Real time 4WD : does it really work?

[ironsteel]

Hi everyone,

After much research about asymmetric 4WD systems like the one on the CR-V, RAV-4 and others, I strongly suggest reading the May 1999 article from C&D before spending the extra $1200 on the 4WD. Make sure you really understand the pros and cons of 4WD/AWD before needing it. And I said, needing it, not wanting it.

http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=4&article_id=3888&page_number=1

There's also an article on the CR-V's traction abilities in this month's (Feb 2007) Automobile magazine.

Thanks.

[2RedV's]

It works well. Not as good as a full-time system like a Subie though.
That $1200 is well spent money though. Years later, a V with Real-time AWD is still worth the extra dough you spent to get it in the first place.
Look on youtube at all of the CRV in deep snow, mud videos. It is more capable than most people realize.

[ironsteel]

Thanks for the reply. There's another thread on this site that I read about 4WD on the highway and I think some of the replies there relate to how the 4WD system works. So that helped. But there was also a post about how this one person lost a little control in the snow when the traction control kicked in on the front wheels and since there was no change of speed on the wheel slippage, the rear wheels didn't kick in. I guess that's the only downside on this real time 4WD system.

[tayjenn]

I opted out of the 4 wheel drive as I do not plan on ever taking it out in conditions where it would need to be in 4 wheel drive. Call me old fashion, but I thought it was weird not to be able to control when it was or wasn't in 4 wheel drive. I am used to the old lockin' the wheels things. Over the last week we have had ice...then snow. In both cases the CRV handled great....my VSA came on once (trying to go uphill on ice from a dead stop.) While it would help the resale down the road, I just couldn't justify spending the extra dough....especially since we don't get real bad weather here...and if we did, I would stay inside. Let us know what you decide....

[ironsteel]

I was thinking of the same thing. My experience with RWD and FWD cars in snow when we lived in Boston is that if you have winter tires or at least all season tires, you should be fine. The annoying thing is that people with SUVs think they are king of the roads and that they are ok with AWD/4WD when it snows. And yet, during snow storms, you see a bunch of them either stranded or involved in an accident.

Those of you still thinking about 4WD vs 2WD should read this article from May 1999 of C&D magazine.

http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=4&article_id=3888&page_number=1

Thanks.

[kb5jsu]

The annoying thing is that people with SUVs think they are king of the roads and that they are ok with AWD/4WD when it snows. And yet, during snow storms, you see a bunch of them either stranded or involved in an accident.

Amen to that! You can't imagine the # of 4WD and AWD vehicles that have accidents here in Las Vegas when the road is wet from just Rain... Yes you read right, RAIN. I would hate to think what the roads would look like after a snow.

Being from the Midwest myself, (Ohio) I was taught how to properly navigate in inclement weather. To me it does not matter if the vehicle is AWD or not. The same cautions should be applied. First and foremost being (& this escapes most Vegas drivers) SLOW DOWN!!!

I myself like the Realtime 4WD on my 99. It comes in real handy on sandy beaches @ Lake Mead and for navigating mountain trials on Mt Charleston.

[2RedV's]

ironsteel:

The link you posted was from 1999. Not only has car technology (like the V itself) drastically changed, but tire tech has as well. Check out this video of a UK dude in deep snow with his new 2007 6-speed diesel V. (Wish we had a diesel here)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4ItdQgHA0o

[2RedV's]

How about this guy in his 1st gen who is obviously half-crazy to do this on a street with parked cars and trees. However, note the rear tires throwing snow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II5cVw8Lugg&NR

[Jo-Ng]

Is that any ease way or indication that the Real Time 4WD works or running on CRV?

[OCTO13ER]

I didn't finish reading the article but instead felt the need to state the obvious: In Winter, get Winter tires. Then you have the best of both worlds, AWD and good traction.

I've got Winter tires and rims for my Silverado Z71 and will also get them for my CR-V when the time comes. Yes, I'm one of those people that "own the road" when it snows, and I'm also one of the people that stops to pull out the Ford with the stock tires that thought he could keep up with me. Where I live we're always last to be plowed, and if it's snowing bad enough sometimes we never get plowed. There are days in Winter where only having FWD just isn't a good idea and staying home isn't an option. My wife's job title changed and we no longer can count on being able to carpool. So we sold the Impala (with a nice set of snow tires I might add) and bought the CR-Vw/AWD.

Octo13er

[2RedV's]

Is that any ease way or indication that the Real Time 4WD works or running on CRV?Get on dirt or gravel or mud. Floor it. Wipe grin off face.