How do I find out if my car is AWD or FWD?
Understanding whether your car is All-Wheel Drive (AWD) or Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) is crucial for proper maintenance, driving habits, and even tire replacement. At Kevin's Autos, we’ve helped countless customers identify their car’s drivetrain and ensure they’re equipped with the knowledge to care for their vehicles. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to determine your car’s drivetrain type.
What Do AWD and FWD Mean?
Before diving into how to identify your car’s drivetrain, let’s clarify what these terms mean:
- AWD (All-Wheel Drive): Power is distributed to all four wheels, either continuously or on-demand, depending on the system. AWD is common in SUVs and crossovers, offering better traction in various conditions.
- FWD (Front-Wheel Drive): Power is sent only to the front wheels. FWD is common in sedans and compact cars, providing good fuel efficiency and handling for everyday driving.
Steps to Identify Your Car’s Drivetrain
Follow these steps to determine whether your car is AWD or FWD:
- Check Your Owner’s Manual: The easiest way to find out is by consulting your car’s owner’s manual. It will explicitly state whether your car is AWD, FWD, or another drivetrain type like RWD (Rear-Wheel Drive) or 4WD (Four-Wheel Drive).
- Look for Badging on the Vehicle: Many manufacturers include drivetrain information on the car itself. Look for badges on the rear of the vehicle or near the doors that say "AWD" or "FWD."
- Inspect the Undercarriage: If you’re comfortable, you can look underneath your car. AWD vehicles typically have a driveshaft running from the front to the rear wheels, while FWD cars do not.
- Search Online Using Your VIN: Enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) into an online VIN decoder or your manufacturer’s website. This will provide detailed information about your car, including its drivetrain.
- Ask a Professional Mechanic: If you’re still unsure, bring your car to a trusted auto repair shop like Kevin’s Autos. Our experienced technicians can quickly identify your drivetrain and provide any necessary maintenance advice.
Why Knowing Your Drivetrain Matters
Understanding your car’s drivetrain is essential for several reasons:
- Maintenance: AWD systems often require additional maintenance, such as servicing the transfer case or differentials, which FWD cars don’t have.
- Tire Replacement: AWD vehicles typically require all four tires to be replaced at the same time to avoid damaging the drivetrain, while FWD cars don’t have this restriction.
- Driving Conditions: Knowing your drivetrain helps you understand how your car will perform in different weather conditions, such as snow or rain.
Conclusion
Determining whether your car is AWD or FWD is straightforward with the right approach. By checking your owner’s manual, inspecting your car, or consulting a professional, you can gain a better understanding of your vehicle’s capabilities and maintenance needs. At Kevin’s Autos, we’re here to help with all your car care questions and services. Feel free to contact us for expert advice or to schedule an inspection!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if my car is front-wheel drive?
You can simply lie down on the ground and look underneath your vehicle. If there is a long, pole-like shaft (drive shaft) running from the back of the engine area to the rear wheels, you have a rear wheel drive vehicle. If there is no drive shaft running the length of the vehicle, you have a front wheel drive car.
How do I know what wheel my car has?
First, start with the wheel size for your vehicle. You can find that on the sidewall of the tires on your original wheels or the inside frame of the driver's door. Check out Tire Size Explained (Reading the Sidewall) for more. The wheel diameter (in inches or millimeters) is the fifth set of numbers and letters.
Does driving AWD feel different than FWD?
Better Traction: AWD systems deliver power to all four tires, which can provide better traction in slippery conditions like snow or mud. Enhanced Stability and Handling: With power going to all four wheels, AWD vehicles can offer superior stability and handling, especially when cornering.
How do I look up if my car is AWD?
Check the Owner's Manual
The next method you can use to determine whether your car has AWD is checking the owner's manual. The type of drivetrain system your vehicle has should be listed in the “Features” section of the owner's manual.
Is it okay to drive in AWD all the time?
AWD is fine for most normal snow conditions or for light-duty, off-pavement excursions on dirt roads or slippery surfaces. If you'll be driving in severe snow or true off-road situations, or if you're interested in pursuing off-roading as a hobby, you should opt for a vehicle with 4WD and lots of ground clearance.
What does a front-wheel drive look like?
By far the most common layout for a front-wheel-drive car is with the engine and transmission at the front of the car, mounted transversely. Other layouts of front-wheel drive that have been occasionally produced are a front-engine mounted longitudinally, a mid-engine layout and a rear-engine layout.
How can you tell the difference between AWD and 2WD?
if you're able to see under the car, the AWD will have a rear differential and a driveshaft. The 2wd is front wheel drive and doesn't have a driveshaft nor does it have a rear differential.
How do I check my car spec?
Can I check the car specification by registration number? Yes, you can check the car specification by registration number. If you're looking for a more comprehensive report, use our car specification check. We'll provide you with a full report on the car, including its specification, as well as its history.
How can you tell the difference between AWD and RWD?
That is, regardless of the type of road surface or the application in which the AWD car is being used, all four wheels are being used to generate forward momentum. A Rear-Wheel Drive car as the name describes only uses two of the four wheels to develop forward momentum.
How to tell if a vehicle is FWD or AWD?
Most AWD vehicles have a label or badge on the exterior of the vehicle. If you can look under the vehicle and if it only has front axle shafts going to the front wheels it's FWD. A solid axle to the rear wheels or rear axle shafts only it's RWD. Axles to all 4 wheels it's AWD or 4WD.
