When talking about performance qualities, many drivers confuse the terms four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive and use the two interchangeably. However, four-wheel drive is a very different performance feature than all-wheel drive. Toyota of Clermont's experts are here to explain the differences so you can decide which one - if either of them - is right for you.
The main difference between all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive
We'll start as basically as we possibly can - here's a simple explanation of what all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive are.
- Four-wheel drive is when the front and rear driveshafts lock together. This ensures that the axles turn at the same speed so at least one front wheel or one rear wheel is ALWAYS touching the ground, especially when you're driving in rough terrain.
- All-wheel drive is when the engine sends power to all four wheels, so all four of them are powering the vehicle. (Typically only the front wheels in a front-wheel drive vehicle power the car, or the rear wheels in a rear-wheel drive car.)
Now you know the basics - so which of these performance features is going to be best for your new Clermont Toyota? Here are some factors to consider before you make your final decision.
- All-wheel drive is optimized for driving on the road - NOT off the road - in slippery conditions like rain, ice, or snow. It's not meant for rough terrain or tackling the trails. It's also great for cornering at high speeds, just saying.
- Four-wheel drive, on the other hand, is made for taking things off the pavement. You should NOT use four-wheel drive when on the road; it's meant for uneven surfaces and different types of terrain, as well as mud, snow, and ice. Having at least one wheel on the ground at all time gives you much better traction.
- All-wheel drive is usually found on SUVs like the Clermont Toyota RAV4, but it's becoming more and more popular on other models like sedans and minivans. For example, the new Toyota Camry and Toyota Sienna offer all-wheel drive options.
- Four-wheel drive is primarily found on trucks like the Toyota Tacoma and Toyota Tundra, but you can occasionally find it on SUVs that are meant for off-roading, like the Clermont Toyota 4Runner.
- All-wheel drive turns on and off seamlessly - your car will utilize it when necessary to handle slippery situations, but will also turn it off when you don't need it to make the most of fuel efficiency.
- Four-wheel drive has to be manually turned on by the driver (because remember, it's part-time - you're not supposed to use it on the pavement). It usually takes the flip of a switch, turn of a knob, or push of a button.
Schedule a test drive at Toyota of Clermont
Have more questions? Want to schedule a test drive? Call Toyota of Clermont today. We're open seven days a week at (352) 404-7000 and we're conveniently located just west of the Florida Turnpike at 16851 State Road 50.
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