Have you heard that it’s bad to drive in 4WD all the time? I bet you have! But is it really true? Well, there are several reasons why it can be bad for your car. 4WD can be invaluable in certain conditions, especially on off-road trails. But if you don’t need it, there are several reasons why running your car in 4WD will cause problems on the road.
Why Running 4WD All the Time Is Bad for Your Car
The negative effects of using 4WD depend on what you mean by “bad.” If you’re asking whether it’s better to use your car’s four-wheel drive (4WD) function only when needed, the answer is no. But if you’re wondering if driving with your vehicle in four-wheel drive mode for a long time will cause damage to the car, then there are a few factors that come into play.
Let’s see what can happen if you forget to switch from 4WD to 2WD on the highway or in normal road conditions:
Burning More Fuel
The first thing to mention is energy efficiency. When you drive in four-wheel drive mode, your car can consume about 25% more fuel than in two-wheel drive mode. And since gas prices are constantly going up and down these days, using more gas isn’t exactly what most drivers want.
When you use four-wheel drive mode, your car’s engine has to work harder than if it were in two-wheel drive mode. That’s because the 4WD system engages additional gears and drive shafts.
This means more fuel and energy are needed to handle all that extra power used by the engine. This will result in higher gas bills at the pump.
Destroying the Transmission
If your car is running in four-wheel drive mode, it means there’s more weight on all the wheels. This can put a lot of stress and pressure on the wheels, leading to faster deterioration or damage.
Driving a part-time four-wheel drive car on dry pavement can damage the differential and front axles. The constant drive torque can seize the front axle and damage or wear out the gears inside your car’s transfer case.
Higher Accident Risks
Driving in four-wheel drive mode for long periods can cause accidents. If you turn at high speed and it’s raining, you’re more likely to lose control of your car. This happens because you can’t brake as quickly since your vehicle has more weight on all the wheels. This puts other drivers around you at risk of being involved in an accident.
Conclusion
It’s not advisable to drive in 4WD mode all the time. Except for certain specific conditions such as hauling cargo or climbing, using this feature for long periods will bring bad news. It can damage and wear out your car’s engine parts, such as axles, transmission, brakes, and suspension systems. If you want safer driving while saving money on gas, drive your car with 4WD mode only when necessary.