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How it Works! Welcome to Auto 101

401 messages,  Last post on Feb 29, 2012 at 4:08 PM

You are in the Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Brakes, Electrical, Engine, Coupe, Convertible, Hatchback, Truck, Sedan, Wagon, SUV, Van

This topic will hopefully allow the more knowledgable of our community members share what they know with those seeking a good explanation for "how things work" in a car; or, this is a good place for equally knowledgable people to discuss the finer points of a technology.

Messages Page 1 of 40

#1 of 401 Auto 101 by jusdreamin

Aug 30, 2001 (9:43 am)

This is for newbies and experts alike. If you don't know the basics about cars (or forgotten them) this is the place to find out. Even if you have more technical questions, post it here!
 
This topic is meant to run the technical gamut. Anything from how to change a flat to how to rebuild an engine. From what tire treads are for to what the heck a k-body type car is.
 
Just remember that there are non-engineers and newbies (like me) out there, so please try to use plain ol' English whenever possible (especially for the lurkers out there ). Thanks!!!

#2 of 401 This discussion is linked to both the Women's Auto Center and the Maintenacce & Repair board by pocahontas

Aug 30, 2001 (12:05 pm)

Hi jusdreamin- Good topic! Thanks for starting up this new disscussion.

To everyone- As I mentioned above, this discussion is linked to both the Women's Auto Center and the Maintenance & Repair message boards. This means you have the option to access this discussion from either one of these message boards.

Hope you enjoy discussing this subject with the participants from both of these message boards. Thanks for your participation!
 
Pocahontas
Host
Hatchbacks / Station Wagons / Women's Auto Center Boards

#3 of 401 Here's a question: by mfarmer2

Aug 30, 2001 (4:07 pm)

I just bought a front wheel drive Buick Rendezvous with the "full range" traction control option. Not really sure what that means, except for that it helps control the vehicle better. Can someone explain to me how "full range" traction control works?
 
Also how does traction control differ from all wheel drive? Please use the simplest terms; I tried reading an article on the subject and was still did not quite get it. Thanks ahead of time for any feedback.
 
Mary

#4 of 401 Speaking of AWD by jusdreamin

Aug 31, 2001 (6:35 am)

What are the differences between AWD, FWD, RWD, and 4WD? Why would someone want one over the others?

#5 of 401 mfarmer2 by jusdreamin

Aug 31, 2001 (6:43 am)

I think traction control transfers the power from the wheels that slip to the wheels that grip.
 
AWD is similar to 4WD. The difference is that you can turn off 4WD if you don't need it.
 
I think the best way to put it is that both AWD and 4WD have all four wheels "gripping" the road. I'm rephrasing what I said earlier to clarify here: AWD has all four wheels constantly "gripping" the road.
 
AWD tends to get worse mileage and wear out tires quicker.
 
I didn't realize that there was "full range" TC. Could that be a marketing ploy?

#6 of 401 Hi Mary & Jusdreamin- Good topics! by pocahontas

Aug 31, 2001 (8:15 am)

In addition to the feedback here, you may also want to check out these articles from Edmunds Ownership Section: What Wheel Drive?, By Karl Bruer and Traction Control, by Scott Memmer. Do these help to answer some of your questions?
 
Perhaps someone else has more to add....
 
Pocahontas
Host
Hatchbacks / Station Wagons / Women's Auto Center Boards

#7 of 401 by 0patience

Aug 31, 2001 (10:41 am)

AWD (All Wheel Drive) - All wheels are powered fulltime, There are good and bad points to all wheel drive.
 
RWD (Rear Wheel Drive) - Up until the 70s, was pretty much the exclusive design, with exception of the Tornado and a few imports. Control can suffer becasue of the "push" that it has on the vehicle. But it is my personal preferance.
 
FWD (Front Wheel Drive) - Has been said that it has better control over rear wheel drive, because the power is pulling the vehicle in the directions that the tires are pointed.
 
4x4 - 4 Wheel srive, comes in full time (Some are a partial part time) or part time.
Full time, is setup where the hubs are locked constantly, and the 4 wheel drive is engaged. Some full time, have the hubs locked and you still have control over whether it is in 2WD or 4x4. Part time has hubs that can be locked or unlocked and usually have 4 Low, 4 high and 2 high capabilities.
 
Full range traction control - Is not really any of them. Designed to put the power to the wheels that the computer sees that needs it. If one tire starts to lose traction, the computer (loosely termed) will sense the traction loss and shift the power to another tire. While this is a pretty good system, it can be extremely expensive should a problem come about.
 
jusdreamin, You wrote;
has all four wheels constantly "gripping" the road.
That is not accurate. Any of the drives put power to the wheels, it cares less if the are gripping or not and often at least one of them are NOT gripping the road. Esecially 4x4 and AWD. At any time in a corner or turn, under power or acceleration, there is at least one tire not "gripping" the road.

#8 of 401 0patience by jusdreamin

Aug 31, 2001 (10:50 am)

Thanks. Well, at least in essence I got the traction control right.
 
I thought the WD's did have something to do with power, I just couldn't remember it. Yeah... that's it... I couldn't remember.

#9 of 401 by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Aug 31, 2001 (6:10 pm)

Also keep in mind that "grip" is related solely and ONLY to the tires, as Opatience implies. You can have 40 wheel-drive, or even tank treads, and you'll go off the road if there is no "grip".
 
Many an AWD or 4X4 driver has learned the hard way not to be overconfident in an "all-wheel drive" vehicle.
 
Your car or truck stays on the road only because of those 4 little tire footprints, amounting to only a handful of square inches of tire patch.

#10 of 401 by steve_ HOST

Sep 02, 2001 (11:24 am)

The 4WD & AWD systems explained discussion may also be of interest.

Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards

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