Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: VehiCROSS: AWD or Full-Time 4WD

  1. #1
    Member Since
    Feb 2006
    Location
    2001,Kaiser Silver, VX, 0563
    Posts
    4,767
    Thanked: 0

    VehiCROSS: AWD or Full-Time 4WD

    just curious what thoughts on it are? i pulled the 4wd sticker off the back door some time ago and since ive been pretty worried that if i were to get towed without that sticker and they dragged the wheels and destroyed the transmission/xcase they wouldnt be liable.. so i put on awd stickers.. then realized hmm what is it?



    "Engineers believe if it ain't broke, it doesn't have enough features yet"

  2. #2
    Member Since
    Apr 2007
    Location
    2001, Proton #1238
    Posts
    1,409
    Thanked: 0
    Its 4WD, AWD generally means you don’t have a 2 speed low rang transfer case or its not off-road capable. Generally AWD means not as good.
    Cars designed by spreadsheets make sense. Cars designed by engineers make history.

  3. #3
    Member Since
    Jun 2002
    Location
    2001 Ebony S/C #1304
    Posts
    3,647
    Thanked: 10
    I consider us the redheaded stepchild of both worlds.

    AWD with 4WD capabilities.
    Gary Noonan
    '01 S/C VX / '18 Forester XT

  4. #4
    Member Since
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Former owner of Supercharged #0604, now in withdrawal
    Posts
    1,484
    Thanked: 0
    Or 4WD with AWD capabilities?

    I was just thinking about this same subject the other day, but not for towing reasons (although since you mention it, that's a pretty important consideration). My thought on the matter was that we are closer to 4WD mechanically since our front and rear axles are always connected to some extent (never fully decoupled) when the vehicle is running.

    Ooo... there's a good VX tech question - does the ToD decouple the axles when it is NOT running?

  5. #5
    Member Since
    Apr 2007
    Location
    2001, Proton #1238
    Posts
    1,409
    Thanked: 0
    Ok this is the Wikipedia definition.

    "All-wheel drive (AWD) is often used to describe a "full time" 4WD that may be used on dry pavement without destroying the drivetrain (It should be noted that "Full-Time" 4WD can be disengaged and the center differential can be locked, essentially turning it into regular 4WD. On the other hand, AWD cannot be disengaged and the center differential cannot be locked.)"

    center differential = transfer case
    Last edited by kodiak : 06/11/2008 at 11:37 AM

  6. #6
    Member Since
    Feb 2006
    Location
    2001,Kaiser Silver, VX, 0563
    Posts
    4,767
    Thanked: 0
    from what i read a full time 4wd means that all 4 wheels have equal torque to them safely on dry pavement... awd is generally all wheels spin, with variable torque.. but with no low range

    who knows.. now i dont have to worry about liability of getting towed improperly at least.. not that i should be getting towed or anything.. just nice peace of mind

  7. #7
    Member Since
    Apr 2007
    Location
    2001, Proton #1238
    Posts
    1,409
    Thanked: 0
    Quote Originally Posted by etlsport View Post
    from what i read a full time 4wd means that all 4 wheels have equal torque to them safely on dry pavement... awd is generally all wheels spin, with variable torque.. but with no low range

    who knows.. now i dont have to worry about liability of getting towed improperly at least.. not that i should be getting towed or anything.. just nice peace of mind
    Full time 4wd is AWD + the ability to lock the transfer case. That is what you do when you put it in to 4_Low. AWD doesn’t have that ability.

  8. #8
    Member Since
    Aug 2007
    Location
    2001, Proton, VX 1394
    Posts
    448
    Thanked: 0
    i like the AWD w/ 4WD capability.
    and as for the towing...... FLATBED
    just my .02

    Richard

  9. #9
    Member Since
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Former owner of Supercharged #0604, now in withdrawal
    Posts
    1,484
    Thanked: 0
    Quote Originally Posted by So-CalVX View Post
    and as for the towing...... FLATBED Richard
    +1!!!

  10. #10
    Member Since
    Feb 2006
    Location
    2001,Kaiser Silver, VX, 0563
    Posts
    4,767
    Thanked: 0
    Quote Originally Posted by VehiGAZ View Post
    +1!!!
    yea that was the reason i put the stickers on in the first place.. so anyone towing would know to use a flatbed, because i pulled the 4wd off the back

  11. #11
    Member Since
    Jun 2005
    Location
    01 Dragon Green VX 1286
    Posts
    423
    Thanked: 0
    Quote Originally Posted by etlsport View Post
    yea that was the reason i put the stickers on in the first place.. so anyone towing would know to use a flatbed, because i pulled the 4wd off the back
    was just thinking and couldn't help but wonder.. are ya planning on illegally parking or having the Repo man stop by soon?

    I had mine towed a couple weeks back when I screwed up a tire.. the first words out of my mouth after hello and help.. were "I need a roll back please"

  12. #12
    Member Since
    Feb 2006
    Location
    2001,Kaiser Silver, VX, 0563
    Posts
    4,767
    Thanked: 0
    lol no but i used to live in philly.. and commute there often still.. and they love to tow vehicles.. plus i just started parking at a train station out here and they have a really bad system for paying daily and im just waiting for the day when my payment doesnt register and i get towed.. better safe than sorry

  13. #13
    Member Since
    Aug 2005
    Location
    1999, silver, 0887
    Posts
    1,408
    Thanked: 3
    What we have definitionally speaking is "automatic four wheel drive". As long as they don't tow by the primary drive rear wheels you should be all right. There is no LSD on the front which is the part that gets screwed up when towing. Let me know if this for some reason is not correct? I've had mine towed this way with no ill consequences.

Similar Threads

  1. Full time TOD switch
    By Otwobme in forum VX Talk...
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 01/01/2015, 05:08 PM
  2. Heater/aircon fan on full all of the time
    By David Wiltshire in forum VX Troubleshooting...
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 07/04/2013, 08:28 AM
  3. Full sized spare
    By alterastro in forum United Kingdom Special Topics
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 03/05/2010, 12:00 PM
  4. Black Full Size
    By So-CalVX in forum VX Modifications...
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 08/22/2008, 01:02 PM
  5. Can The VX be towed full time?
    By crfandy in forum VX Modifications...
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 10/23/2005, 06:32 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
$lv_vb_eventforums_eventdetails