All-Wheel Drive

On an all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicle the power from the transmission is transferred to the front wheels and rear wheels. All-wheel drive systems are different from four-wheel drive systems. All-wheel drive vehicles use electronics to control the power transfer to the wheels. Speed sensors are mounted on each wheel to monitor wheel traction. The benefit of an all-wheel drive vehicle is that when traction is lost at any one wheel, the power is automatically transferred to another. The result is superior traction and control. More and more automotive manufacturers are using all-wheel drivetrain systems on a broad range of vehicles.