How Do I know If My Jeep Is All-Wheel Drive? (Let’s Dig in)
There are only a few models of the jeep that come standard with all-wheel drive. The better traction of an all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicle is a key distinguishing factor.
However, you can not use that to determine the vehicle wheel drive fully.
There are ways you can know if a jeep is an all-wheel-drive even without driving the car.
Also, certain jeeps carry stickers of AWD or 4WD depicting the wheel drive systems, respectively. However, those are just mere stickers that dealers could always tamper with.
You can know if your jeep is all-wheel drive (AWD) by checking your car manual or observing the position of the axle shaft. A car manual is an excellent option to know if your jeep is an AWD. Notwithstanding, another effective way is to check whether the axle shaft of your jeep runs from the front to the rear.
What is All-wheel Drive?
All-wheel drive is a type of wheel drive system whereby your car’s four wheels power from the engine.
An all-wheel-drive sends power to the drivetrain either full-time or part-time, which can also be on-demand.
In a wheel drive system, the wheels that receive power while the car is in motion are the drivetrain.
An all-wheel-drive system allows all the wheels of your car to spin. Although it is the same thing with a 4-wheel drive the transfer of power in an AWD is automatic.
It engages without any effort from the driver and when it gets to a slippery terrain, it changes the amount of power it gives to the wheels.
That is to say, it gives more torque ratio to either the front-rear wheels or drive rear wheel, as the case may be.
This action is carried out automatically and is referred to as real-time all-wheel drive.
The real-time all-wheel-drive system sends torque to the rear-wheel-drive to get enough power.
In addition, this system allows the tires to have a firm grip on the road no matter how slippery it becomes.
Note also that an AWD is capable of controlling your brake systems and this helps to ensure that your car doesn’t slip off the road.
How Does All-Wheel Drive Work?
The all-wheel drive automatically sends power to all four wheels without any action from the vehicle’s driver.
This automatic process is made possible by the help of sensors that detects any abnormal condition and sends power to all four wheels.
However, torque goes to either the front or rear wheel during a normal driving experience.
Further, this is why most AWD vehicles are passenger cars and minivans. They are programmed to prevent accidents that may happen due to loss of traction on the road.
Therefore, when the vehicle notices any condition that would require a transfer of more power to the rear-wheel drive, it does that automatically.
However, the driver can choose to put the car in part-time AWD.
When a car switches to part-time AWD, it will automatically become a front-wheel drive (FWD). This will make the sensors that monitor the condition of the road cease to function.
I strongly recommend you allow the full-time wheel system to be on.
How do I know if my Jeep is AWD or 4WD?
One efficient way to know if your jeep is an all-wheel drive (AWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) is by checking the axle shaft.
An AWD jeep has an axle shaft that runs from the front wheel to the rear-drive axles. In contrast, a 4WD axle shaft does not run from the front wheel to the rear-drive axles.
We normally see the AWD or 4WD pasted at the back of the jeep. That is also a good means of identifying the wheel drive system of your car.
However, this method is only trustworthy when you purchase your jeep directly from the company.
There are certain instances where an individual will purchase a 4WD sticker and place it on an AWD Jeep.
That is a scheme used to increase the resale value of the jeep since the prices of the wheel drive system vary.
Notwithstanding, you can avoid being deceived by checking the owner’s manual since all the information about the jeep is usually contained there.
Another alternative is to visit http://www.autocheck.com. You will find the history of your car there.
So once you enter the site, it will provide a space for you to input the VIN of your car.
After inputting the number, everything about that car will be displayed, including the wheel drive system of the jeep.
All these methods highlighted above are ways you can identify your vehicle’s wheel drive system.
Still, I recommend checking the positioning of your axle shaft as the best and easiest way to know if your jeep is all-wheel drive (AWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD).
Some Jeep models come standard with the 4WD system. These include the Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
However, aside from these models, other brands of jeeps are AWD. Therefore, if you purchase any jeep that is not standard with 4WD, it is an AWD jeep.
Difference between AWD and 4WD?
The difference between an all-wheel-drive (AWD) and a four-wheel drive (4WD) is the amount of power they send to their wheels.
A 4WD sends torque to all the wheels on an equal level, while the power sent to the wheels of an AWD varies depending on the condition of the road.
The all-wheel-drive (AWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) send power to all the four wheels. However, the AWD regulates the amount of power sent depending on the condition.
This method is unlike a 4WD, where the torque sent to all the wheels remains the same regardless of the condition.
This information explains why a 4WD is better for off-road adventures and rugged terrains. But, on the other hand, the AWD is preferable for snowy and icy terrains.
That is because the wheel drive system is adaptable as the weather condition changes by sending more torque to the wheels that need it the most.
When you live in a colder climate where snowfall is common, you may get caught up with either ice or snow when you go out.
The AWD system is structured so that more torque goes to the rear wheels when it begins to snow. That will ensure the car does not slide off the road, thereby preventing an accident.
If the power is needed more by the front-wheel drive, it is pushed there. It depends on the condition you find yourself in.
However, this kind of wheel drive vehicle is not very suitable when taken off the road. So the major difference between a 4WD and an AWD is just how they work.
One other distinguishing factor between these wheel drive systems is the taking off the center differential in a 4WD.
This kind of development in a 4WD is only common with vehicles primarily meant for off-roading.
Ordinarily, the differentials of both the 4WD and AWD are only the front-rear axles and the rear-drive axles.
Only the major off-road kind of 4WD has a center differential.
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Conclusion
Stickers are often time placed at the back of Jeeps to signify their drive system. However, this method is not reliable since dealers can swap the stickers.
The car’s manual also contains information about the wheel drive system of the jeep.
Notwithstanding, an AWD jeep axle shaft runs from the front wheel to the rear-drive axles, unlike the 4WD.
