I know they’re not the same thing. But (from my limited experience with European car discussion), 4WD is used to refer to both AWD And what we’d call in America as “real” 4WD. Watch any old Top Gear episode with a Subaru to see what I mean. Or, just watch the video. The BMW X-series is marketed as AWD in the US, but the OP title and YouTube video both call it 4WD.
Comment on Tourists write-off uninsured rental BMW 4WD in river crossing gone horribly wrong in Iceland
TheMightyCanuck@sh.itjust.works 9 months agoNot sure if it’s the same but… AWD is a system that’s always running where as 4WD is a setting you can change to. They aren’t the same thing
PP_BOY_@lemmy.world 9 months ago
Bonehead@kbin.social 9 months ago
Not quite. AWD has a transfer case with an open differential, so that the back wheel and the front wheels can turn a different speeds. Some vehicles can actually switch between RWD and AWD.
4x4 has a transfer case with a locked differential, so that you get more traction. But this should only be used on loose surfaces because on solid roads you can damage the transfer case leaving it in 4x4. Some vehicles have a "part-time" 4x4 that switches the transfer case to unlock the differential, giving you AWD that won't damage the transfer case.
Ilovethebomb@lemm.ee 9 months ago
No, it isn’t. The Toyota Land Cruiser and Land Rover Defender series of vehicles are permanent four wheel drive, and are advertised as four wheel drive.