THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN 4X4 AND 4X2 VEHICLES - When a 4-wheel vehicle turns the outside tires spin faster than the inside tires. The differential in the axle will compensate for the further distance that the outside wheel travels than the inside one. When you drive on a slick surface the power from the engine will go to the wheel with the least amount of traction, so whichever wheel is slipping the most gets the most power. That's because of the laws of nature, a.k.a. physics, tell us that force will always take the path of least resistance. When an OHV is in four-wheel drive mode the front and rear axles are synchronized so there is always at least one wheel on each of the drive axles that can be driven by the engine's power effectively. If you're in a 4x2 vehicle you can trick it into acting like a 4x4 by pressing the brake pedal slightly to slow down the wheel that's spinning and transfer that wheel's energy to the wheel with traction. A 4x4 vehicle that has four-wheel drive (4WD). "4x4" in a 4WD vehicle means there are 4 wheels total and 4 wheels that are driven. Utility quads are typically 4x4. Part-Time 4WD - This refers to an OHV that has a 4-wheel drive system which operates on-demand and powers all four wheels by synchronizing front and rear axles together via a shift lever. Part-Time 4WDs usually include two-speed ranges, Hi and Lo. Full-Time 4WD - This refers to a 4-wheel-drive system that can be operated at all times on all surfaces. Full-time 4-wheel-drive systems usually have the option of part-time operation so you can shift to 2WD while on cement or pavement. Full-Time 4WD systems do not always have the Hi and Lo speed ranges.

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The Differences Between 4x4 and 4x2 Vehicles

By Matt Finley

It is a common misconception that 4x4 means that all four wheels are turning at the same speed simultaneously.

When a 4-wheel vehicle turns the outside tires spin faster than the inside tires.

The differential in the axle will compensate for the further distance that the outside wheel travels than the inside one.

When you drive on a slick surface the power from the engine will go to the wheel with the least amount of traction, so whichever wheel is slipping the most gets the most power.

That's because​ of the laws of nature, a.k.a. physics, tell us that force will always take the path of least resistance.

When an OHV is in four-wheel drive mode the front and rear axles are synchronized so there is always at least one wheel on each of the drive axles that can be driven by the engine's power effectively.

If you're in a 4x2 vehicle you can trick it into acting like a 4x4 by pressing the brake pedal slightly to slow down the wheel that's spinning and transfer that wheel's energy to the wheel with traction.

4x4 (4WD)

A 4x4 vehicle that has four-wheel drive (4WD). "4x4" in a 4WD vehicle means there are 4 wheels total and 4 wheels that are driven. Utility quads are typically 4x4.

4 x 2 (2WD)

A 4x2 or 2WD is a vehicle that has a two-wheel drive (2WD) with four wheels. "4x2" in a 2WD vehicle means there are 4 wheels total and 2 wheels that are driven. The driven wheels can be either back or front wheels but are usually the back wheels. Sport ATVs are typically 4x2.

Part-Time 4WD

This refers to an OHV that has a 4-wheel drive system which operates on-demand and powers all four wheels by synchronizing front and rear axles together via a shift lever. Part-Time 4WDs usually include two-speed ranges, Hi and Lo.

Part-time 4WD systems have to be used in 2WD mode on pavement, cement or other hard, sticky surfaces. They are designed to be engaged only in specific situations when you need extra traction and damage can occur if driven on hard surfaces.

Full-Time 4WD

This refers to a 4-wheel-drive system that can be operated at all times on all surfaces. Full-time 4-wheel-drive systems usually have the option of part-time operation so you can shift to 2WD while on cement or pavement. Full-Time 4WD systems do not always have the Hi and Lo speed ranges.

Automatic Four-Wheel Drive (A4WD)

This type of drive system automatically turns on 4WD when it needs it. This is achieved with monitors that sense different wheel speeds then engage 4WD. The Polaris Ranger Electric Vehicle has this kind of automatic system.

Shift on the Fly 4WD

This 4-Wheel-Drive system allows the driver to manual shift from 2WD to 4WD Hi without stopping first. These systems typically have a speed limit at which you can engage the system; typically it's under 60 mph. OHVs that use an electronic actuator (like a push-button vs a shift lever) will only allow shifting to 4WD-Hi while under the rated speed, so pushing the button will not attempt to engage 4WD.

Vehicles with a shift lever may not know when they are going too fast to shift into 4WD Hi so doing this can cause damage. Consult your owners manual if you have an On the Fly 4WD system.

All-Wheel Drive (AWD)

An all-wheel-drive is a full-time single-speed 4WD system that will supply power to all four wheels. Each system has a different front-to-rear power delivery ratio.

Matt Finley

Introduction

Over three decades of off-road experience throughout Southern California

Has worked as a writer and photographer covering ATVs, freestyle motocross (FMX), motorcycles, and off-road recreation since 2006

Articles and reviews have been published in magazines and eZines such as ATV Source magazine, ATV.com, and ATV magazine, and he also wrote feature articles, including the column “What Grinds Your Gears," for MX Affiliate magazine

Member of the American Sand Association (ASA), an organization committed to protecting the right to ride on all public lands in a responsible, environmentally balanced manner

Experience

Matt Finley is a former writer for ThoughtCo who contributed articles on off-roading for nearly three years. He has been writing about and photographing ATVs, freestyle motocross (FMX), motorcycles, and off-road/4x4 recreation since 2006. He began his writing career at Creative Weblogging and also blogged for 451Press and Sportster.org.

Since then Finley has published hundreds of articles and ATV/off-road reviews in magazines and eZines such as ATV Source magazine, ATV.com, and the international print publication ATV magazine. Finley also wrote feature articles and a regular column called “What Grinds Your Gears” for MX Affiliate magazine. 

Finley's commitment to both the sport of off-road recreation and to the protection of the environment is exemplified by his work writing Press Releases for the American Sand Association (ASA), an organization committed to protecting the right to ride on all public lands in a responsible, environmentally balanced manner.

A Message from Matt Finley

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