When looking to purchase a new vehicle, you must consider a variety of factors and features. One of those considerations should be the vehicle’s drivetrain. You’ll need to think about the type of driving you do, the terrain you cover, and the weather conditions you might encounter. Each drivetrain has a specific purpose and comes with its advantages and disadvantages. Let’s look at front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive, so you can determine which one is right for you.

What Is Front-Wheel Drive?

Front-wheel drive, also known as FWD, means the engine powers the front wheels of your vehicle. It is a two-wheel-drive system involving the front wheels only. The rear wheels don’t receive any power and simply rotate because the front wheels are propelling them to turn. Front-wheel-drive vehicles generally get better gas mileage than vehicles with other drivetrains, reducing the time and money you spend at the pump. Automakers in the 1970s learned that by changing the drivetrain to a FWD, drivers could save a few miles per gallon.

A FWD vehicle might also emit less carbon dioxide, making it better for the environment. Further, front-wheel-drive vehicles maintain decent acceleration and traction in snow, thanks to the engine’s weight being located over the wheels driving the vehicle. Front-wheel-drive systems are also less expensive because they are less complex. Another advantage of front-wheel drive is that the front wheels pull you around corners, reducing the chance of losing traction, known as fishtailing, around corners.

Some performance enthusiasts find front-wheel-drive vehicles less exciting to drive than rear-wheel vehicles. You might experience torque steer with FWD, where unequal power applied to one of the wheels causes the vehicle to pull to one side during heavy acceleration. The turning radius is often larger in a front-wheel drive than a rear-wheel drive of the same model because of the drivetrain equipment under the hood. Four-wheel-drive systems tend to wear out faster than other drivetrains, and you’ll experience more wear and tear on your front tires due to the excess weight and responsibility for all braking, acceleration, and steering.

What Is Rear-Wheel Drive?

Another two-wheel drive option for a drivetrain is rear-wheel drive. On a RWD system, the rear tires do all the work. Having the power in the rear of your vehicle provides you with maximum acceleration on dry surfaces. Performance enthusiasts enjoy the quick acceleration a rear-wheel-drive system provides. You can aim rear-wheel-drive vehicles around a corner by punching the power while sliding the rear end in a controlled fishtail known as a drift.

A rear-wheel-drive system requires a driveshaft, which generally cuts into the interior space and leaves the vehicle with a hump down the middle. You also need a rear differential in a RWD, reducing fuel efficiency. Traction control also suffers on slippery surfaces, although the added traction control helps counteract this.

What Is All-Wheel Drive?

An all-wheel-drive system uses all four wheels to drive the vehicle via a center, front, and rear differential that supplies power to the wheels. All-wheel drive differs from four-wheel drive, another available drivetrain. While both activate all four wheels on the vehicle, a four-wheel-drive system is generally more robust and designed to handle rugged terrain. You will also often get a low and high range setting on a four-wheel drive to provide you with maximum traction on the low setting, perfect for off-roading and driving on packed snow or loose gravel.

Both AWD and 4WD have two kinds of operation: full-time and part-time. A part-time all-wheel-drive system is known as an automatic AWD, which only uses all four wheels when necessary. When the vehicle detects rough terrain or slippery road conditions, it will activate all-wheel drive automatically; otherwise, it operates as a front or rear two-wheel-drive system, depending on the make and model. With full-time AWD and 4WD, the system drives all four wheels continuously.

Which Drivetrain Is Right For Me?

 

Factors to consider when choosing a drivetrain include the type of driving you’ll be doing. Will you use the vehicle primarily as a daily commuter? Do you plan to go on off-road adventures? Would you like to take your vehicle for a spin around the racetrack?

If you’re looking for a daily commuter, front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive might be your best options. If off-road adventures sound appealing, you might opt for all-wheel drive or a more robust four-wheel drive to tackle the rugged terrain. For a spin around the track, consider a rear-wheel-drive system that can provide you with the performance and drift you desire.

For those who live in parts of the United States that receive a lot of rain or snow, such as New Jersey, weather could be a deciding factor. You want to be able to get to work or school when Mother Nature dumps upward of 6 inches of snow on the roads. In that case, an all-wheel-drive system would come in handy to tackle the weather and ensure you arrive safely at your destination.

Today’s automakers understand how important it is to get places safely, save money with fuel efficiency, and navigate roads with ease. Therefore, they’re putting all-wheel drive on more makes and models than ever. All-wheel drive offers efficiency, traction, and handling. The only piece missing is the fun factor of driving a rear-wheel-drive sports car on the track.

Trust the Experts

If you’d like more information about drivetrains or want to know which one is best for you, stop by New Jersey State Auto to talk to the experts. Our team members have the knowledge and experience to discuss a variety of features, including drivetrains. Call us today, fill out our online contact form, or stop in to see us at 406 Slip Ave. in Jersey City.

We’re here to answer any questions you have from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, closing at 7 p.m. on Saturdays. If you’re looking for a quality used car with FWD, RWD, or AWD, we’ve got you covered.