All wheel drive vs. front wheel drive SUV's

Paul L wrote:
> what is the safety advantage of AWD vs. front wheel drive SUV's? All I
> know is that AWD's don't get stuck in the mud as easily. Any other good
> points?

A FWD SUV is an overpriced vanity car that is most likely a mainenance
nightmare, and may even get some odd stares or a sound ass kicking at
the local chuckwagon bar.

An AWD SUV is an overpriced vanity car that is most likely a mainenance
nightmare, and will leave you questioning your motives as you sign that
monthly $500 car payment.
 >> Stay informed about: All wheel drive vs. front wheel drive SUV's 

"Paul L" <pstudy.TakeThisOut@netzero.net> wrote in message
news:FaW2h.1447$Mw.1282@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...
> what is the safety advantage of AWD vs. front wheel drive SUV's? All I
> know is that AWD's don't get stuck in the mud as easily. Any other good
> points?

When comparing AWD vs. FWD:

An AWD vehicle will get better traction and handle better in the rain, snow,
and other slippery surfaces like leaf-covered streets. In a climate like CA
where it doesn't rain all summer, the first few rains of the season make the
oils rise off of the road surface, making them very slippery. An AWD
vehicle will also be slightly more stable in conditions where hydroplaning
occurs.

On the negative side, the AWD hardware weighs more and has more drag on the
drivetrain so it will get poorer fuel economy, and there are 2 extra
differentials to maintain.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
 >> Stay informed about: All wheel drive vs. front wheel drive SUV's 

Elmo P. Shagnasty wrote:
> In article <gfadnWDy_6U8VtHYnZ2dnUVZ_q2dnZ2d.TakeThisOut@ez2.net>,
> "Jeff Strickland" <crwlr.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > AWD vehicles are driven by all four tires, so they are inherently more
> > stable and predictable in adverse conditions.
>
> False.
>
> A two wheel drive car with snow tires (or tires otherwise appropriate
> for conditions) will, on the road, always be more capable than an all
> wheel drive vehicle with all-season or otherwise inappropriate tires.

Talk about stating the obvious
 >> Stay informed about: All wheel drive vs. front wheel drive SUV's 

This message is not archived
 >> Stay informed about: All wheel drive vs. front wheel drive SUV's 

One advantage to AWD over FWD is the torque is biased to the rear in most
AWD versions, (although some are 50/50) thus reducing the dangerous tendency
to loose steering control upon deceleration that is common with FWD.


mike


"Paul L" <pstudy DeleteThis @netzero.net> wrote in message
news:FaW2h.1447$Mw.1282@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...
> what is the safety advantage of AWD vs. front wheel drive SUV's? All I
> know is that AWD's don't get stuck in the mud as easily. Any other good
> points?
 >> Stay informed about: All wheel drive vs. front wheel drive SUV's 

On Sat, 04 Nov 2006 12:26:39 -0500, "Elmo P. Shagnasty"
<elmop DeleteThis @nastydesigns.com> wrote:

> In article <gfadnWDy_6U8VtHYnZ2dnUVZ_q2dnZ2d DeleteThis @ez2.net>,
> "Jeff Strickland" <crwlr DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > AWD vehicles are driven by all four tires, so they are inherently more
> > stable and predictable in adverse conditions.
>
> False.
>
> A two wheel drive car with snow tires (or tires otherwise appropriate
> for conditions) will, on the road, always be more capable than an all
> wheel drive vehicle with all-season or otherwise inappropriate tires.

Not true -- it depends on the conditions!
 >> Stay informed about: All wheel drive vs. front wheel drive SUV's 

"Jeff Strickland" <crwlr.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:gfadnWDy_6U8VtHYnZ2dnUVZ_q2dnZ2d@ez2.net...
> AWD vehicles are driven by all four tires, so they are inherently more
> stable and predictable in adverse conditions. Having said that, there is
> not a car on the road that can overcome sheer stupidity.
>

That last statement sure is true. Several years back I had a 91 camry and
was in a town about 30 miles away when it was snowing. The 4WDs were
passing me on the interstate, but about 5 miles down the road I was passing
them back as they were in the ditch. They thought just casue they could go
it was fine to go fast, they did not realise they could not turn or stop
much if any beter than a 2 wheel car.
 >> Stay informed about: All wheel drive vs. front wheel drive SUV's 

This message is not archived
 >> Stay informed about: All wheel drive vs. front wheel drive SUV's 

"Bonehenge" <DwightSchrute DeleteThis @DunderMifflin.com> wrote in message
news:773qk21vho2l6eif1pv22spsb9pnh2hl7o@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 04 Nov 2006 12:26:39 -0500, "Elmo P. Shagnasty"
> <elmop DeleteThis @nastydesigns.com> wrote:
>
>>In article <gfadnWDy_6U8VtHYnZ2dnUVZ_q2dnZ2d DeleteThis @ez2.net>,
>> "Jeff Strickland" <crwlr DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>>> AWD vehicles are driven by all four tires, so they are inherently more
>>> stable and predictable in adverse conditions.
>>
>>False.
>>
>>A two wheel drive car with snow tires (or tires otherwise appropriate
>>for conditions) will, on the road, always be more capable than an all
>>wheel drive vehicle with all-season or otherwise inappropriate tires.
>
>
> Not in my experience. I've had plenty of examples of all of them, and
> yes, I buy good snow tires.
>
> Also, snow is not the only "adverse" condition.

Unless one has to drive REGULARLY in a rural area, snow tires are marketed
for suckers. For most URBAN people, you do NOT need snow tires--GOOD all
season tires are adequate. I've lived in Edmonton Alberta, Canada..in the
great white north for SIXTY years and have been driving for 46 years.....in
all sorts of snow and ice conditions. Yeah, I've had to use a shovel the odd
time but that was usually when I insisted on parking in a spot that had 2
feet of snow.
 >> Stay informed about: All wheel drive vs. front wheel drive SUV's 

"Mike Hunter" <mikehunt2.DeleteThis@mailcity.com> wrote in message
news:4LadnQv3V6ShTNHYUSdV9g@ptd.net...
> One advantage to AWD over FWD is the torque is biased to the rear in most
> AWD versions, (although some are 50/50) thus reducing the dangerous
> tendency to loose steering control upon deceleration that is common with
> FWD.

Actually, no, where torque bias exists, its generally to the front wheels. I
don't know of any NORMALLY FWD car that has an AWD variant that biases
torque to the rear. There's lots of RWD vehicles with AWD/4WD variants that
runs to the front (most SUVs).

Examples are
- Honda CRV which is about 65/35 front rear (look at the diff ratios and the
rear diff hydro lock system)
- Chrysler "AWD" minivans are about 75/25 when its actually working, and
maybe 10% rear when its not, due to the rear drive being derived from the RH
front axle. Its an expensive system that only works because there's an
ABS/Traction system that gives limited AWD. Lose the ABS system and the
"AWD" becomes just excess weight.
- Early Mitsibishi Lancer GSR / EVO 1, EVO 2 with the W5M31 transmission
with about 65/35 bias to the front. The rear diff ratio was numerically
lower on the rear. Mitsu found this was unsuitable (and fragile) and
switched to the W5M33 series, see below.

Examples of 50/50 in normal operation are
- Mitsubishi Eclipse/Expo/Outlander/EVO 3+ Series with the center
diff/viscous coupler (W5M33 and W5M40 series transmissions and variants).
Front / Rear diff ratios are (almost) the same. Torque can vary somewhat
automatically F<-->R. In extreme situations the center viscous coupler locks
and you get back to 50-50.

-Audi Quatro uses an automaticlly controlled center diff that can be
progressively locked. Competition versions use (AFAIK) a Torsen diff.

- Subaru. Depending on one of at least three types of AWD (std, automatic
and WRX-std). The most capable is the WRX type with a Torsen center diff,
the less capable is the hydro clutch system in cars with the automatic
transmission.


--
Stewart DIBBS
www.pixcl.com/lancerproject.htm
 >> Stay informed about: All wheel drive vs. front wheel drive SUV's 

Then do a bit more research, WBMA

mike hunt

"Stewart DIBBS" <sjd DeleteThis @pixcl.com> wrote in message
news:b7SdnbR5JsCPnNPYnZ2dnUVZ_uadnZ2d@magma.ca...
> "Mike Hunter" <mikehunt2 DeleteThis @mailcity.com> wrote in message
> news:4LadnQv3V6ShTNHYUSdV9g@ptd.net...
>> One advantage to AWD over FWD is the torque is biased to the rear in most
>> AWD versions, (although some are 50/50) thus reducing the dangerous
>> tendency to loose steering control upon deceleration that is common with
>> FWD.
>
> Actually, no, where torque bias exists, its generally to the front wheels.
> I don't know of any NORMALLY FWD car that has an AWD variant that biases
> torque to the rear.
 >> Stay informed about: All wheel drive vs. front wheel drive SUV's 

Paul L wrote:
> what is the safety advantage of AWD vs. front wheel drive SUV's? All I
> know is that AWD's don't get stuck in the mud as easily. Any other good
> points?

AWD is not really a safety feature, AWD helps you get going in the
mud/snow, the treads on your tires are a much more important safety
feature overall for stopping power and cornering
 >> Stay informed about: All wheel drive vs. front wheel drive SUV's 

"Mike Hunter" <mikehunt2 DeleteThis @mailcity.com> wrote in message
news:I42cnQ9hOL5VidPYUSdV9g@ptd.net...
> Then do a bit more research, WBMA

I'm not familiar with the WBMA acronym ...

I stand by my description of the Honda CRV, Mitsubishi and Subaru AWD
systems. Torque split is easy to decide simply by looking at the diff
ratios. Assuming the same size wheel, the normal operation torque split is
the ratio of front_diff/rear_diff ratios.

Please give us all the benefit of your superior knowledge, and tell us
specifically which AWD variants of a FWD vehicle bias the torque to the rear
wheels under normal operation conditions.

SD
 >> Stay informed about: All wheel drive vs. front wheel drive SUV's