The different all-wheel drive options for SUVs
SUVs are very popular vehicles that offer a unique combination of towing capacity, maneuverability and trucking capability. SUVs are also known for their all-wheel drive, which allows them to drive on difficult surfaces and provide extra traction for slopes and turns.
What is all-wheel drive?
All-wheel drive is a transmission system that allows a vehicle to provide additional traction to all four wheels. This allows SUVs to better adapt to difficult surfaces and provide better traction and handling.
All-wheel drive types
There are several types of all-wheel drive available for SUVs. The main types are:
- Permanent four-wheel drive: This transmission is the most common and is generally equipped with two differentials, one at the front and the other at the rear. It is designed to provide consistent traction to all four wheels and is best suited to difficult surfaces.
- Electronically controlled all-wheel drive: This transmission is designed to provide better handling and traction. It is equipped with an electronic control system that distributes power between the front and rear wheels depending on driving conditions.
- Electronically Controlled Clutch All-Wheel Drive: This transmission is similar to electronically controlled all-wheel drive, but is equipped with an electronically controlled clutch that helps distribute power between the wheels front and rear depending on driving conditions.
- All-wheel drive with mechanically controlled clutch: This transmission is similar to electronically controlled all-wheel drive, but it is equipped with a mechanically controlled clutch that helps distribute power between the wheels front and rear depending on driving conditions.
Advantages and disadvantages of each type of all-wheel drive
Each type of all-wheel drive has its own advantages and disadvantages. The advantages and disadvantages of each type of all-wheel drive are as follows:
- Permanent all-wheel drive: The main advantages of this transmission are its simplicity and reliability. However, it may be less efficient than other types of all-wheel drive and can cause premature wear of tires and mechanical components.
- Electronically controlled all-wheel drive: The main advantages of this transmission are its maneuverability and its ability to distribute power between the front and rear wheels. However, it is more complex and more expensive than other types of all-wheel drive.
