What is 4WD?

4WD is the abbreviation for 4-

Wheel Drive and drives all four
wheels using transfer, etc.
There are two types of 4WD, full-
time 4WD and part-time 4WD. 4WD
vehicles can also be classified into
those based on FF (Front-engine,
Front-wheel-drive) and those based
on FR (Front-engine, Rear-wheel-
drive). Further-more, 4WD vehicles
can also be classified into those for
driving off-road and those for driving
on-road.

Types of 4WD
4WD can be classified into the
following types according to
differences in the drive type and
control.
Advantages of 4WD
A vehicle must be capable of driving on various types of roads, not only rough roads or snowy roads,
but also on roads that surface characteristics change due to changing weather conditions.
The best way to drive on rough roads is with a vehicle where all four wheels transmit power.
In this respect, 4WD vehicles have several outstanding advantages over FF, FR or MR (Mid ship-
engine, Rear-wheel-drive) 2WD vehicles.
1. Cornering stability
Since power is transmitted equally by all four tires instead of by only two, the load on each tire is
reduced and the tires' cornering force can be effectively utilized, providing excellent stable cornering.

2. Straight-line stability
With 4WD, since the amount of surplus grip provided by each tire is increased, external turbulence
has no effect on the vehicle. Thus stable straight-line stability is achieved.

3. Starting and acceleration performance

The amount of tire grip with 4WD is approximately double that of 2WD vehicles, so even if the vehicle
is equipped with a high-output engine, the tires do not spin when the vehicle starts off or during
acceleration. This greatly improves starting and acceleration performance.

4. Hill-climbing performance
Since the available power is approximately double that of a 2WD vehicle, a 4WD vehicle can climb
hills that a 2WD vehicle is incapable of climbing.

5. Driving on snowy/rough roads

In 4WD, since all four wheels are transmitting power, the power applied to the road can be double
that is provided by 2WD vehicles on snowy roads and drive-through performance on roads with low
coefficients of friction (∝) is outstanding.
Greater power is needed when driving on sandy, muddy, or extremely rough roads. Since all four
wheels are transmitting power with 4WD, the front and rear wheels help each other, and high drive-
through performance is realized.

Disadvantages of 4WD
1. Tight corner braking phenomenon
When the propeller shaft between the front and rear axles is connected directly, the differences
between the rotations of the front and rear axles cannot be absorbed.
This causes undue force to be brought to bear on the drive train. On roads with low coefficients of
friction (∝), if any of the tires slips, the difference between the rotations of the front and rear axles can
be absorbed, but on roads with high coefficients of friction (∝), such as dry paved roads, it is difficult
for slipping to occur, creating a condition very similar to braking.
This is called the "tight corner braking phenomenon".

2. Weight is increased
The number of parts increases, so the weight increases.

3. Cost is increased
The more complex construction and the increased number of parts result in an increases in the cost
of the vehicle.

4. Construction is complex
A transfer and propeller shaft, differential, etc., are required in order to distribute power to the front
and rear wheels, making the construction complex.

5. Sources of vibration and noise increase

The increase in the number of rotating parts (transfer, propeller shaft, etc.) causes an increase in the
number of possible sources of vibration and noise.