Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Are four wheel drive vehicles better because they're safer?

Nerys · 05-16-2008, 06:32 AM

Bror the question was not asked like that so I did not answer like that. Fact is 4wd IS safer in ALL conditions if driven LIKE a 4wd.

4wd is NEVER safer if driven like a sports car.

How much safer well thats another discussion and was now what was asked :-)

I have an 88 Cherokee. 31" mudders Full SKids Plates Rancho 9000's all around 4" suspension lift and Pre Ethanol I could squeeze an average commute of 24mpg out of it. Owe and it weighs less than a Wrangler :-) My minivan masses way more than my cherokee does. (they were built very light 3k)

Many peoples "compact cars" can not get that :-)

I love my cherokee. NOW I actually used the 4wd. I would go off roading sometimes weekly in the summer years ago. The Cherokee also had selec trac 4wd IE full time 4wd mode so I could use it in ANY conditions with almost ZERO mpg hit (open center diff) At least I was never able to measure a reliable mpg difference.

Most people do not realize you can NOT USE 4wd in 99% of the conditions you will normally encounter in day to day driving. EVEN in snow. If you can "see" asphalt you should not be in 4wd (unless it has a full time mode like the longer jeeps did the shorter CJ YJ jeeps were too short to hold the select trac transfer case)

Frank. Thats because these people get hyped up by less than educated salesman (and there own lack of reasoning and research) into thinking there invincible in 4wd.

4 brakes is 4 brakes no matter if your 2wd or 4wd. :-)

AWD is a fantastic improvement when coupled with traction control. DRAMATICALLY increase onroad safety in the nastier climates IE anything above mid Pennsylvania or the north west etc.. IE if you typically get snow AWD with traction control is priceless. They really have come a long way with this and with MINIMAL mass penalties as well !! remember that little subaru does not need giant dana 44 rears etc.. far lower stresses far lighter smaller components.

Now if your in florida. Well thats just wasted mass :-) I live in PA. our winters the last 10 years have been VERY mild. prior to that we would get some doosies. Staying home was not an option if I wanted to be fed :-)

05-16-2008, 06:32 AM	#42 (permalink)
Nerys Grrr :-) Join Date: May 2008 Location: Levittown PA Posts: 800 Cherokee - '88 Jeep Cherokee 90 day: 19.44 mpg (US) Ryo-Ohki - '94 Geo Metro Xfi 90 day: 50.15 mpg (US) Vger 2 - '00 Plymouth Grand Voyager SE Ninja - '89 Geo Tracker 90 day: 30.27 mpg (US) Thanks: 12 Thanked 31 Times in 25 Posts	Bror the question was not asked like that so I did not answer like that. Fact is 4wd IS safer in ALL conditions if driven LIKE a 4wd. 4wd is NEVER safer if driven like a sports car. How much safer well thats another discussion and was now what was asked :-) I have an 88 Cherokee. 31" mudders Full SKids Plates Rancho 9000's all around 4" suspension lift and Pre Ethanol I could squeeze an average commute of 24mpg out of it. Owe and it weighs less than a Wrangler :-) My minivan masses way more than my cherokee does. (they were built very light 3k) Many peoples "compact cars" can not get that :-) I love my cherokee. NOW I actually used the 4wd. I would go off roading sometimes weekly in the summer years ago. The Cherokee also had selec trac 4wd IE full time 4wd mode so I could use it in ANY conditions with almost ZERO mpg hit (open center diff) At least I was never able to measure a reliable mpg difference. Most people do not realize you can NOT USE 4wd in 99% of the conditions you will normally encounter in day to day driving. EVEN in snow. If you can "see" asphalt you should not be in 4wd (unless it has a full time mode like the longer jeeps did the shorter CJ YJ jeeps were too short to hold the select trac transfer case) Frank. Thats because these people get hyped up by less than educated salesman (and there own lack of reasoning and research) into thinking there invincible in 4wd. 4 brakes is 4 brakes no matter if your 2wd or 4wd. :-) AWD is a fantastic improvement when coupled with traction control. DRAMATICALLY increase onroad safety in the nastier climates IE anything above mid Pennsylvania or the north west etc.. IE if you typically get snow AWD with traction control is priceless. They really have come a long way with this and with MINIMAL mass penalties as well !! remember that little subaru does not need giant dana 44 rears etc.. far lower stresses far lighter smaller components. Now if your in florida. Well thats just wasted mass :-) I live in PA. our winters the last 10 years have been VERY mild. prior to that we would get some doosies. Staying home was not an option if I wanted to be fed :-)