"Exit" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:
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> Douglas A. Shrader wrote:
> > "Exit" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> >> L0nD0t.$t0we11" <"L0nD0t.$t0we11 wrote:
> >>> Roughly 1/6/04 14:40, DBurch7672's monkeys randomly typed:
> >>>
> >>>> Part-time 4WD is pointless - if you're going to have 4WD have it
> >>>> all the time.
> >>>
> >>> That's one opinion. Not one held by anyone with a clue about
> >>> 4x4 drive systems, but an opinion nontheless.
> >>>>
> >> So, errr, what exactly is the advantage of part-time 4WD?
> >
> > I can turn much sharper in 2 wheel drive than I can when I engage the
> > four wheel drive, tthe last full time I had (a Jeep pickup) would eat
> > a set of front tires in 10,000 miles, you get better fuel milage in 2
> > wheel drive, you have less wear and tear on the vehicle in 2 wheel
> > drive and 95% of the time I don't need four wheel drive, but when I
> > need it I NEED it, so what would be the point of full time?
>
> If your 4WD setup reduces your turning ability and eats tyres like that it
> must be a very bad setup.
You simply cannot turn the front wheels as sharply when you have an axle
trying to turn also as you can with no turning axle. Even the part time 4x4
will bind when making a sharp turn in 4 wheel drive mode.
I'm sure not all full time 4x4's eat tires like that Jeep did, but they
still have accelerated tire wear, now way around it.
My tyres (with fulltime 4WD) last 40,000 miles and
> handling is unaffected. As for fuel consumption, the savings are very
> marginal from what I have experienced, perhaps there are some figures that
> would demonstrate the savings? As for wear and tear, well it must be a
> delicate vehicle if driving your 4WD in 4WD wears it out prematurely.
Drive a part time 4x4 and you wouldn't make such statements. Tires, sure,
you get 40,000 in fulltime, you might get 60,000 on the same tires with part
time, and your handling is affected, you are just compensating for it.
Milage varies greatly, large decrease when driving in four wheel drive mode,
even the owners manuals will tell you that, not to mention the hit you see
when you refuel.
>
> The point of full-time 4WD is that it is always there when you need it.
You
> hit a greasy bit of tarmac, its already there, pulling out of a wet
> junction - already there. Patchy snow covered road with some clear tarmac,
> already there. Towing heavy loads on road etc, etc.
THe point of learning to drive, you don't need it there. Hit a greasy bit of
tarmac, who cares, just go on across, you don't need four wheel drive for
that. Wet junction, same thing, even if it's solid ice you don't need four
wheel drive, you just need driving ability. None of the items you listed
require four wheel drive, sure in some cases it makes it a bit easier, but
not required by any means
>
> I wonder if part-time is so good, why all manufacturers have or are
dumping
> it?
Many good ideas are left behind because the general public is to dumb to
survive without help. Sure there are smart individuals but they don't buy
enough to control the market. Please don't take that as a personal insult,
it isn't intended as such. Don't know about your country but quality is
fading fast here because to many people base purchase decisions on price.
Why spend $20.00 on a wrench when I can buy this one for $2.00? Then when
the $2.00 bends they gripe about it "they don't build things like they used
to", then they go out and buy another $2.00 wrench. Part time is great for
people like me, I really don't care what you want to drive. You asked for
reasons, I gave you reasons. To and for me they are valid, to each his own.
