4WD vs AWD | What Is The Actual DIFFERENCE **Heavy Mechanic Explains**

I explained the difference between 4WD and All wheel drive (AWD) systems as a heavy duty mechanic with my Ram 2500 Power wagon 4wd lock system vs a 2023 Subaru outback wilderness edition AWD system. I go over the pros and cons for both the 4wd system and an AWD system you guys can decided and buy what vehicle is best for you.

What I Use:

Towing Gear:

My Camera Gear:

With the snow about the start coming down I thought it would be fun to try and explained some major differences between an all-wheel drive system and a traditional 4wd system like you would see in a pick up truck.

a ton of new SUV's and crossovers are all coming in all wheel drive set ups which are great but I think there are some questions as to what is the difference between an awd system and a 4wd system. are they the same or are they actually different.

The first major difference is that Awd vehicles usually utilize a third differential or a center differential which is critical because this is what allows the driveline to not bind up on dry pavement. and this is why AWD vehicles can drive constantly be feeding power to all 4 wheels without worry.

AWD systems are superiors for on road applications because anytime there is a loss of traction power can be diverted to another wheel.

Where an AWD system falls short and where a 4wd system becomes more advantageous is when going off road. because a 4wd system uses a more traditional fully locking transfer case which forces all power to be equally split 50/50 between front and rear drivelines. something an AWD system cannot do with a center diff.

moral of the story is that both 4x4 systems attempt to give the best traction possible but for on road use AWD systems are better and for off road use 4x4 systems tend to be a better fit.

there are obviously exceptions some AWD have fully locking center diffs which make it exactly like a traditional transfer case. but they are far and few between.

[ErikS]

Systems in most modern AWD use the brakes to lock the spinning wheel which transfers power to the wheels with traction.

[LexusGX-OFF-ROAD]

*the gold-standard is the Toyota/Lexus Full-time 4WD system. Lockable center **_TORSEN_** LSD... no clutch packs in the torsen type C center diff...all mechanical... 60/40 split... lock it for 50/50... toyota owns torsen... this system is on the Landcruiser, GX460, LX600, 4runner limited and some Sequoias* ... *in your subaru wheel in the air test it spun because its a clutch based system... the Toyota system will lock up onse it senses the torque*

[chacecardiff]

I own a Subaru and a Ram. This really helped me further understand the difference between the AWD and 4x4 system. Subbed. Thank you!

[MKRichvr]

My 17 explorer is 4WD auto. Works wonderful in snow, mud, sand, up hill gravel and all. Actually saw how it works when I was on ice today. Super interesting and cool. Saw all 4 wheels spin at the same time..then the front only then the back only then all 4 again. So interesting to watch it work

[ericvalero]

I feel like the only thing missing is a discussion about the applications and advantages of lockers in 4wd systems.

[robsdeviceunknown]

This is weird. You actually taught me quite a bit. I know little about AWD systems. You did great teaching. Really appreciate it bud.

[Michael_Livingstone]

Perfectly explained! Thanks. I am a Ford guy but will say that your Ram 2500 is a beautiful truck!

[BlueCollarGecko]

Its interesting how not all tests were performed/shown on camera so that side by side comparisons could be observed between the different vehicles. With all modern Subarus, like the one shown in this video, they are equipped with many ways to dynamically control the drivetrains at all 4 wheels independently. The Vehicle Dynamics Control and ABS modules both work to stop single tire wheel spin like what was shown with the Audi. They also work to apply more torque to tires that do have traction rather than blindly applying all power to a spinning wheel. Now I am not saying the Subaru AWD system is superior to a true 4wd drivetrain off road, it is not. However, I am pointing out that the Subaru AWD system (especially in modern vehicles) is not simply useless when one tire loses traction.

[ralphe.]

Thank you so much for this video - it was very helpful and entertaining!
I live in Germany and I'm quite new to the truck & 4x4 topic...😅I bought a new RAM 1500 Classic with the 5, 7 HEMI 2, 5 years ago and made a dream for me come true🤗. I guess that my truck has also the classic 4 WD system - no auto 4 WD. I do now understand much better the differences.
I do enjoy your videos (also the mechanic reviews and the towing) a lot! Great job! 👏👍

[nevillecartwright]

Great video and explanation of the various traction systems and how they work! I have an old '96 Nissan Patrol which is a true old-school, solid axle front and rear, 4x4 with a transfer case, and it's never ever let me down. My Patrol is not my daily driver, but when I do use it offroad, it never fails to put a huge smile on my face! Warm greetings from South Africa!

[Slckr]

Great video, as always. I owned a 2008 Subaru WRX STI, and that did have the ability to lock the center diff, an LSD rear, and a Torsen front. That being said, ground clearance isn't going to allow the kind of off-road driving a truck or SUV would. An AWD for a different purpose, for sure. A video on 4wd auto would be awesome.

[formerice]

I have an Outback and a Ram Ecodiesel. Both are great in the snow, but the Ram is better and gets better mpg! Got over 32 mpg driving in a blizzard in 4x4 Auto mode. Don't use 4x4 Lock or Low range much, but when you need it, it's awesome.

[daniellavigne]

Hi, many great details in a short package. Excellent job. I own a Ram 1500 with « Auto mode » and we spend 99% of the time on it during winter time. It is also great when we pull our boat (6000 pounds with trailer) up the hill (gravel) and reach the road (asphalt) and perform a 90 degrees turn without stopping (while blocking the road) to unlock the differential required on 4x4 (not really safe) One of my relative changed his F150 for a newer model just to get the Auto mode after he drove my Ram during a winter trip between asphalt and icy roads. Keep up the good work!

[hermanjohnson]

He sums up what I've told people in a simple yet educated and professional manner.
I like to think I do a decent job of explaining but I am not a certified mechanic.
Thanks Heavy Mechanic . 👍

[organichotdog]

My Suzuki SX4 has three modes: 2wd, 4wd-auto, and 4wd-lock (locking differential). I lock the diff if heavy snow and have never been stuck. Great car!

[YoungPurple]

Ive seen that same Subaru in your video. Climbing a snow covered mountain side. He went well past where the trucks, had too turn around

[CoolPilot]

Very well explained and educational! I just got myself a Crosstrek Wilderness and man oh man is this thing capable! Like a mountain goat lol. Sure it's not like my old Tacoma that I had with the transfer case and all but still I'm very impressed with its offroad and deep snow performance.

[TheKingOfInappropriateComments]

I'm new to AWD in my Mazda coming from a pickup trucks for years but man this thing is fun on the road. I take corners pretty fast in the rain with total confidence. My luck may run out one of these days when the tires get worn down but I love how sticky it is compared to my trucks that will just peel and burn rubber trying to get up steeply sloped wet pavement. I'd say AWD if you stay on pavement or gravel but 4wd if you really need to go driving around in the mud or rock crawling. Which is something I stopped doing with the price of the vehicles topped the $60k USD point. That activity has been discontinued.

[Ishkatan]

That was confusing and incomplete. You used your friend's Audi to demonstrate open diffs in AWD but you have a Subaru sitting next to your truck and show a Honda Ridgeline at the start and those AWD systems behaves very differently.

[ralphbuoncristiani]

After watching a few of these videos on 4WD vs. AWD, I’ve deduced that there are a plethora of AWD systems and each, individually compare differently to standard 4WD. My Porsche Turbo has AWD (a superb track vehicle), but is a totally different system than my Range Rover AWD (an excellent off-road vehicle). Can you explain the differences? All computer controlled. How about a video on the different systems, the mechanics, and how they are set up. I would venture to guess that a AWD Range Rover programmed for off road would perform better than your RAM.