Date: Sun, 23 Jun 2002 11:22:03 -0400 From: Four Weis <mweinopsamcom> Subject: Re: 4 wheel drive
AWD or four wheel drive has its advantages, primarily off road, but also its disadvantages, several of which have been mentioned already - cost more at purchase, maintenance is high and they use more fuel(not always true). Another one, which Volvo Cross Country owners have complained about is the need to replace ALL FOUR tires at the same time. They get a flat after 10,000 miles and they are shocked when they are told they cannot replace just the one tire. It drives the AWD system crazy when one or more wheels rotates at a different rpm than the other wheels. It thinks the other wheels are "slipping" due to lack of traction. When this issue is resolved, and it will eventually, maybe then AWD cars will be useful and cost effective. The solution might be something as simple as improved computer programs for the AWD system. Imagine your car asking you in a pleasant voice if you replaced the right front tire(whatever happened to the talking car systems?). If you answer yes, then it would then "measure" the rolling diameter of the new tire and use that factor to help determine if the car is really losing traction on the other wheels. Beam me up Scotty! Paul Hudson wrote: > "Skid" <skid2nopsami.com> wrote in > news:5V1R8.39546$EP.2984nopsamnsc03: > > > You are welcome to your opinions, but they show a lack of > > experience with the Saabs you are criticising. > > > > Not necessarily. I'd like a 4WD Saab - I've got a 9000, and > since I live in the UK, snow's not the problem. However, there > have been numerous times I'd have liked a bit more traction - > pulling away in a hurry when turning right (left, to you > Americans :-)) in the wet often leaves the front wheels > scrabbling for grip. > > Lots of horsepower in a FWD car isn't ideal. I don't really > understand why they haven't done a 4WD up to now... > > P.
