Posts Tagged ‘four-wheel drive’

Has Your Family Got Too Big For Your Car?

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

7 seater cars are big cars that will carry seven people including the driver. In several nations, average size or larger families use them as their base family car. Vehicle manufacturers often promote 7 seater cars as minivans and SUVs but in Australia they’re frequently referred to as people movers and four wheel drives.

People movers tend to be more spacious than four wheel drives and have a rather more box type shape to them. They are designed for made roads in city areas and have minimal off road ability. They have better fuel usage than four wheel drives because they aren’t built as heavy, and the servicing costs will be lower.

In Australia there are numerous people movers available including Chrysler Voyager, Citroen C4 Picasso, Hyundai iMax, Mitsubishi Grandis, Renault Grand Scenic, Toyota Tarago, Toyota Avensis, Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life, Volkswagen Multi Van, Volkswagen Caravelle and the enormously popular Kia Carnival and Honda Odyssey.

Four-wheel drives became highly regarded due to their flexibility, design and high driving position and are now produced by most manufacturers. Models include Audi Q7, Ford Territory, BMW X6, Hyundai Santa Fe, Land Rover Discovery, Kia Sorento, Mercedes GL Class, Mitsubishi Pajero, Mitsubishi Challenger, Nissan Pathfinder, Subaru Tribeca, Nissan Patrol, Volvo XC90 and Toyota Kluger, Landcruiser and Prado. These cars seat 6 to 8 passengers and are available with different drive options including two-wheel, four-wheel and all-wheel drive.

Two wheel drives are designed for families that travel generally on made roads. They are most often driven by the 2 rear wheels only and have lower fuel consumption than the four wheel drive version.

Four wheel drive 7 seater cars work well for families that look to go on off-road journeys as they typically have more powerful engines and all 4 wheels are driven. This enables the car to be driven on rough terrain such as off road sandy or muddy roads. Some four wheel drives can switch between two-wheel and four-wheel drive depending on the use and some have all-wheel drive that means all wheels are driven all of the time.

With the quantity of 7 seater cars on the market it’s an exciting time for car buyers who are trying to find a car that will not only carry a big family but will also suit their way of life.

Craig McCarthy from 7 Seater will give you the latest information so you will find the best 7 Seater car for your family.

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Four By Four Equals Adventure

Monday, December 5th, 2011

In the minds of many South Africans the phrase four by four means voyage Off the beaten track regions, backpacking, enjoyment, sun and family time instantly pops into their heads.

The South African landscape and landscapes further lends itself well towards the concept of 4 x 4 ventures in many ways. Therefore, there is a significant market for four by four vehicles though it is estimated that 50% of all 4×4 vehicles sold never leaves the tar roads. This alone is an incredible statistic, meaning that regardless of the inviting geography and terrain, some 50% of SA buyers find different reasons to buy this type of car -image perhaps?

The 4 x4 has a quite vast application span from leisure time to work purposes to even military services uses. The four by four is further accessible in many forms. There is the traditional jeep form, the very popular bakkie form and a large variety of SUV’s (Sport Utility Vehicles). All these body variations and applications make the 4 x 4 concept appealing to a large cross section of the motor vehicle market who would buy such car however, there could possibly be no goal of using the vehicle in any “off-road” activity.

The 4 x 4 has undergone many improvements during the last decade where many of them are luxurious motor vehicles and in some cases even fall in the super deluxe class. In the last illustration, such vehicles cost anything from R600 000 to more than R1 000 000 and perhaps understandingly the owners would be most unwilling to go “bundu-bashing” in such magnificence

The longer term commercial weak spot of the present era “true” 4x 4, however, lies in today’s world dilemma of Earth Warming. The majority of today’s true 4 x 4 beasts have engine dimensions of 3 to 6 litres and spew out copious amounts of Co2 in comparison to their milder and meeker brother, the “soft” four by four which generally have smaller engines, less power and lesser off-road capacities. The greater number of 4 x 4 vehicles sold is the larger variety because of their superior abilities and wider application appeal. As pressure, nonetheless, begins to mount on manufacturers to stick to new emission standards and emission taxes take their toll on these large machines their desirability will start to wane. This eventually will force manufacturers to either re-develop the true 4×4 to a milder and more acceptable version (a very expensive exercise) or alternatively address the “soft” version and improve its 4 x 4 features and performance within eco-friendly acceptable parameters.

Such tactic however will put pay to sporting events such as off -road competitions, the Dakar and the Kalahari epic, which events are breeding grounds for future technological development. It will further seriously impact on overland safaris and expeditions.

Perhaps a good start is to reduce the production of the present huge engine SUV’s that are mere status symbols with limited if any real off-road use and in some situations real 4 x 4 capacities? This is certainly a statement that will be discussed for several years to come

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What Is The Difference Between Cars 4WD And AWD?

Friday, May 28th, 2010

Whether you’re in the market for a SUV, pickup, or car, you’ve probably come across this question at one point or another: What’s the difference between 4WD and AWD? Both distribute power to all four wheels of a standard vehicle, as opposed to the standard front- or rear-wheel drive of 2WD vehicles. The power of the added system could be beneficial if you live in a place where you are driving in mud and snow. Many consumers, however, don’t know what the difference between the two is.

Even though they cost more, 4WD and AWD could save you

While a vehicle with either of the two systems is more expensive than a two-wheel drive vehicle, you’re less likely to find yourself stranded on the road during less-than-optimal driving conditions, whether caused by weather or environment. Get more auto loans for a safer 4-wheel drive care or get something less: the choice is the buyer’s. You can get help choosing between 4WD and AWD by the summary from How Stuff Works below.

4WD only part time – throw the switch when it’s needed

In attempting to answer what’s the difference between 4WD and AWD, start with part-time 4WD. This is the basic way 4WD is offered; there is a switch that switched between 2WD and 4WD. Excessive mechanical wear can be avoided as long as 4WD is avoided on pavement. Some vehicles in this class have a basic 2WD/4WD toggle, and some have added options like 4WD High and 4WD Low (the latter and should only be used in extreme off-road scenarios). Newer part-time 4WD vehicles allow the driver to make a shift from 2WD to 4WD High while the car is moving but must be stopped before moving from 2WD to 4WD Low. Older part-time 4WD vehicles must be stopped before any such shift can occur. If you will only be using 4WD occasionally, then part time 4WD is the best choice for you. Frequent changes in the driving conditions that would mean a constant switch between 2WD and 4WD are both inconvenient for the driver and add a lot of wear and tear on the drive train.

When you want to keep it running – full time 4WD

This is a more advanced form of 4WD that can be left on without placing undue strain on the drive train. High and Low settings are available, as well as an automatic 4WD. With most vehicles, shifting from high to low while in 4WD will mean the vehicle needs to be completely stopped. Drivers who tend to drive under adverse situations more often can avoid the tedious 2WD/4WD switching and go with this full-time 4WD option.

No switch with AWD-4WD

All-wheel drive sends power to all wheels of the vehicle in a similar fashion to four-wheel drive vehicles, but a 2WD switch is typically not present. AWD locks the vehicles axles and automatically feeds power to all wheels on slippery roads. Most AWD vehicles are great for slippery roadway conditions, but are not intended for rugged off-road excursions. Certain AWD vehicles such as the Dodge Durango and Toyota 4Runner will offer a low-gear AWD setting that allows for tougher roads. AWD usually doesn’t add much weight to the car and is good for any weather condition.

Which is safer – 4WD or AWD?

Both are supposed better than 2WD but How Stuff Works says: that doesn’t mean 4WD and AWD are automatically safer. Drivers should keep in mind that while 4WD and AWD help acceleration, they do not help with cornering and braking. On wet, snowy roads, it matters little whether you have a 4WD, AWD or 2WD vehicle when it comes to maneuvering and stopping. Having good brakes, having a fine suspension, and using the right set of ties will be more important.

Article Sources

How Stuff Works

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/your-ride-4wd-vs-awd-cga.htm

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