable it to send power equally to the four |
| of driving conditions and the choices of wheels to | | | | wheels or transfer torque into the wheels/wheel |
| be powered by the engine or driven. Choosing | | | | with most traction. The AWD system is very |
| which drivetrain you will use is an essential decision | | | | much advanced by modern engineering and they |
| when you are in the process of selecting another | | | | are nearly seamless for a driver. |
| vehicle. | | | | Vehicles with AWD configuration can be designed |
| There are six different types of drivetrain | | | | also with a bias to either the front or rear wheels. |
| technologies and they all work differently. By | | | | As such, the driving dynamics are very much |
| initially knowing and understanding them, you could | | | | improved. Unlike 4WD vehicles, AWD vehicles |
| have a more guided decision on which drivetrain | | | | offer vast and highly improved capability for |
| you want for your next car. | | | | winter driving on slippery and wet roads. Subaru |
| Front-wheel drive or FWD - a vehicle with | | | | Legacy, Acura RL and BMW X5 are among the |
| front-wheel drive system means that it sends all | | | | best examples of AWD. |
| its engine power into the two front wheels. This | | | | Full - time Four-wheel drive or 4WD - this system |
| gives the effect that FWD pulls the car down into | | | | has a similarity with the AWD but it is typically |
| the road. The transmission, engine and the | | | | more robust because of its built is designed |
| powertrain are all located in the vehicle's front and | | | | serious off-road driving. The Lexus LX Series, |
| thus, there is more passenger space in the cabin. | | | | Land Rover Range Rover and the Hummer H2 |
| This type of drivetrain has a reduced complexity | | | | are great examples of this type of drivetrain. |
| since all of its components are close to each | | | | Part-time All-wheel drive or Part time AWD - this |
| other. It may also mean that you will not worry | | | | vehicle is essentially a two-wheel drive. Its |
| about too much maintenance costs. | | | | driveline configuration sends power only to either |
| In general, by handling a FWD vehicle you can | | | | of the two front or rear wheels until there is a |
| reasonably expect stability, predictability and its | | | | need for additional traction. It can become an |
| dependability during the winter season. Since the | | | | AWD only for a limited time. It is effective to |
| vehicle's major weight is concentrated in the | | | | prevent complete loss of traction but is generally |
| front, driven wheels, it increases the traction. | | | | not recommended for heavy off-road drives. The |
| Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Nissan Altima | | | | Toyota RAV4 AWD and Honda CR-V AWD are |
| are first-rate examples of FWD vehicles. | | | | examples of the part-time AWD. |
| Rear-wheel drive or RWD - this was once the | | | | Part-time four-wheel drive or Part-time 4WD - |
| automobiles' standard driveline. Having a vehicle | | | | this kind of drivetrain systems usually sends |
| with a rear-wheel drive systems means that the | | | | engine power into the rear wheels, always. Once |
| engine power is concentrated on the two rear | | | | there is a loss of traction, the power is sent to all |
| wheels. This gives out the effect that the vehicle | | | | the four wheels by a hydraulic, mechanical or |
| is being pushed down the road by its two rear | | | | electrical switching system. It cannot be used |
| wheels. Having a vehicle with RWD configuration is | | | | often on dry pavements since the mechanicals |
| not advisable for winter tractions although most | | | | could become damaged. The Chevrolet Avalanche |
| of them feature some type of stability control or | | | | 4WD, Nissan Titan 4WD and Jeep Wrangler are |
| traction that helps overcome this disadvantage. | | | | among the examples of the Part-time 4WD. |
| Despite this fact, RWD vehicles are usually | | | | |