Why is driving in 4wd under normal conditions bad?

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So i was reading a bit about 4wd vs awd but i couldn’t understand why using 4wd under normal circumstances is bad. Most articles were pretty vague and basically just said dont do it. Why specifically is it bad for a vehicle?

In: Engineering

5 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

I wouldn’t say it’s particularly bad, but under certain conditions, less beneficial.

In a 2WD model, the engine only needs to power 2 wheels. In a 4WD model, the engine has to power 4. This can put more stress on the engine, and due to yhe increased weight of a 4WD drivetrain, it also increases fuel consumption.

Now, 4WD is good for offroading and icy or wet road conditions. All it really does is provide more traction where it’s due. Under normal conditions, it can help you accelerate faster than a 2WD vehicle, but more often than not, at an increased fuel consumption.

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