Do I need all-wheel drive?
This person probably does.
We’re known for our harsh winters and the slick roads that accompany them here in Wisconsin. We guess that’s just the price we pay for our beautiful summers, friendly people, and copious beer and cheese. In the end, the scale surely tips in our favor. But the fact remains that we end up needing to put a lot of thought into how our vehicles will fare in the winter weather conditions that inevitably plague our roadways annually. It’s likely that at some point you asked yourself, “Do I need all-wheel drive?” Today we’ll tell you about some of the different types of drive systems that are available and help you decide which one is right for you.
Winter in Wisconsin asks a lot of us — and of our vehicles.
Just about every truck, SUV, and crossover will have AWD or 4WD available, and a growing handful of cars like the Chrysler 200 will have it as an option as well. Most cars that aren’t too performance-oriented will be front-wheel drive, and your typical sports or pony car is rear-wheel drive – the Dodge Challenger, for example. Now, if you’re aiming to determine whether you ought to go for the AWD model on your vehicle, we’ll give you some reasons why you may or may not want to go that route.
Reasons to opt for AWD or 4WD:
1. You plan on doing a lot of off-roading. Four-wheel drive is especially good for this because most systems will allow you to manually switch into a lower range as needed for things like climbing or crawling over rocks. This is why rugged models like the Jeep Wrangler are almost always 4×4.
2. You need to tow frequently. This is especially the case if you’ve got a boat you plan on towing out of the water quite a bit – the steep, wet boat ramp will be a real challenge for a rear-wheel drive truck, impossible for a front-wheel drive vehicle, but quite manageable for something with 4WD.
Reasons not to go AWD:
It’s all about the tread.
1. You’re convinced it’s the only way to drive safely in winter. The fact is, today’s standard stability control and electronic traction control technology is enough to keep you in pretty good shape throughout the winter, especially if you invest in a set of snow tires.
2. You’re primarily a city driver. If you don’t need AWD for your day-to-day life or at least very frequently, skip it. Just because you keep telling yourself you want to get out on more adventures doesn’t necessitate the additional cost – there’s always rental, after all. AWD and 4WD vehicles are more expensive to buy, fuel, and repair. It’s worth it for regular use, but not for once in a blue moon.
Any questions about what kind of drive type you should opt for? Go ahead and give us a call or stop in and see us at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine!
