Coming to 4WD from AWD

I've been driving a Honda CR-V for the last eight years, and I'm
probably going to replace it with a Tacoma (05 or 06, depending
on when the 06 models arrive in Canada). One thing I was
wondering about . . . the CR-V has a flavour of all-wheel drive,
but it only engages when the front wheels start to slip. This
means I've only very rarely had the AWD active outside
snowstorms and icy conditions.

The only other vehicle I've ever driven that was a "real" 4WD
was a military variant Chevy pickup with full-time 4WD. There
was no provision to _not_ use 4WD on that one.

Are there any driving tips I should be aware of that my test
drive won't have shown me (dry weather, paved roads, no
particular driving issues)? Any "gotcha's" about driving a real
4WD that I won't know?

"Nicholas Russon" <nrusson@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:Xns96BC907F34514nrussonrogerscom@216.196.97.142...[color=blue]
> I've been driving a Honda CR-V for the last eight years, and I'm
> probably going to replace it with a Tacoma (05 or 06, depending
> on when the 06 models arrive in Canada). One thing I was
> wondering about . . . the CR-V has a flavour of all-wheel drive,
> but it only engages when the front wheels start to slip. This
> means I've only very rarely had the AWD active outside
> snowstorms and icy conditions.
>
> The only other vehicle I've ever driven that was a "real" 4WD
> was a military variant Chevy pickup with full-time 4WD. There
> was no provision to _not_ use 4WD on that one.
>
> Are there any driving tips I should be aware of that my test
> drive won't have shown me (dry weather, paved roads, no
> particular driving issues)? Any "gotcha's" about driving a real
> 4WD that I won't know?[/color]

You won't be using it on dry paved roads, and probably not unpaved roads,
either, unless they're muddy. The first time you make tight turns with 4WD
on a dry road, you'll hear & feel some interesting things that'll remind you
to shut it off.

"Doug Kanter" <ancientangler@hotmail.com> wrote in
news:vR2Pe.5174$cg.1223@news02.roc.ny:[color=blue]
> You won't be using it on dry paved roads, and probably not
> unpaved roads, either, unless they're muddy. The first time
> you make tight turns with 4WD on a dry road, you'll hear &
> feel some interesting things that'll remind you to shut it
> off.[/color]

Thanks. So not too much to "unlearn" from my Honda experiences,
then? ;-)

On Wed, 24 Aug 2005 13:25:40 -0500, Nobody Special
<enar@stribmail.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>"Doug Kanter" <ancientangler@hotmail.com> wrote in
>news:vR2Pe.5174$cg.1223@news02.roc.ny:[color=green]
>> You won't be using it on dry paved roads, and probably not
>> unpaved roads, either, unless they're muddy. The first time
>> you make tight turns with 4WD on a dry road, you'll hear &
>> feel some interesting things that'll remind you to shut it
>> off.[/color]
>
>Thanks. So not too much to "unlearn" from my Honda experiences,
>then? ;-)[/color]

With a part time 4WD system there is no differential between the
front and rear axles. Make a turn with the 4WD engaged on dry
pavement, and the driveshafts bind up until one of two things happens:
Either one wheel chooses to slip intermittently and relieve the torque
till you straighten out, or something in the driveline breaks.

If you have the system with manual hubs and a manual shifter, and
you expect some hairy driving may happen today, you can lock the hubs
on dry pavement. But don't shift the transfer case into 4WD till you
get into the slop and need it. This saves you from wading out in a
foot of mud to lock the hubs /after/ you get stuck.

--<< Bruce >>--

--
Bruce L. Bergman, Woodland Hills (Los Angeles) CA - Desktop
Electrician for Westend Electric - CA726700
5737 Kanan Rd. #359, Agoura CA 91301 (818) 889-9545
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