Required reading for AWD/4WD owners...
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AudiWorld Super User
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Required reading for AWD/4WD owners...
Of course we know this stuff but it's amazing how many people buy AWD for safety but do not really understand what AWD means for traction and handling. As much time as people spend in their cars you would think that they would be a little more educated about driving and the cars themselves.<ul><li><a href="http://autos.msn.com/advice/standardart.aspx?contentid=4021835&src=News&am p;brand=volvo">Do you need 4WD?</a></li></ul>
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Apr 2001
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I think there are a lot of people with distorted ideas on what AWD can do.
Even on this list, you get people who claim better grip around corners, and other nonsense, as if the wheels are magnetically sucked to the pavement. Given that AWD cars lose at least 5% of their efficiency (compared to 2WD), there is a good reason to spread the word.
I love AWD, but for the right reasons.
I love AWD, but for the right reasons.
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AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,181
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From: Seattle WA
So the next time you swerve onto a gravel shoulder to avoid stopped traffic...
which drive system would you rather have?
Easy answer-AWD.
The next time you encounter deep standing water at freeway speeds and your car changes it's intended path, which drive system would you rather have?
Easy answer-AWD.
Simple questions with simple answers, when you lose traction with one or more wheels without a backup system to help out, your chances of recovering from the lack of traction without hitting something are not good.
This theory assumes you are using the throttle to straighten your car out and safely stop or regain control.
If you have multiple tires looking for traction you have a better chance that they will find grip before a one/two wheel drive system would and minimize the trouble in accident avoidance.
Does AWD help in braking? No, unless the differentials are locked when the brake is applied. In everyday driving a trained driver could use AWD to his/her advantage when emergency braking.
Since most drivers unfortunately are not trained
ABS will have to be the standard for braking.
Under acceleration (diffs locked looking for grip) All Wheel Drive will always outperform one or two wheel drive.
This article is written with qoutes taken from people who have not done the required homework on AWD.
I can go on and on about the insurance policy AWD provides.
Easy answer-AWD.
The next time you encounter deep standing water at freeway speeds and your car changes it's intended path, which drive system would you rather have?
Easy answer-AWD.
Simple questions with simple answers, when you lose traction with one or more wheels without a backup system to help out, your chances of recovering from the lack of traction without hitting something are not good.
This theory assumes you are using the throttle to straighten your car out and safely stop or regain control.
If you have multiple tires looking for traction you have a better chance that they will find grip before a one/two wheel drive system would and minimize the trouble in accident avoidance.
Does AWD help in braking? No, unless the differentials are locked when the brake is applied. In everyday driving a trained driver could use AWD to his/her advantage when emergency braking.
Since most drivers unfortunately are not trained
ABS will have to be the standard for braking.
Under acceleration (diffs locked looking for grip) All Wheel Drive will always outperform one or two wheel drive.
This article is written with qoutes taken from people who have not done the required homework on AWD.
I can go on and on about the insurance policy AWD provides.
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