When looking to purchase a new or used vehicle, there are several things to take into consideration. You will want to consider when and where you will be driving, along with how many passengers you have. If you have a large family, a van might be a good option. There are also some specifications that you will need to consider. One of these is if your vehicle should have four wheel drive or not. This is a feature which will allow you to get even more performance out of your vehicle no matter how you want to use it. The feature makes it possible for you to operate your wheels in a way which is conducive to better driving and can even provide better fuel efficiency when used properly. There are a few kinds of four wheel drive you can have. This includes the part-time four wheel drive systems and full-time four wheel drive. Beware of slipping when it comes to four wheel drive vehicles as this can cause you to get no benefit from the four wheel drive feature.
Part-Time Four Wheel Drive
The majority of four wheel drive vehicles are actually part-time four wheel drive vehicles. These use technology in two different ways. The most common way in which this kind of four wheel drive works is through a switch inside of the vehicle. You will be able to turn on the four wheel drive for use whenever you want it to. Some systems are automatic to help you keep driving in any circumstance. The most important thing to remember about part-time four wheel drive is that at no time will all four wheels be moving. The power can be switched from front to back, but it cannot allow all four wheels to move at the same time.
Permanent Four Wheel Drive
Those looking for the best driving off road will need to have full-time four wheel drive. This enables all wheels to move at the same time. This is an important feature whenever driving over uneven terrain. You may need to have weight displacement between two wheels on opposite ends of the vehicle. This is only possible whenever all four tires can spin at the same time. Being able to turn this feature off will help you to get better gas mileage while you are driving along the highway. Some of the full sized SUVs will allow you to have a full-time four wheel drive you will be able to turn off whenever you are not using it.
Issues with Four Wheel Drive
One of the biggest problems when purchasing part-time four wheel drive is the possibility of slipping. This is something which occurs when the vehicle is switching from front to rear wheels for power displacement. If the connection is not completely made, it can cause the engines to not be spinning while you are stepping on the gas. This can cause you to get stuck in the worst places. Most hybrids and light SUVs which feature this technology are not actually designed for off road use. Knowing the limitations of your vehicle can help you to stay out of trouble. You can also bring your vehicle in and we can inspect it for you.