# AWD versus 4-Wheel Drive High

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awd-versus-4-wheel-drive-high/846320>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 12, 2020, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awd-versus-4-wheel-drive-high/846320 "2020-01-12T20:41:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\
**Post date:** [January 20, 2020, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awd-versus-4-wheel-drive-high/846320/43 "2020-01-20T23:50:13Z")

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> [@swampspruce](#):
>
> We always travel with two trucks, 12000 lb winches on the front, 8000 bumper mount back, winter survival gear, and full toolkits and full survival; kits each. We don’t mess around when we’re 70 miles from the nearest road… 🙂

Oh. Remote. Communication towers or something? Ecological monitoring?

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**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2020, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awd-versus-4-wheel-drive-high/846320/44 "2020-01-22T19:42:07Z")

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> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#):
>
> But modern AWD systems like in the Chevy Blazers and Equinoxes I sell, are selectable AWD systems, either from a button push or as part of a mode selection dial. So that’s a fairly new development. What isn’t is that you still have to drive to the conditions, LOL.

I just swapped my 2019 Expedition for a 2020 Explorer, and apparently the AWD can’t be turned off, which has me scratching my head a bit. No, none of the other driving modes turn it off, either.

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**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awd-versus-4-wheel-drive-high/846320/45 "2020-01-23T00:35:15Z")

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> [@Balthisar](#):
>
> I just swapped my 2019 Expedition for a 2020 Explorer, and apparently the AWD can’t be turned off, which has me scratching my head a bit. No, none of the other driving modes turn it off, either.

My Wifes Subaru Ascent is the same as was her last Outback. I think it just makes it easier overall to design systems that are generally trying to take away bad input from a driver from the system.

Many cars have AWD as standard. Some people need it, some don’t. Many don’t understand the difference between 4x4 and AWD. What is a car company to do? Probably cheaper for some models, at least to just go with AWD.

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