When you're shopping for a used or new car, you'll often come across acronyms such as "4WD" and "AWD" that may be confusing at first. These two systems—four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive—send power to your wheels to ensure your car can work through everything from fast turns to high elevations and snowy conditions. Learn more about the differences between these systems to determine which is best for you.

What Is 4WD?

Four-wheel drive is a power system typically found in trucks and SUVs. It's especially useful when you're interested in off-road driving on unpaved surfaces, as 4WD automatically sends the same amount of extra power to all four wheels. When you're off the road on a slippery or uneven surface, that equal power allows for much better traction, enabling you to gain control when another vehicle would sputter.

However, that equally distributed power can make driving on standard surfaces a little more challenging. For example, when committing to turns, certain wheels must move faster than others, but that isn't as easy when they're receiving the same concentrations of power. To alleviate that issue, there's "part-time 4WD," which allows the vehicle to operate in regular 2WD until it's necessary to switch.

How Is AWD Different?

AWD is a more recently developed system that tends to work better in vehicles that spend the majority of their time on the road, such as sedans and wagons. The critical difference is that AWD sends power to each wheel, but that power is differentiated based on the need. Essentially, the system will transfer power from wheels that lack good traction to ones that have it, boosting the driver's degree of control and improving the fuel economy.

As useful as the system is, AWD can't compete with the off-road capabilities of 4WD. However, since the entire mode is automated, it's become a favorite of consumers that are looking to buy new cars.

If you want to buy a new car with 4WD or AWD, head over to Crescent Ford in High Point, NC. This local, family-owned business has a wide selection of Ford trucks and cars to ensure you get exactly what you need. To find out if a specific vehicle is available, call (336) 869-2181. Learn more about the Ford dealership and their used and new cars by visiting them online.