Question on AWD.

[Mort and Pam Shuman]

Sure, I'd love to see the photos...normally you see plenty of WRX shots, but
being a fellow TS owner, I'd like to see these shots...

Mort (see reply for email address)

 

[Bill Putney]

When using engine braking <an advanced technique for some> on a 2 wheel
drive (most are one wheel drive) vehicle the engine braking only effects
one or two wheels. On a 4X4 or AWD or whatever the engine braking effects
all the drive wheels which means it effects the wheels with the steering and
the wheels with the most weight (stopping force/traction) ALL the drive
wheels. Like anti-lock but even more effective with all but a clueless
driver. Too bad this technique is being lost because of anti-lock. TG

I've never driven a 4WD or AWD vehicle to any extent, so I'm only asking
this out of common sense (which sometimes agrees with reality, and
sometimes doesn't), but isn't the limiting factor in a panic stop (with
or without ABS) the breakaway force of the tires to pavement, so for
purposes of answering the question of which can stop quicker, as long as
either the brakes by themselves or the brakes with the braking effect of
the engine can cause all four tires to reach the breakaway point, the
stopping time will be the same, everythng else (weight and weight
distribution) being equal?

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

 

[FNO]

I've never driven a 4WD or AWD vehicle to any extent, so I'm only asking
this out of common sense (which sometimes agrees with reality, and
sometimes doesn't), but isn't the limiting factor in a panic stop (with
or without ABS) the breakaway force of the tires to pavement, so for
purposes of answering the question of which can stop quicker, as long as
either the brakes by themselves or the brakes with the braking effect of
the engine can cause all four tires to reach the breakaway point, the
stopping time will be the same, everythng else (weight and weight
distribution) being equal?

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

You would be correct. If the tire size is the same, the weight of the
vehicle is the same and we are talking about the same road surface, it
doesn't matter how many drive wheels you. It takes just as long to stop.

 

[DaBickman]

My '92 SVX LSL has this as well and what I read in the manual is that this
was, at least back in '92, intended to take the rear end off line if there
was a problem with the torque split so that the car could 'limp' to a
dealership for repair as a front wheel drive car. I don't know if it was
designed for limited emergency/temporary use or if it could be used in this
fashion on an as needed basis. I can look in the owners manual to see what
it says if you'd like.

David Bickel

 

[Dan Duncan]

I've never driven a 4WD or AWD vehicle to any extent, so I'm only asking
this out of common sense (which sometimes agrees with reality, and
sometimes doesn't), but isn't the limiting factor in a panic stop (with
or without ABS) the breakaway force of the tires to pavement, so for
purposes of answering the question of which can stop quicker, as long as
either the brakes by themselves or the brakes with the braking effect of
the engine can cause all four tires to reach the breakaway point, the
stopping time will be the same, everythng else (weight and weight
distribution) being equal?

You're exactly right, and it's not difficult to reach that breakaway
point, which is why there's ABS.

4WD/AWD has an advantage slowing down with the engine, but slowing
down isn't stopping and you'd never have time to do much in a panic stop.

You also get an advantage accelerating from a stop with AWD/4WD since
you push against the ground twice as hard if your engine has the power.

-DanD