AWD v. 4WD

[Backyardhockey]

Old member with a new log on. looking at new-to -me tow vehicals. 2006 Nissan Pathfinder, Mercury Mountainier or Buick Rainier. My main concern is reliability. The domestics use AWD while the Nissan has a switch to go from 2 to 4wd. Any experience/knowledge concerning these drive systems? I'm not an off roader and don't have any problems with snow. Also, does anybody think the car co's will go to employee pricing for SUV's anytime soon?
Thanx.

 

[quackaddict1]

Re: AWD v. 4WD

AWD simply moves power from one wheel to another as the traction dictates, you still have a one wheeled wonder. true 4wd is the ticket, both axels have power and if you have locking diffs you have all 4 wheels with power to them.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: AWD v. 4WD

Either system is pretty bullet proof. Operating differences are obvious. With a manual (switch or lever selectable system) the front differential and transfer case a shifted using vacuum diagrams or electric solenoids. AWD systems fall into two categories but the difference is more in the type of vehicle they are installed in rather than a big difference between types. Even true SUV's can have AWD systems that automatically switch to AWD when wheel slippage is detected. On the front wheel drive crossovers, AWD is generally a split torque system where the front wheels do most of the work and the rears come into play when slippage is detected.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: AWD v. 4WD

they will and are going to something, all kinds of gimmicks. right now the $2.99 a gallon that Chrysler is doing, at 25 miles per gallon, equates to +- $500.00 per year. that's the same as $1500 cash back, or discount. if you don't have problem with snow,etc. the 2-4 is better as the tires don't wear as bad as all wheel drive. what makes you think you need 4 wheel drive anyway?

 

[marquette]

Re: AWD v. 4WD

i can't speak to the exact vehicles you are talking about but i can speak to the awd vs 4wd. i have owned 2 chev astro awd, 1 ford areostar awd, 1 chrysler T&C awd, 3 jeep cheokees and a mitsibishi montero. my boat towing has been of 14-17 foot aluminum or fiberglass boats about 1500 miles a year. and the unknown thousands of miles chasing a hockey player.
for an all around drive i like the awd the best. it's stable in all conditions and has never had a mechanical failure. the chev had engine problems, the ford 2 transmissions but the transfer case zero problems. the chrysler has 124,000 miles so far and no problems. of the 3 different awd systems the chrysler has been the best for traction. it's primarly a fwd that engages the rear wheels when it needs them and it has impressed me. but as a boat hauler it's not my first choice. it's built on a car frame rather than a truck frame and doesn't handle the hitch weight as well and has very little ground clearance. not good for rutted or rough launch ramps.
the jeeps have been indestuctable and are good boat haulers. their short turning radius and size lets you back a boat into some really tight areas. i have 1 with a true 4wd system that is pull the lever and mechanically engage the 4wd. (old technolgy but reliable). it is no differant that a rear wheel drive on a launch ramp unless you remember to put it in 4wd before backing down the ramp. most 4wd's need to move forward a little before engaging so you always need to anticipate trouble before you get in trouble. the other cherokee has a newer 4wd system that can actually be used on the hwy like an awd and a locked in 4wd mode also. again i just pull it into the awd mode before i launch the boat.
the advantage to the 4wd is that with the right vehicle you may get a little better gas milage. advantage to awd is that it is always there rain, snow, ice or slippery ramp ready for when you need it.
for me i prefer awd for my everyday vehicle and hwy hauler. but for deep in the woods on a logging road in mud and snow i want hard core 4wd with ground clearance. that's why i own both.

 

[Backyardhockey]

Re: AWD v. 4WD

. what makes you think you need 4 wheel drive anyway?

Fear of the unknown ramp! Almost all of these vehicks come with AWD or 4wd (Pathfinder). While I have no problems driving in snow, I do live in Chicago and go to Michigan or Wisconsin (skiing and hockey) in the winter, so the extra drive wheels might come in handy. I have read info about AWD where if one tire is bad you have to replace all of them! The writer indicated this was on old systems. Any thoughts on this?

 

[MikDee]

Re: AWD v. 4WD

Ok, I went from a New 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe Lx with the 2.7 V6 Auto 4WD, to a 2005 Tucson LX 2.7 V6 Auto. AWD, both vehicles have the same engine, and an automatic electronic coupling to engage the rear wheels, But I lost 5mpg on the highway, & 2 mpg around town with the AWD Tucson! even though it's lighter, & more aerodynamic. After getting 20-24 around town, & 24-30 on the highway with the 4WD Santa Fe, I'm livid with the fact that the AWD Tucson only gets 20-22 around town, & 20-24 on the highway! Don't get me wrong, we Love both vehicles, there's nothing better on the road to drive IMO.

I haven't noticed a difference in the drive systems, between driving either vehicle, they both are excellent in bad weather, especially snow, but the Tucson has built in ESP (electronic stabilization control) which comes on by default (annoying!), But mostly I leave it off, I have to turn it off manually with each key start! (it uses a bit more gas when on ) So, basically you are stuck with modern technology, AWD, and Electronic stabiliztion, which burns more gas, and cannot be permanently disabled. But theoretically keeps you safer The best part is these are 5 star rated crash vehicles, & the Santa Fe had a 4:56 differential, and the Tucson has a 4:20 differential, and come standard with Antilock 4 Wheel Disc brakes, and traction control.

P.S. I'm on my 3rd set of tires at 60k miles on the Tucson! Whereas, I got 87k miles on the Santa Fe tires, and they were still good till winter when I traded it in, I've heard from many tire guys, and I'm living proof, that AWD vehicles eat through tires in no time!

 

[4.0l sahara]

Re: AWD v. 4WD

You can't beat the good old transfer case that you shift into 4wd and throw a set of lockers in the mix and you have a beast. But awd is fine too.

 

[marquette]

Re: AWD v. 4WD

tire replacement depends on how worn the tires are. yes it is true that if you have worn tires and 1 goes bad you have to replace all 4 with awd. a good tire dealer can tell you if you need to replace all 4 tires. they measure the diameter of the 3 remaining tires and compare the daimeter to a new tire. there is a allowable size difference but it is very small. some systems will let you replace them in pairs within a little larger tolerance. the key is to find a dealer that is willing to check the specs and do the measuring rather than just say you need 4 new tires.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: AWD v. 4WD

We bought an AWD Chrysler Pacifica in January. It has 48k miles on it on what I assume to be the stock Michelins. They are pretty worn out now but would still pass inspection and are perfectly evenly worn. So I wouldn't say AWD eats tires.

 

[Thinblueline22]

Re: AWD v. 4WD

I have a 2003 Dingo, I mean Durango. I have AWD all the time and selectable 4WD. I don't think I have used the 4WD yet, even in our Minnesota winters. The only drawback with this particular beast is that it gets TERRIBLE mileage. I think that it is because of the AWD and the V8 engine.

 

[Fingernip]

Re: AWD v. 4WD

Im on my 2nd AWD astro... first one was a beater and i decided to upgrade. I absolutely love having an AWD vehicle. As for them being 1 wheel peelers thats not true in all cases. My astro has a g80 rear(limited slip) and an open front diff. In snow it will spin all 4 or at least 3 no prob. power is split 40/60 front to rear.

 

[KM2]

Re: AWD v. 4WD

AWD sounds like what you need. The one advantage of a traditional 4x4 system is the "low range" transfer case. Nice when off roading or pulling stumps etc.

There is almost as many different types of four wheel drive as thier is vehicles. Here's what I know about your choices:

Mercury: full time all wheel drive. It always is sending power to the front and rear. No shifting, no forgetting to turn it on/off. On when you hit a unexpected slick spot on the road. Since both front tires should have good traction on the ramp it will work excellent.


Note on tire wear: A properly functioning AWD should not cause any excess tire wear. One of the differences between AWD & 4x4 is a differential in the transfer case. This allows the front and rear to spin at different speeds. i.e. when you turn the wheels won't "scrub"

 

[MikDee]

Re: AWD v. 4WD

We bought an AWD Chrysler Pacifica in January. It has 48k miles on it on what I assume to be the stock Michelins. They are pretty worn out now but would still pass inspection and are perfectly evenly worn. So I wouldn't say AWD eats tires.

Well, the O.E. tires B.F.Goodrich Traction T/A spec tires lasted only 13k miles! I was in getting some body work done, and my body shop guy said: "Your tires are down to the wear indicators!" A brand new car?
I contacted Hyundai, who advised calling B.F. Goodrich, so I did, and took it to a local tire shop who was a Goodyear distributor, they prorated the tires, at 70% off, so I got all new better grade B.F.Goodrich Traction T/A H-rated tires, with free rotation for life every 6k miles, & my watching recommended tire pressure like a hawk,,, this time 22k miles later, they were shot! And All were worn Pefectly Evenly! I was offered the same deal, but gave it up in disgust, then I put all Cordovan tires (made by Cooper) on the Tucson, because I had 2 new ones leftover that never got used from another car, and proceeded to get only 30k miles on them! again, they all wore out well, & evenly. Finally, I recently put a new style Cooper tire with 680 tread wear rating on the Tucson now, so I'm up to the 4th set of tires at 60K miles! and we're not hard on tires, I can usually get 40-60k on most tires, as on all my previous vehicles.

All I know, is I've had tire people tell me a lot of these multibrand small AWD vehicles go through tires quickly!

 

[KM2]

Re: AWD v. 4WD

Mike,


What size tire? Does your car run a thin tire and what does a your vehicle weigh? My mothers Ford Escape (AWD) has Cooper discoverer ht's and they are lasting great. 30k on them and they look like new. It's a 235 tire on 16 inch rims.

Interesting and confusing issue.

 

[MikDee]

Re: AWD v. 4WD

Mike,


What size tire? Does your car run a thin tire and what does a your vehicle weigh? My mothers Ford Escape (AWD) has Cooper discoverer ht's and they are lasting great. 30k on them and they look like new. It's a 235 tire on 16 inch rims.

Interesting and confusing issue.

Stock 235/60/16" size, it weighs approx 3300-3400lbs, and drives great, smoother then silk up to 80mph now with the new Cooper CS4 all season touring tire. They're supposed to last 70k miles, but all the previous tires were rated for 60k miles?

 

[Jerico]

Re: AWD v. 4WD

My Bravada AWD was great until it broke - 3 times. I gave up and pulled the fuse to disable it. The '88 Pathfinder with 4WD is as solid today as it was 20 years ago. My experience has been the more gadgets its got the more $$$$ its gonna cost when it breaks.

Don't know if its the same on all AWD's, but on the Bravada the tires have to be within a certain diameter of each other or it feels like the drivetrain is going to explode in slow turns. On the bright side, it does remind you to keep the tires rotated and the pressure correct...

 

[donnymac]

Re: AWD v. 4WD

My Bravada AWD was great until it broke - 3 times. I gave up and pulled the fuse to disable it. The '88 Pathfinder with 4WD is as solid today as it was 20 years ago. My experience has been the more gadgets its got the more $$$$ its gonna cost when it breaks.

Don't know if its the same on all AWD's, but on the Bravada the tires have to be within a certain diameter of each other or it feels like the drivetrain is going to explode in slow turns. On the bright side, it does remind you to keep the tires rotated and the pressure correct...

The other bonus of a Pathfinder of that year is it has a frame where as the new ones don't

 

[Backyardhockey]

Re: AWD v. 4WD

The other bonus of a Pathfinder of that year is it has a frame where as the new ones don't

I believe they went back to a frame in 2005

 

[greggholmes]

Re: AWD v. 4WD

i have a 2005 Santa Fe awd and it still had plenty of tread left at 68000 miles.