Benefits of all wheel drive: Is it worth it?

Driving under severe conditions or harsh weather isn’t considered by many drivers. Well, everyone is aware that if the track is wet or you are having snowy weather, you might have to face multiple driving challenges. However, this is where the benefits of all wheel drive come into play.

Climbing up the hill in your favorite SUV, fishtailing, taking your car to its top speed – all these pleasures are worthy enough. To make sure that your car doesn’t disappoint, always search for the car equipped with all-wheel drive.

All-wheel drive vehicles might be expensive. However, the importance of having an AWD car has become important. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of all wheel drive, and what positive outcome it has for you. Moreover, we will look upon some of the drawbacks as well.

What is an all-wheel drive?

In modern days, all new vehicles are produced with the power of front wheels. The engine’s major power travels to the front wheels and it helps the car move. Moreover, another type is the rear wheel. However, rear-wheel vehicles are not pretty common. ‘Rear wheel’ being considered a luxury, it is found in sports or performance cars, heavy trucks, and other luxury vehicles.

When we discuss all-wheel drive, the game is entirely different from both the types mentioned above. An AWD vehicle is highly suitable for rainy and snowy weather. Instead of turning two vehicles at a time just like the front and rear wheel, AWD supports all four wheels.

Due to the movement of four wheels at the same time, you can accelerate at your favorite speed without losing the balance of your car. An AWD sedan is expected to outperform every vehicle that is rolling on a wet or snowy surface.

What are the benefits of all wheel drive?

It is important to understand why an AWD car has better performance than its competitors and how it can be beneficial for you.

Best in slippery conditions

It would be impossible for a two-wheel car driver to drive one’s vehicle on mud, snow, or rough tracks with ease. Most probably, the vehicle would get out of control.

If you wish to accelerate on a rough track with a two-wheel supported car, it might not prove to be a good decision for you. You might hit another vehicle, or the skid might drag your car off the road.

An AWD car would never disappoint in such conditions.

No spinning while exiting a corner

Any driver who wishes to accelerate on a turn can fulfill it with an AWD-supported car. The ability to transfer the power in all four wheels makes an AWD car exquisite.

Moreover, many individuals are concerned that whenever they push their cars hard, they are destroying their tires. However, it is not the case with four-wheel drive. With less burned rubber, you can accelerate your car to any limit.

What are the negative aspects of all-wheel drive?

Before you make your mind to purchasing an all-wheel drive, consider the disadvantages too. Understand the drawbacks of it, before you invest.

Over-hyped for winter conditions

An AWD car stops its wheelspin whenever you try to accelerate on a snowy surface, however, that doesn’t mean that your vehicle would stop or turn.

According to experts, two-wheel drive is considered a safer option while you drive under such circumstances. You might feel that your car is being unbalanced while you accelerate, that is where you need to slow down.

Traction can be overestimated by you and that might become the reason for your serious injuries.

Higher cost and difficulty to maintain

Surely, an AWD car is suggested by many. However, price is never taken under consideration. An all-wheel-drive car is far more expensive when compared to its cousins. Moreover, if you feel like adding this extra component to your current vehicle, it might be pricey for you.

Furthermore, whenever the car is taken to a repair shop, the procedure of maintaining it is expensive as well. Companies like Audi and Subaru are producing all-wheel cars, and everyone is aware of their maintenance cost.

Fuel economy

If you are too concerned about your fuel average, never fall for an AWD car. Due to additional weight being added, the car is expected to lose its fuel economy.

The Chrysler 300 V6 was tested in rear-wheel and all-wheel drive, and the results were shocking. From 23mpg it dropped to 21 mpg, while the car was driven with AWD.

Conclusion

Seeing the situation, the major car producers have tried to improve the option of AWD. In all recent or modern cars, there’s an option of deactivating the all-wheel-drive system.

This way it has helped many drivers to improve their fuel economy.