Do I need a 4x4?
What is 4WD?
Typically, a 4x4, or four wheel drive (4WD), vehicles tend to be trucks and SUV’s. They come equipped with a 4WD mode that sometimes either needs to be manually engaged by the driver, or comes as standard and is used primarily for challenging conditions such as rough terrain, steep hills, mud and snow.
How does 4WD work?
If you have a regular two wheel drive vehicle then you’ll have just two of the wheels that are powered by the engine. If you come across some testing terrain in a 2WD, then the two stagnant wheels will have to work extremely hard.
However, when engaging a 4WD mode, you’ll have twice the traction, as there will be power going to both the wheels in the front and the back.
What is the difference between 4H and 4L?
4WD vehicles have two modes; 4 high and 4 low, which are both manually selectable, so as a driver you need to be aware of when the right time is to engage each one.
4H is geared towards slippery conditions, packed snow, ice, and gravel, while 4L provides better torque, which is better for off-roading and rock crawling.
4X4 pros
Great if you regularly have to deal with poor weather
Good for towing a caravan or trailer
Perfect for off-roading
4X4 cons
Extra weight - this can impair handling and braking
Less economical due to the extra weight
Not so great for driving on normal roads unless you have a selectable 4WD system
4X4’s on the market
Cars such as the Land Rover Defender, Toyota Land Cruiser and Mitsubishi Shogun Sport all have a selectable 4X4 driving mode as well as two wheel drive.
4x4 alternatives
Some manufacturers, including Peugeot and Citroen have designed advanced traction control systems as a substitute for the traditional 4WD system. They’ve dubbed their system ‘Grip Control’ which provides extra traction in bad conditions, without the extra weight and therefore worse efficiency of a 4WD.
The one benefit of traditional 4x4’s is they have a lot more ground clearance compared to standard car models but they do have powerful enough engines to climb steep hills. The size of some standard cars also help improve manoeuvrability while offroad.
Ultimately though, whether a 4x4 is right for you comes down to the following factors; will you be using it often? For example, do you work on rural land or go off-roading every weekend? Do you live in a location with tough terrain you have to deal with daily and poor weather conditions? If the answer is yes to these questions, a 4x4 is likely going to be a good choice for you.
View our range of 4x4’s perfect for outdoor living at Hilton Garage.