My 2015 Nissan Pathfinder has a switch for 2WD, AWD (auto), and 4WD Lock.
Do I save gas by keeping it in 2WD? Or it doesn't matter because it's still the same drivetrain and it simply doesn't apply power to the rear wheels?
asked May 18, 2016 at 19:15
-
1You could test this easily by driving it in both modes burning a tank of gas for each mode then do the math, Miles driven divided by gallons used.– MoabMay 18, 2016 at 20:21
-
1Conventional wisdom would say that every gear that power has to pass through is going to remove some efficiency so I would suspect 4WD to use more gas, but interesting question. I agree that you should go Mythbusters on this and report your findings if no one else knows.– JPhi1618May 18, 2016 at 20:47
-
1Interesting question. The answer depends on the implementation details: do the rear hubs automatically unlock when the drivetrain switches to 2WD?– HobbesMay 19, 2016 at 8:43
-
2@Moab actually, unless this produces a very large difference, it's highly likely that the experimental error will make this inconclusive. Driving on a smooth oval track, sure. Driving in variable traffic and weather, less so.– Bob Cross ♦May 19, 2016 at 11:52
-
Yes, I don't know the actual implementation of the system. In the 2WD setting, are the rear axles "disconnected" like "true" FWD? Or is the computer simply not sending power to the rear?– Man o' GreaseMay 19, 2016 at 13:35
Add a comment
|
1 Answer
It's unlikely that 2WD will save you a lot more fuel than AWD but it will save you more than zero. 2WD will definitely save you fuel over the 4WD Lock setting.
The reality is that, no matter what setting you use, the engine still has to move the same mass of metal down the road. I.e., maximum efficiency is bounded. That said, in 2WD mode, you are avoiding some parasitic drag that would be caused by the differential and other mechanicals associated with the other pair of wheels in AWD mode. It's hard to say exactly how much additional drag will be induced by the AWD implementation since it will be situation dependent but it is more than zero.
Both of these are much more fuel efficient than 4WD Lock mode. Most owners manuals that I've seen also recommends the lock mode for low speeds as well.
Given all that, it is easy to measure the instantaneous fuel usage in a modern car. A decent OBD reader (it plugs into the OBD port under your steering wheel) will allow you to display the fuel injected per second. If you really want to know specifics for your vehicle, try a stretch of road where you do repeated test runs in the different modes. Bonus points if you bring a data recording co-driver with you rather than having to grope for the reader while bombing down the back roads....
answered May 19, 2016 at 12:13
