Maintenance/Repairs. meiatflask February 11, 2008, 6:20pm 1. I have recently purchased a 2000 Toyota Tacoma pick up truck with 4 wheel drive. This is my first experience with a 4x4, and want some advice on its use. This truck has the front wheel hubs that you have to lock, and an extra shifter that you shift into 4 wheel drive at up to 25 mph. There’s a reason: AWD or 4WD cars have to send power to each of the vehicle’s wheels, which requires extra energy. This means 2WD cars are less complex than those with AWD or 4WD, and their simpler drivetrains mean improved fuel economy in the long run. AWD cars also offer worse gas mileage than 2WD rivals because they’re heavier. What Is All-Wheel Drive and How Does It Work? All-wheel drive (AWD) refers to a system in which a car's engine sends power to move all four wheels. AWD, as its name indicates, sends power to each wheel to help keep your vehicle driving better than a vehicle with front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive on slippery, ice-covered roads. In reality It is possible that you only have 2WD, but the Escape is not really a 4WD, it's an AWD. It runs in front wheel drive until it senses slippage at the front wheels, then it engages the rear wheels. Check for an indicator light on the panel you mentioned. It will light up if the rear wheels are engaged. Basically in Auto mode the truck is 2WD until a slippage is detected as said above. Once the slippage has been corrected, back to 2WD you go. Be advised, 4WD "Lock" mode does not actually keep you in 4WD. Again, the truck will only engage 4WD when it detects loss of traction. This is why 4MOTION is considered to be a permanently engaged four-wheel-drive system. The distribution of power to all four wheels becomes active before wheelspin occurs. A loss of traction is therefore virtually excluded. There is no fixed distribution of power. Power distribution is continuously adjusted to actual driving conditions. Ford F-150 may be equipped with 4-wheel drive system that helps you drive through tough terrain. To select a four-wheel drive mode, press the four-wheel drive mode control button of the desired mode. You can select two-wheel drive high (2H), four-wheel drive high (4H), or if your vehicle has four-wheel drive auto (4A) at a stop or while driving Full time four-wheel-drive is a type of off-road drivetrain. A permanent 4WD vehicle puts power to all four of its wheels, all the time. Automakers are currently advertising several modern vehicles with full time 4WD. These include some Jeeps and off-road trucks such as the Ram 1500 TRX and Ford F-150 Raptor. .

how does auto 4 wheel drive work