2wheel drive v 4 wheel drive

[marlinleg]

Hi to one and all

A  quick question please 

RAV4. Excel 

Pro and cons of 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive (apart from the cost) 

I have never owned a 4 wheel drive

I will not be going off road.

Once again thanks to you ALL

[philip42h]

Really? OK, a 4 wheel drive vehicle provides twice the amount of traction as a 2 wheel drive vehicle, or, perhaps more usefully, is twice as likely to find traction and half as likely as a 2 wheel drive vehicle to get stuck in slippery conditions.

There is a penalty to pay for driving all four wheels is terms of weight and 'complexity' which results in marginally higher fuel consumption - though since the rear drive on a 4.5 is electric that penalty isn't too bad at all.

RAV4 used to stand for Recreational Activity Vehicle with 4 wheel drive - 4 wheel drive was an essential part of the point of a RAV4. Folk who don't need / want 4 wheel drive might well be better off looking at a Corolla or Camry as a better vehicle for standard road use ...

[IanML]

Quote

 

4WD is not only for off-road. On roads covered in snow and/or ice, the difference is profound - often it is the difference between getting there and being stuck, unable to progress or return.

[marlinleg]

Interesting and informative 👍

[PeteB]

I'm waiting for a test drive of the AWD RAV4, and like other comments I doubt I'll ever take it off road (maybe the odd grass car park), but my reason is for the extra safety in snow and/or ice, or any other slippery conditions.

I've been caught out a couple of times, and once was close to spending the night in a car just a few miles from home (but in open countryside) after about 6" snow fell in half and hour (hadn't been forecast).

Also, if I needed to accelerate out of harms way on a damp, shiny road, the extra traction and reduced risk of the car swerving due to wheel spin at one end is an added attraction, despite the rarity of such occasions (although the traction control will also help in this situation).

Again, as already said, the electric rear motor adds much less extra weight and complication compared to a mechanical 4WD system, and should not make a big difference to the fuel consumption and emissions.

[marlinleg]

👍

[Heidfirst]

6 hours ago, IanML said:

4WD is not only for off-road. On roads covered in snow and/or ice, the difference is profound - often it is the difference between getting there and being stuck, unable to progress or return.

Not forgetting importance of tyres - a 2wd on m&s/winter tyres will get places off road & stop better in snow/ice than a 4wd on summer tyres.

[PeteB]

Just now, Heidfirst said:

Not forgetting importance of tyres - a 2wd on m&s/winter tyres will get places off road & stop better in snow/ice than a 4wd on summer tyres.

True, but a 4WD on winters...

[marlinleg]

Yes winter tyres on 2 wheel drive versus 4X4 on normal tyres the proof 

 

 

[IanML]

Yes, the tread pattern is important on snow.  I saw a top-of-the-range Range Rover Evoque on those wide, low-profile tyres having to give up on a moderately steep icy/snowy hill.  Once it was out of the way, an old model Vitara on narrow M&S tyres just went up all the way, no drama, no fuss.  I haven't the space to keep a spare set of wheels and tyres, so my 4WDs have winter M&S all year.

It's a good solution for Jersey, where mileages are low, but, of course, we haven't had snow for years, now.  Maybe next month …...

[marlinleg]

Thanks Ian interesting  

[PeteB]

9 hours ago, IanML said:

... I haven't the space to keep a spare set of wheels and tyres...

I didn't bother with another set of wheels, just bought my winter tyres from my dealer, who is always competitive on price (once even got KwikFit to price match my dealer when it wasn't convenient to get to them!).

My dealer also stores them for me for a one-off £40 set-up fee (and free thereafter) and then £30 per time to swap the tyres onto my original wheels, including new valves and balancing (all including vat).  My service manager and I feel that the few tyre swaps is no more harmful to the tyres than taking them off of a few punctures, and I've seen no downsides during the 4 winters since I started doing this.

[IanML]

Your dealer is a jewel  

[PeteB]

Just now, IanML said:

Your dealer is a jewel.  

Worth thier weight..!

[marlinleg]

My VW dealer charges £120  = Summer off winter on X 2 changes  plus they store them at the Tyre Hotel 

[marlinleg]

I have 4 tyres and wheels not tyre swap

 

[Heidfirst]

8 hours ago, PeteB said:

and then £30 per time to swap the tyres onto my original wheels, including new valves and balancing (all including vat). 

Is that £30 for 4x fit, new valve & balance or 4x£30 for fit, new valve & balance? If the former that is remarkable from a dealer (even my local independent tyre specialist would probably charge more).

[PeteB]

3 minutes ago, Heidfirst said:

Is that £30 for 4x fit, new valve & balance ...

Yep, total £30 for all 4 wheels including vat!  And sometimes includes a wash too!

[Heidfirst]

You've got a good nay, great 'un!

[Southern Softy]

I have ordered the AWD due to lots of muddy lanes where I live and the hills in Devon when I visit one of my daughters.

In my youff I had a AWD Subaru ( Silver and no Gold wheels thank goodness ) and it was very reassuring in the wet around greasy roundabouts and the like. Better for towing as well I guess.