The way I understand this.. [all wheel drive]

I see what you mean, I think those multi modes are still part time with center diff. Admittedly I am not familiar with those as I have never owned a vehicle with that. I have only owned the standard 3 that I was referencing earlier.

 

ACKSHUALLY

If I go one click on the parking brake on an S60R or V70R, it becomes 2WD. It disables the AWD. That's how the guys run them on a dyno that isn't an AWD dyno.

 

Yea, there supposed to be part time from what I know of them. But they have awd and 4wd. Which I enjoy around here when it snows. And it’s softer on all the driveline parts off road.

 

In a tacoma? that's pretty cool. you got a build thread?

 

Somewhat. I think most of the conversion is in there.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/evolution-of-the-taco-2x-two-4-wheel-drive.448441/

 

what about the 2nd gen highlanders that are advertised as awd but are fwd with rear wheel assist, and a center locking diff.

 

That’s how my wife’s rav4 is. Claims you can lock the center but idk how true when it’s a viscosity coupler

 

OK. I have both. A 2019 RX350 F sport awd and a 2019 Taco Sport 4wd. I' trying to ask about black ice on highway roads. In Tennessee we have black ice. Dry spots AND back ice spots and snow spots all on one highway. From the information I'm getting the Taco w/4wd would not be advised on this type road. The manual warns you about driving on dry pavement. What makes this worse is that most roads in East Tn are mountainous. I think driving the Lexus might be better. Do you agree?

 

You can drive in 4hi on crappy low traction roads. Just be mindful of turning.
If you turn sharp, you’ll bind up the drive lines and with enough force break something. Highway turns aren’t the worst, it’s city streets that you make tight turns. If the turn is dry flip into 2wd to make it

 

Many AWD cars will disable the rear wheels under certain conditions. For example, if the rear diff temperature on a Focus RS gets to high it will disable the rear diff until temps come back down into operation range. Also, the Volvo example of earlier.

 

Ford used a bunch of Volvo’s technology when developing the ST/RS IIRC

 

I would agree. You dont need to be on full time 4wd on any hard dry surface, even if it has slick spots. AWD is actually king for winter weather of any kind unless you just have deep slush snow.

 

Any brand that was ever merged with Ford uses some of each others Tech. Range Rover/Jag use alot of Ford tech to this day (however they are working away from that.)

 

You could always just buy Subarus instead.

 

Of course they dont make them anymore, but my 06 Evo was leaps and bounds better in the snow than my 03 wrx.

 

I like AWD for the stability in heavy rain. I see that more than deep snow and mud.

 

Yea but I’m talking the other way around. Ford bought Volvo back in early 2000s and used the subframe and other shit from Volvo’s nedcar platform (original S40) when making the Focus. And then they sold Volvo to Gheely.

 

Winter driving heavily depends on the car also. One of the best vehicles Ive ever driven in the snow was my wife's 08 Xterra 2wd. The traction control and auto lsd on that thing were PERFECTION. We got stuck in it once and it was on sheet ice trying to go uphill.

 

AWD is great on ice, light snow or mild off road conditions. 4X4 can work in those conditions, but should never be used on hard dry surfaces where traction is good. In more extreme off road conditions, mud, sand, rocks, steep off road inclines etc. 4X4 is far superior. AWD can be used on any road conditions, wet, dry, it doesn't matter. 4X4 should NOT be used on wet rainy roads. AWD generally doesn't have a low range option.

Many vehicles are made that can be used in AWD. Ford offers an option where the truck is 4X2, and can be switched to AWD for wet roads, and then to true 4X4 for more severe off road conditions. I think Chevy and Dodge offer something similar, but I'm not as familiar with them.

And this isn't anything new. This 1975 Jeep truck ran in AWD and a switch could be turned to lock the transfer case making it true 4X4. Back in the 1970s most all trucks offered this option. In fact you couldn't buy a Chevy, Jeep or Dodge truck without it. Ford offered both versions. This truck got about 6 mpg city and 11 hwy. When gas prices went up due to the gas shortages of the 1970's manufactures went away from this system to get a little better fuel economy.

 

That old Jeep would probably be worth like $80,000 now! —then again...so does a brand new Gladiator...