AWD, and 4wd are just diffrent ways to market diffrent systems. They are innerchangable and really mean nothing. Ive seen full time systems marketedt as 4wd, and part time systems marketed as AWD. Its just as the company uses it.

How about real-time 4WD? What is that?

That, my friend, is Honda's retarded way of marketing 4WD for their CRV. As far as I know, there is no difference.

Boys, I really can not believe you do not know this.:confused:

A four wheel drive solidly locks the speed of the front axles to the back axles.
On the early four wheel drives, that could have been a mating of 4.10 front to 4.11 rear. In the mud, a farm truck pulls straighter with a taller numerical gear set in the front.

So much for history.



An all wheel drive vehicle is "engaged" all the time, it however allows a slight amount of slippage of front to rear.

In the case of Subaru, as I remember, up to 5%.
This allows for tight turns without the binding that 4WDs are known for.
An AWD with an equal length axles, 50/50 f/r bias and a longitudinal , horizontally opposed engine, are/is a Subaru exclusive. Be happy, be proud!
It's all we'll drive for a reason! Tom.

Once apon a time.
 

Yes the difference is in having an unit in the center to allow for the difference in rotation, between front and rear wheels. Four wheel drive was for traction in loose conditions.

All wheel drive, to my recall, started when the English Co Fergenson developed a differential unit that was fitted in the center. The Co built a GP car to develop it. The big break came in the late 60s, (I think,this is from memory, time and places may be wrong), in the Italian GP.
The Italian cars dominated and were running at the front. Sterling Moss was driving some piece of English rubbish, when it started to rain. Sterlings car expired and he came into the pits. Fergenson asked him if he would finish the race in their car, that was running at the back of the field?.

Sterling would rather drive a nail into a piece of hardwood with a bar of soap,:) than sit a race out. So they called the car in and Sterling took it out. He then proceeded to work his way up through the field. Driving under, over and around each car, as he came to it. Much to the dismay of the Italians.

It was a masterfully display of his driving ability, but more importantly, it showed the outstanding handling and traction that the Fergenson Formula car had, on the wet slippery track, despite its lack of power. I can't remember if it won, I think it did. But it sold me on AWD from that day on.

The next time I saw it, was in the Jensen Interceptor FF. This car would have to be, the forerunner of the SVX. A nice two door, four seater Grand Tourer, with an huge Chrysler V8,with a torque curve, as flat as a lizard drinken. An auto box fitted with the Fergenson Formula AWD, and Locheed four wheel anti locking brakes. Forget what year that was. ( HangtownSVX will know)

Then the Range Rover came with AWD, and it started to become the norm. Till the SVX was developed with the VTD, to perfect it.

OK kiddies, off to bed now.:D

Harvey.;)

Re: Once apon a time.
 

Sweet! Finally, something that I said has been backed-up by Harvey. :) I can rest in peace now... :D

Yeah, I'll get to that eventually... :(

Subaru V-T-D AWD

How Stuff Works 4x4 & AWD article

As somebody already said, it's a Honda marketing ploy.

I don't care for the CR-V's AWD setup. The front wheels have to slip considerably before the rears will help out. It's not very smooth.