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Questions tagged [awd]

Acronym for All Wheel Drive - Usually referring to vehicles which can apply power to all wheels, with power being transferred through a single speed transfer gear box. This differs from Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) where 4WD is usually selectable (selectable for either 2WD or 4WD), which usually has a high and low range gear selection.

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24 votes
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Must I Replace All 4 Tires on an All Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicle?

I have a 2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Wagon. I just destroyed the passenger-side rear tire. The tires have approx. 6/32" tread remaining, per an informal measurement with a coin (I used this guideline ...
qxotk's user avatar
  • 424
23 votes
3 answers
22k views

Why do pickups and large SUV's use 4x4 and generally not AWD?

In almost every case I can think of, the larger vehicles with four wheel power are 4x4, and the smaller ones AWD. As far as my experience goes, AWD is much more convenient, and also works at least as ...
J. Musser's user avatar
  • 713
16 votes
7 answers
91k views

Hit a curb; chewed up rim and took a chunk out of tire. Will they need replacement?

Forced into a curb this morning while going about 35 mph...Just wondering what I'll be in for when I take it in later this afternoon. No air coming out as far as I can tell... Maybe 1/4-1/2 inch deep, ...
Chelsea's user avatar
  • 163
12 votes
2 answers
2k views

4x4 for sports cars (street use)

As some of you may know from this question i am currently rebuilding my car. The plan is to rebuild it from scratch. An important part is the engine. At the moment there is a 1.4l 8V petrol engine ...
Requion's user avatar
  • 465
11 votes
10 answers
107k views

Will different tread depths hurt my 4 wheel drive?

I have a Ford F150 4x4. The front 2 tires treads measure 12/32, one rear is 6/32 and the other is 10/32. The dealership told me I should replace the rear 2 tires because the big difference in tread ...
NotDan's user avatar
  • 211
8 votes
2 answers
57k views

Transmission damage due to uneven tread wear on AWD vehicle

I have a 2013 Subaru Impreza with a continuously variable transmission with ~40k miles on it. About two months ago I blew out the front right tire and took it to a tire shop. The folks at the tire ...
Doov's user avatar
  • 191
8 votes
1 answer
7k views

Does 2WD mode save me gas over AWD(auto) mode?

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 ...
Man o' Grease's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
5k views

How can I be sure my vehicle is a 4x4 / AWD?

I bought a pre-owned Volvo XC90 - 2007 3.2 V6 AWD. Or at least that's what it says on the car and the paperwork. Even in the dry, this car regularly spins the front wheels and there is fairly ...
ConfusedNoob's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
797 views

Should I get a wheel alignment?

I recently just started to notice that my car is slightly pulling to the left right after I took my winter tires off. It's not much. If i let go it will go straight for a few meters before pulling. Is ...
user974873's user avatar
6 votes
4 answers
1k views

Why does the dual motor Tesla have more range?

In the page http://www.teslamotors.com/models if we scroll down we see the several flavors Tesla sells its Model S. It puzzles me why the 85 version has a shorter range than the 85D. The first can ...
sergiol's user avatar
  • 686
6 votes
2 answers
5k views

BMW X5 E53 - Bord computer / AWD issues

Last week we bought a used car (BMW X5 E53 3.0L Diesel) from a private person. It looked fine and there seemed to be no major issue, only the regularly oil service was due. On our way home the 4x4 ...
Kinaeh's user avatar
  • 561
6 votes
7 answers
97k views

Is it OK to replace only 2 tires on an AWD car?

On a 2004 VW R32 (which uses a Haldex AWD system), I have one damaged summer tire. All the tires have at least half of their usable tread depth left. At $200 ea, I'd like to replace only a pair of ...
mac's user avatar
  • 5,313
6 votes
2 answers
400 views

My AWD car has a FWD option. Why/When would/should I use FWD?

First, it doesn't save fuel. "Auto" mode sends some power to the rear wheels a little, coming from a full stop, even if no slippage is detected, so it gives that nice "RWD push" feel. 2WD mode seems ...
Man o' Grease's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
2k views

2007 Chrysler Pacifica AWD - Trying to diagnose vibration between 30-40mph, driveshaft or rear differential?

TL;DR - How can I isolate whether a vibration is being caused by a bad driveshaft or a problem with the rear differential? Apologies for the long story, but here goes... I recently acquired a 2007 ...
Wildcat Matt's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
21k views

What damage can one expect from towing an all wheel drive(awd) with 2 wheels down?

About a year ago, I had my awd car towed 12 miles with the front wheels on the lift, rear wheels on the ground while on neutral gear. The car's drive train is the front wheels. I just learned awd ...
NYCity's user avatar
  • 53
4 votes
6 answers
36k views

Damage to Audi differential with new front tires and old rear tires

I just bought two new front tires for my Audi A8 with Quattro all-wheel drive and was told I should replace the back tires as well. I can't afford those tires for a week or so. How long can I drive ...
Gregg's user avatar
  • 41
4 votes
1 answer
366 views

Does it save wear on AWD drivetrain to shift to Neutral before going into Park or Reverse?

I have an old Subaru with All Wheel Drive. I can feel in some circumstances the larger and more complex drivetrain "winding and unwinding" all those differentials and CV joints. It feels unpleasant, ...
user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
268 views

AWD truck doesn't shift smoothly. I was advised to not change the transmission fluid

AWD Mercury Mountaineer. 1997 Automatic transmission. 8 cylinder 5.0L 150k miles. fairly good shape. Pretty awesome truck. From 1st to 2nd gear, the transmission shifts with a light clunk. Also, at ...
1c1cle's user avatar
  • 143
4 votes
2 answers
8k views

AWD systems with/without transfer cases

Is there a benefit to an AWD system without a transfer case? For example, the Audi Quattro AWD system appears to direct power to the front wheels directly from the transmission. Whereas the Jaguar ...
Megatron's user avatar
  • 159
3 votes
4 answers
1k views

Where is extra fuel consumption in RWD and AWD cars dissipated?

I have understood that rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) cars are less fuel efficient than front-wheel drive (FWD) cars, and that for this reason most cars sold today are FWD. I'm ...
juhist's user avatar
  • 15k
3 votes
2 answers
1k views

Replaced front brakes and "AWD temporarily disabled" light coming on

My son replaced the front brake pads and rotors on my 2016 Ford Edge today. Afterwards I went for a drive and could smell a very strong "chemical" smell and the wrench light came on, then ...
Sheri's user avatar
  • 31
3 votes
1 answer
195 views

AWD Towing with Sling Type Truck

I now know AWD towing should be done with a flatbed type truck. But say you have a sling type truck and towed an AWD with the rear wheels on the grounds. This could maybe cause damage to the front ...
SadMonkey's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
2k views

New car AWD tire replacement

I have a 2016.5 Mazda CX5 AWD which have run 1900 miles till now. Right front tire got a nail puncture. The nail is at the corner of the tire. Tire replacement shop told as nail is at side tire cannot ...
pavel's user avatar
  • 31
3 votes
1 answer
3k views

Can a rear end collision cause damage to the brakes?

My 2017 Subaru Outback was rear-ended a week back. I took it to two independent body works shop for damage estimates. Both shops were in agreement and said the following: The rear body panel needs ...
displayName's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
3k views

Towing AWD Subaru 2010 Outback with auto/manual transmission

I read the posts about towing behind an RV. My 2010 Subaru Outback had an automatic transmission, but it also has the manual shift up and down paddles on the steering wheel. Does this mean it can be ...
sam tree's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
630 views

Must I put chains on all four tires of a vehicle with all-wheel drive (AWD)?

On a car with AWD like the Honda Element that automatically engages drive power on the rear wheels as needed when the front wheels slip, should I install chains (a) on the front wheels only or (b) on ...
Basil Bourque's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
2k views

Should I check my rear toe after replacing a rear strut, and how?

I see a lot of information about how to check and adjust front toe at home using the string method, but it seems to rely on rear wheels that are properly aligned. I understand that the rear wheels on ...
tef2128's user avatar
  • 669
3 votes
1 answer
8k views

Wheel noise while in reverse

12 Mini Countryman AWD. A metal on metal like grating noise developed in Right Front wheel only while in reverse, not braking and never forward. What could it be?
G. peterson's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
239 views

2007 Escalade - grease on front axle

07 Escalade 6.2L AWD I had the front RH wheel off and saw this: Is the grease from the wheel bearing, or the axle? Can this sort of thing be repacked, or should I replace the axle (and/or bearing)? ...
3Dave's user avatar
  • 3,159
2 votes
3 answers
699 views

Subaru Outback 2014 was towed with front wheels raised and rear wheels on ground for about 5 miles. Now AT Oil Temp light flashes

Okay, I did it and now the flashing/blinking AT Oil Temp light is very concerning. Is that caused by such improper towing? If so, what would I expect to happen or to have fixed? It’s a 2.5l CVT over ...
Mechanically Challenged's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
10k views

Why are shops that do tire shaving and truing so hard to find?

With the number of AWD cars on the road, you'd think that tire shaving and truing would be more popular. But I had to call the manufacturer of the truing machine and obtain a buyer's list to find ...
audiFanatic's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
541 views

Torque converter failure - Related to replacing only 2 tires?

I've got a 2007 Honda CRV that I wish to continue to flog for a few more years at least. Yesterday I noticed that the 'D' light for drive on the dashboard was blinking. It stopped once I turned the ...
JimmyJames's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
28 views

AWD indicator bugs out, not sure if there's actually a problem or if the light is just malfunctioning

Feel free to re-word the title if there's a better way to state it, it sounds awkward but I'm not sure how else to summarize. 2004 Trailblazer with AWD - There's a dial on the dash that lets you ...
thanby's user avatar
  • 121
2 votes
1 answer
370 views

Is it my ABS sensors that are bad on a 95 Safari Van?

When I drive on snowy roads, the brakes lock up nicely. When I brake on dry roads, the van hops all over the place when I brake.. to the point I feel like the front end is going to fall off. Could ...
Alison's user avatar
  • 21
2 votes
1 answer
60 views

Theoretical AWD question

Don't know if this is a right place to ask this. So I know there's a difference between 4WD and AWD, and the difference being AWD has equal power distribution between front and rear axles right while ...
J. Doe's user avatar
  • 63
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Subaru Outback - can spin one rear wheel with auto transmission in Park

So while I was changing brake pads on my 2003 Outback automatic (H6 3.0, if it makes any difference), I reattached the rear driver's wheel (the car is RHD, so the driver's side is the air intake/fuel ...
Gargravarr's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
158 views

Can new tires cause transmission failure

Question about transmission failure. 2019 Honda Passport AWD Elite: 9-26-23 put on 4 new tires “265/45R-20XL 108V ION EVO all season SUV”. Had 65,198 miles at the time. Tire Center said they were used ...
Maggie's user avatar
  • 21
2 votes
0 answers
59 views

Cracks on both front and back differential - Normal?

AUDI A4 2012 2TFSI QUATTRO - I took my car into a service centre for a check and was told both differentials have got have cracks. Car is still on motor plan, took it into Audi to be replaced and was ...
user19832's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
251 views

All-wheel drive single tire placement [duplicate]

We have an all-wheel drive Subaru. A few months ago we had one tire blow on a set that was around a year old. We were told (by the tire store) we had to replace all of them. That sounded nuts but I ...
Jeffrey Blattman's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
2k views

Can all wheel drive cars run like a front wheel drive if all wheel drive system fails?

Let's say there is a problem with the AWD and it's too costly to fix it. Is it possible to leave it unfixed and use the car as if it was a FWD? If yes, would leaving it unfixed have any adverse ...
Utku's user avatar
  • 285
1 vote
1 answer
3k views

Most reliable used off-road with good fuel economy (for travelling expeditions) [closed]

What is the most reliable used off-road (awd/4wd/4x4) vehicle for occasional traveler expeditions to more remote areas of Eastern Europe, Russia, Middle East or Africa? Requirements: highest ...
Kozuch's user avatar
  • 1,305
1 vote
1 answer
90 views

Identify control knob with transmission-looking symbols in a MAN snow bus

I have seen the above control knob in a cab of a bus travelling between Queenstown, New Zealand, and the Remarkables ski area. What does it do? The bus is pictured on Ski Bus Transport page (top image,...
Koterpillar's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
105 views

Why rear wheels skid at slow, sharp turns when engine gets to operational temp?

This is followup on my BMW X3 E83 2008 transfer case saga. Here is recap: The dashboard had BMW triad of lights in dashboard. I replaced the nylon gear in transfer case actuator servo motor and ...
user2138912's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
4k views

How far should you drive on a donut in an all wheel drive car?

After buying my 2020 Forester I was told that the tires should only be replaced in sets of four in order to keep them all about the same diameter. Or if a single tire has to be replaced, then only do ...
Peter M's user avatar
  • 329
1 vote
3 answers
105 views

Front-to-back vs left-to-right driveshaft

What is the reason, that all 4x4 and AWD vehicles use front-to-back driveshafts with lateral semi-axes, vs lateral driveshafts with front-to-back semi-axes? How would the later affect vehicle dynamics ...
MishaP's user avatar
  • 119
1 vote
0 answers
50 views

Tire tread difference on bmw 328xi

Recently bought a 2007 BMW 328xi awd and the tread on the tires are different. This concerns me because I’ve heard that that is bad and I don’t want any issues down the road. How bad is that on this ...
Rbytsdy's user avatar
  • 11
1 vote
0 answers
26 views

Unibody off-road vehicle with differential locks and reduction [closed]

I want to create a list of current off-road vehicles (say in production during last 10 years) that have unibody construction (as opposed to body on-frame) but still have most off-road features like ...
Kozuch's user avatar
  • 1,305
1 vote
1 answer
676 views

Heat going cold when idling

I have a 2007 Ford Fusion awd v6, my heat is very hot when I’m driving but when I stop at a light or sit for a minute or so, it goes cold. I took it to the mechanic twice, I have got my warped cap ...
Kala Jordan's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
1k views

Only replace rear tires BMW xdrive?

I'm running a BMW X1 AWD Xdrive with OEM 19" wheel spec staggered: 255 / 35 / 19 Rear 225 / 40 / 19 Front Staggered tires height difference is -0.06" (approx 2/32", back tires have less height, I ...
allaire's user avatar
  • 267
0 votes
2 answers
18k views

Which Honda cars are equipped with permanent AWD?

I am not looking for RT-AWD cars with automatic AWD which are usually FWD but permanent AWD cars.
Andreas Hartmann's user avatar