As in automobile.
4 wheel drive, as opposed to a 4x2 (2 wheel drive).
To further the explination, that’s [how many wheels]x[how many wheels have power going to them]
Thanks for clearing that up for me. I thought it might be something different from 4WD or AWD.
Actually, 4WD and AWD are not exactly the same. Generally 4WD (4 wheel drive) vehicles give you the option to use 2 wheel drive for normal situations and shift into 4 wheel when needed. These vehicles are the ones usually referred to as 4x4’s. An AWD (All Wheel Drive) vehicle has all 4 wheels engaged all the time.
Aha! Got it now. Thanks
Ok, so what is “real time AWD” ? I don’t remember the car, but it sounds like spin to me.
I don’t recall who uses the trademark “real time AWD” – I think it’s Honda. It’s not just spin; it actually does provide benefits. Several manufacturers have similar systems. Two wheels receive power all the time. Power is delivered automatically to the other two when certain wheel slip conditions are detected. This is the normal mode on the Ford Escape, for example, and delivers better fuel economy. ISTR it also delivers better handling in most conditions.
All the car stuff has been answered… but also a 4x4 is a special order at In-N-Out Burger… 4 patties, 4 slices of cheese.
Just posted for the sake of completeness. = )
And lest we forget a 4x4 is lumber that is 3 1/2" square in section.
Yes, but can we put cheese on that wood and drive it in the snow? That is what enquiring minds want to know!
True. If anything it is the antithesis of spin. 
I believe there’s also 4x4x4, meaning (I think) a four-wheeled vehicle, which has power delivered to all four wheels, but is also steered by means of all four wheels being movable.
AAAAHHH!! A new Holy Grail for the gigi. Off to search for closest In-and-Out Burger. Oh, Sparks, Nevada. 2853 mi, 42.5 hours. Not bad.
:eek:
Oh c’mon now, I see you are from Texas… isn’t that what they call an appetizer there? = )
It’s probably worth pointing out that ‘4x4’ crops up in Britain in a disapproving tone, when used in a similar context to ‘SUV’ in America.
What sort of a guts could eat all that?
It would save me the trouble of ordering two double cheeseburgers. Fewer carbs, too. 