How does AWD work and do you need it? With AWD technology, all four wheels receive torque from the engine simultaneously, allowing each tire to rotate at different speeds. Independent tire rotation improves a vehicle’s overall handling and stability, making it useful in rain, snow and dry pavement. All of the extra equipment needed for AWD makes the vehicle heavier; therefore, AWD vehicles usually have less fuel efficiency.
Remember, AWD is not 4WD. Four-wheel drive is usually found on trucks and SUVs that are made to go off road. AWD is mostly found on compact cars, sedans, CUVs and SUVs and it is not advised to take AWD vehicles out on unpaved roads, in mud or in deep snow.
Something else to remember is that AWD systems are also not always in full AWD mode. In fact, AWD vehicles drive most of the time just as any front-wheel-drive car. With advanced AWD technology, however, engine power automatically goes to the rear wheels when the front wheels begin to slip.
Hope this helps and brings some light at the end of the tunnel.
