Many car owners or buyers guess that this is an FWD drive, but only a few know for sure. In this article, we will try to accurately decipher this abbreviation and determine how such a drive differs from a conventional one, whether it has advantages and disadvantages.
FWD drive - what is it?
This abbreviation can be read in different ways. There are at least two options:
- Front Wheel Drive. The car has a front drive axle.
- Full Wheel Drive. The car is all-wheel drive.
There is also an LHD FWD drive. What does it mean? The first three letters mean Left Hand Drive (left-hand drive car), the rest we already know.
Unfortunately, there is no clear definition that would accurately describe the type of FWD drive. The car manufacturer himself decides what exactly he puts into this concept. Therefore, if in the characteristics of one car these three letters can indicate the presence of front-wheel drive, then in another car it may well be interpreted as four-wheel drive.
Therefore, it is not possible to specify exactly which driveFWD is meant. On different machines, this can be a front drive axle or two drive axles.
In general, there are three options: front, rear, full. Each of them has its pros and cons, implementation features, characteristics. It's hard to say which one is better. For different conditions and riding styles, one or another drive is suitable. Let's try to analyze the features of each of them.
FWD FWD
In most cases, this abbreviation means front-wheel drive. Many cars around the world have this type of transmission because of the ease of implementation and high efficiency.
Thanks to the front-wheel drive, the engine and transmission are easy enough to place under the hood of the car. At the same time, the rear part is freed for cargo, fuel tank and passenger seats. This is partly why most manufacturers produce budget cars with a front drive axle.
Usually this involves mounting the engine across the car, due to which the rotation of the crankshaft is transmitted compactly to the wheels. The number of extra "adapters" for transmitting torque is sharply reduced.
Dignity
There is no doubt that this solution for cars offers certain advantages. First of all, it is worth noting the large load on the front axle of the car due to the mass of the engine. Given that this axle is the leading one, the grip of the wheels with the road becomes better. In snow or rainthe car will be more manageable. Under equal circumstances, a front-wheel drive car will begin to skid at a higher speed than a rear-wheel drive car due to better wheel traction. This is one of the main benefits.
The second plus is compactness. As mentioned above, the location of the motor next to the drive wheels simplifies the torque transmission mechanism, which frees up more space under the hood, underbody and even in the cabin. Cost also plays a role. A front-wheel drive car is easier to design and build than a rear-wheel drive car, let alone all-wheel drive.
Flaws
Cons also have a place to be:
- And although these cars are less prone to skidding, if this happens, it becomes very difficult to align the car. Professionals say that if a car with a front drive axle gets into a skid, the driver needs to add gas, but this is impossible to do instinctively. Most immediately apply the brakes, which makes the situation worse.
- Given that the drive wheels are swivel, there is a certain limit on the angle of rotation. Also, some mechanisms here are more prone to wear. First of all, the "grenades" that set the turned wheels in motion deteriorate.
- Given that the main components are located in front of the machine, front-wheel drive makes some adjustments to the wear of certain mechanisms. In particular, when braking, the weight of the vehicle is transferred forward. Consequently, the already heavy front of the car loads the front axle, which is brakedmachinery has to be stopped. Therefore, the brake pads wear out faster. Often in front-wheel drive cars, the rear pads are changed after the front pads have already been replaced two (or even three) times.
- When picking up speed on such a car, part of the weight is transferred back, which worsens traction. Consequently, front-wheel drive is more prone to slip, which is unacceptable for racing cars. That is why many sports cars are rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
So now you fully understand that this is an FWD drive. But there is another type.
Rear wheel drive
We already know that the front wheel drive is FWD, the rear - RWD (Rear Wheel Drive). In cars with this system, the engine is mounted longitudinally along the length of the car and transmits torque to the rear wheels through a long driveshaft. However, due to the simplicity and low cost of rear-wheel drive components in general, the implementation of such a scheme is cheaper in some cases. But keep in mind that modern cars use a lot of expensive modern technologies, which, together with rear-wheel drive, can make a car expensive.
Previously, most vehicles had an exclusively rear drive axle. Due to limitations in the technology of the time, mechanics could not imagine how to make the front axle drive, and even make the wheels turn.
Dignity
Performance is the first plus of rear-wheel drive FWD. When accelerating, the weight of the carmoves back and is perceived by the rear drive wheels. Therefore, the likelihood of their slipping is reduced. Therefore, famous sports cars Ferrari, Lamborghini, Dodge, etc. use this option.
If in a front-wheel drive car the driving wheels are responsible for the movement and turning of transport, then in a rear-wheel drive car these functions can be divided. Heavy mechanical components can be positioned front and rear to keep weight balanced and not overload any one axle. In theory, this could increase handling.
Although rear-wheel drive cars are easier to get into a skid, they are also easier to get out of it. Developers, freeing the front wheels from unnecessary elements, can significantly increase the turning radius. As a result, the vehicle's maneuverability will increase.
Flaws
The first minus is the need to implement a "tunnel" of the transmission, which will run through the center of the car, occupying the interior space. The second minus is the worst handling in rain and snow. Turns must be entered very carefully in winter.
Four-wheel drive
Note that sometimes the letters FWD mean a four-wheel drive vehicle (Full Wheel Drive). Cars with such a system are more expensive, and most often it is implemented in large jeeps, crossovers, and is rarely found in small cars.
Of course, all-wheel drive vehicles have better cross-country ability, they easily pass those places where the car withone leading axle will get stuck for a long time and will simply slip. Modern technologies of all-wheel drive systems are very advanced. For example, in most of these machines, the system initially loads the front axle, and when the computer notices even a slight deterioration in traction, it automatically transfers some of the engine power to the rear axle. As a result, the car does not lose momentum and does not spend extra energy on slipping.
Also, due to the all-wheel drive, the car is well controlled, especially when cornering. In any case, four-wheel drive is better, but such solutions are much more expensive.
Front or rear
Which drive is better - RWD, FWD? This is always a topical issue for many car owners. At the moment, we can safely say that cars with a front drive axle are better. They have more important advantages and front-wheel drive is ideal for a budget car. Rear-wheel drive is justified when it comes to choosing a sports car. In everyday city life, it is the car with the front drive axle that shows itself better. According to many car owners, the winner is obvious. And do not be surprised that this is an FWD drive. This is partly why most manufacturers produce just such models.
In conclusion
Now you know what it is - FWD drive, its features, pros and cons. Be careful when choosing a car and be sure to consider its drive axle when driving on the roads.
