AWD vs 4WD - What's The Difference?

What Are The Differences Between AWD & 4WD? Which Is Better?

What's the difference between AWD and 4WD? I was handed the keys to the brand new BMW M5, which can actually switch between 4WD and 2WD! Nothing all that impressive for any truck drivers out there, but fairly rare in the car world. Generally speaking, 4WD is selectable, and AWD is always active. The video brakes down the unique differences, how they're similar, as well as the advantages of each setup. What do you prefer? AWD or 4WD?

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[tedv]

The spare tire also spins with AWD, simple as that :)

[TheWeakLink]

Professional YouTuber and still uses whiteboards for graphics, I love it! Keep things real man!

[d]

I love this channel and I am so happy to see Jason’s success! I remember him doing videos in his uni bedroom and now he is using an M5 just to hold his whiteboard. Thank you for the content <3

[barsaf]

Finally I can go rock climbing in my M5!

[arekb]

This whiteboard stand must have been expensive

[balthasarlumbantobing]

Average engineer: "Simply use AWD for road car and 4WD for offroad car."

German engineer: "How about making 4WD more complicated so it can mimic AWD?"

[SickFlicksTrick]

I really enjoy all of your videos for the technical detail you're able to provide in an easy to digest manner. However, as someone big into off road driving, rally or rock crawling, I get especially excited when you upload 4WD related videos. Thanks for all the great vids!

[abdulazizal-zadjali]

Simplicity with using white board makes your explanations simple and clear for viewers
Thanks a lot...

[firstname]

You really broke that down to the simplest form.
Great explanation thanks!

[Xcepticus]

Thanks for the clarity. 🤝 Keep up the good work! 👍👍

[brymilan]

Told me exactly what I wanted to know. I was coming across a lot of usage-focused or "which is better" explanations to this question. But this video told me succinctly the gist of what the intrinsic mechanical differences between the two are. Thanks for that!

[acarguy]

So the M5 has 4WD that mimics AWD? Clever!

[nooranik]

I'm a simple guy. I see a whiteboard, I press like.

[gloredon]

I just spotted this one, and watched it. Good video, and a good attempt to explain the difference between AWD and 4WD. However, several things you said are not quite true"

First, no matter what BMW "claims" their X-drive system is, it is, in reality, a selectable AWD system, not a 4wd system. The presence of that clutch pack in the transfer case really turns it into an AWD system when turned on. It's all about marketing really.

Second, a 4wd system can absolutely be used on the road in 4H or 4WD without the gearing reduction. There are two great uses for this, snow and rain conditions. On dry pavement, it will still work just find and the amount of bind in the center in minimal. So if you're driving on a paved road with some snow cover, you can use 4H without endangering your driveline, with no need to keep switching the t-case from 2H to 4H and back. $L is for offroad use because it WILL create a lot of bind in the drivetrain if driven on the street. But again, in deep snow it will also work fine.

Third, AWD is NOT good for offroad. It actually sucks. Mostly because AWD systems do not have the strength in the driveline components to take on rocks and other high-stress obstacles without snapping. Also, AWD systems often use a vscuous coupling unit for that center differential, which when stressed very hard (as offroad obstacles are wont to do) the coupling unit will slip and overheat the oil in it, possible burning it out.

Lastly, AWD systems are not mostly FWD and then they send torque to the rear when needed. Some do that, mostly care that in their non AWD version is a front drive car. If the base model of the AWD car is a RWD car, then usually the AWD version is heavily rear biased AWD. Some thing like a 35:65 torque split (which was the normal split for the Astro Safari minivan's AWD versions). Check out Subaru's AWD system in the Outbacks. Most AWD systems are not one axle gets all the torque until needed, but they have a preset bias. 85:15 is common for cars that are FWD base models.

Basically AWD is a street system that provides excellent traction in wet/snowy conditions and great off-the line starts without wheelspin, and 4WD is for offroad performance. Keep up the good videos though, your content is easy to watch and fun.

[gpezun]

Love the semantics clear, straight, to the point.

[dongking]

Ya your videos have always been interesting and just cool to watch I enjoy them keep em coming buddy !

[Xamorst]

My aunt had an awd suv that struggled to get through the driveway when it snowed, because you couldn’t set/select when all the wheels engaged. They would only all engage after the tires started spinning, which made it useless at that point anyways. Since then she’s gotten a select 4wd suv and has no problem.

[tristanarmani]

They might as well make it so the suspension can raise a couple inches or feet so your bmw m5 can be an off road tank

[jenjerx]

I just want more on that topic from you! Well explained so far.

[dnc]

Great content. Even better detail of the differences. Yes, I'm subscribing.