There are several things to consider before you buy a vehicle. The drivetrain you need is one of them. Even when you know the kind of car you want to buy, you have to decide whether you need a 4 Wheel or 2 Wheel drive.

The 4 Wheel drive and the 2 wheel drive are types of drivetrains, and the drivetrain may be among the minutest understood parts of a vehicle. This misunderstanding is mainly because the drive train and the powertrain are most times confusing to those who do not really understand them.

So what then is the drivetrain?

After a complete engine cycle, chemical energy (fuel) converts to mechanical energy (the power to move). The drivetrain is the group of parts that work together to transfer the power produced in your engine to your wheels so your car can move.

It is important to note that the drivetrain is not a single part of your car, and it has several arrangements. The drivetrain is responsible for making a significant impact on how the vehicle handles slippery roads, either in rain or snow and unpaved roads. On a car, the drivetrain includes:

• The Transmission

The transmission makes contact with the flywheel and can control the amount of power transferred to the rest of the drivetrain.

• The Driveshaft

This part is a long, straight shaft that runs from the transmission to the rear axle. It spins to deliver a differential in the rear axle. The differential transfers power from the driveshaft to the wheels.

• The Axles.
• The Wheels.

The types of drivetrain include:

• The 2 Wheel drivetrain: this comprises the front-wheel drivetrain and the rear-wheel drivetrain.
• The 4 Wheel drivetrain
• The All-wheel drivetrain.

For this article, we will discuss only the two found in most vehicles. These are the 2 Wheel drivetrain and the 4-wheel drivetrain.And just for your information, the difference between the drivetrain and the powertrain is that the former covers the things that make the cargo, excluding the car engine, while the latter (powertrain) encompasses everything that makes the car move, including the engine. So it is safe to say that the drivetrain is a part of the powertrain.

What is 2-wheel drive?

A 2 Wheel Drive or 2WD is a drivetrain where the engine powers two wheels, and the other two are allowed to spin. Most 2WD vehicles are passenger vehicles because these vehicles help are lighter and help save fuel since the engine only uses energy to move two wheels.

Types of 2 Wheel Drivetrain

Vehicles with 2WD are either set up with front-wheel drive (FWD), where; the power controls to the front wheels, or rear-wheel drive (RWD), where; power controls to the back wheel.

• Front-wheel drive

A car with a front-wheel drive has all of the engine power sent to the two front wheels. This drivetrain is the most common 2WD system for passenger vehicles because of its reduced total vehicle weight since there is no heavy four or all-wheel-drive system to carry around.

Since the weight of the transmission and engine is balanced directly on top of the front wheels, the car is provided with much better traction, stability, predictability, and dependability than RWD when you are climbing hills or driving on slippery roads.

The FWD has a much lower production cost and much better fuel economy since the engine only needs to power two wheels. Vehicles with FWD also provide more space for passengers and cargo. Examples of vehicles with FWD include the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord.

• Rear-wheel drive

The RWD is the opposite of the FWD because it has all the engine power sent to the back two wheels. The RWD does provide balance and a superior braking and handling system. It does not work well in areas with icy winters because of the low traction level.

This drive is found mainly on pickup trucks, sports cars, luxury cars, and older SUVs, and from these examples, it is a thing to note that it is not as common as the FWD. Especially in passenger vehicles. The vehicles with RWD tend to have quicker initial acceleration in dry conditions.

Pickup trucks with RWD have better traction when towing or hauling heavy loads. Examples of vehicles with RWD include the Lexus IS Series and the BMW 3 Series.

As a driver or vehicle owner, know that FWD systems are designed more for safety, especially in harsh weather conditions. And the RWD systems are designed for performance, which makes you slightly better than many drivers out there. Lastly, we have a decent article on the best shocks for an F150 2WD, it would be nice if you read it.

What is 4 Wheel drive?

How 4 wheel drive works[/caption]From the explanation of what a 2WD is, the short description is just in the same pattern. The four wheels of the 4WD vehicles share the load making 4WD vehicles; more durable and sturdier than the 2WD.The 4WD, also called 4x4 (four by four).

This name refers to a two-axle vehicle drivetrain expressly capable of providing rotation power to all of its wheels simultaneously. It is not to be confused with the All-wheel drive that also brings torque to all its wheels.

However, 4WD is typically more robust and rugged because its design makes it suitable to handle off-road driving and often comes with pickup trucks and other vehicles intended for that purpose.

Though recently, it has become increasingly in passenger vehicles like SUVs and crossovers. This addition gives you, the driver, maximum traction and control when climbing steep hills, driving over rocks and boulders.

Modes of the 4WD system

The 4WD systems we have today to operate on one of the following bases:

• A full-time or permanent basis: Here, all four wheels stay engaged at all times.
• A part-time or manual basis: In this case, the driver has to switch manually between 2WD and 4WD.
• An automatic basis: As the name explains, the vehicle can automatically shift between 2WD and 4WD depending on the roads conditions.

Therefore, it is essential to know that vehicles with part-time or automatic 4WD have better fuel efficiency than vehicles with permanent 4WD. Since keeping all four wheels engaged at all times takes more power. Examples of vehicles with 4WD include the Range Rover and the Ford F150.

Difference between 4 Wheels and 2 Wheel drive

The differences between the two drivetrains are similar to the relationship between the pros and cons of the two. This relationship makes it easier to decide on what you need.

• 4WD vehicles are more expensive than 2WD models.
• 2WD automobiles use less energy to power the wheels and thus are more fuel-efficient than the 4WD.
• 2WD cars are much lighter, so they are more agile than the 4WD that weigh more.
• 4WD vehicles give you more power than 2WD models.
• 4WD vehicles are a lot more versatile when it comes to handling terrains than the 2WD.
• Many 4WD systems allow you to switch to 2WD when you do not need the 4WD power.
• 2WD vehicles cost less to maintain than vehicles with a 4WD system.

Common questions

A common confusion you might have picked up while reading this article would be what then is the difference between the All-wheel drive (AWD) and the 4WD?.

The world of these two drive trains is more complicated when you take a closer look, but the simple summary is this. The 4WD comes into play more when driving off-road and on rugged terrain.

While the AWD is better suited for sloppy winter streets, mud, and looser surfaces like sand. A computer system usually controls AWD vehicles by that automatically shifting power to whichever wheels need it most, giving you added traction with no extra effort on your part.

And this system stays on at all times. If you are looking for the best grip while driving, AWD and 4WD systems tend to perform better on wet roads.

Conclusion and final words from the expert

Although we did not quite speak much about this in this article. It is cardinal to know that tires make quite a difference no matter the drivetrain you decide on. Installing four matching tires for the appropriate season makes for a smoother, safer drive and gives you more control.

Now, because we have several things to consider when buying a vehicle, shopping for a new automobile can be mind-boggling with several things to think about.

Especially if you are stepping out of your comfort zone. When you begin to ponder on “which system is best for me?” please remember that, albeit unfortunate, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

It would be best if your decisions hinge on your situation (especially your financial situation), your location, and your everyday driving habits, along with other things like the availability of parts.

Be thorough and do your research. There is also no shame in test-driving each option you are considering before making your final decision. And step by step, with each crossing out on the list, you would be able to pick the most suitable car.

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