When the road is slippery the traction control comes on and prevents the wheel from spinning when it detects that it is spinning. It basically prevents your tire from just spinning when it detects no grip.

AWD means that each wheel has power. In a FWD vehicle it’s usually just one of the front wheels that has the power while the other wheels don’t.

Does that make it a bit more clear or did I make it worse?


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When the road is slippery the traction control comes on and prevents the wheel from spinning when it detects that it is spinning. It basically prevents your tire from just spinning when it detects no grip.

AWD means that each wheel has power. In a FWD vehicle it’s usually just one of the front wheels that has the power while the other wheels don’t.

Does that make it a bit more clear or did I make it worse?


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If it's an "on demand" AWD system, that means that it only kicks on when the front wheels start slipping. So it's in essence an FWD vehicle with the "support" of AWD only when necessary.
This is why I find it difficult to explain the difference between On Demand AWD and Traction Control.

 

The GenV 'V is AWD ALL of the time. There is NO fwd only mode. The rear wheels will always be "engaged" and powered up no matter what. The percentage of power is usually split to favor the fronts, but the computer will direct more to the rear upon hard acceleration and/or a loss of traction.

In my opinion, it's a very good AWD system. I have driven on a frozen lake through 2 feet of powdery snow and it just kind of chewed it's way right through it. Granted I did have snow tires on, but it was still impressive.

I know Subaru has a very good reputation for their AWD system. Not sure if the GenV CRV's system is quite up to their standard, but I'm guessing it's closer than a lot of people think it is.

 

This contradicts what I was told about the AWD CR-V. My understanding was that it was an "on demand" AWD design, meaning: it only activates when there's front wheel spin. Otherwise, its an FWD vehicle.

 

AWD is a drive system, while traction control is a braking system.

You know what AWD does.

Traction control has two jobs:

• An ersatz limited-slip differential. If one wheel is slipping under power, it will cut the throttle and brake that wheel so the diff redirects power to the other wheel. (Under conditions of slip, a diff normally gives zero power to the wheel that's not spinning.)
• Slide control. If the yaw sensors detect the car going one way while the steering wheel is pointed another, it will selectively brake the wheels to get the car going in the direction you are pointing the car.

 

AWD is a drive system, while traction control is a braking system.

You know what AWD does.

Traction control has two jobs:

• An ersatz limited-slip differential. If one wheel is slipping under power, it will cut the throttle and brake that wheel so the diff redirects power to the other wheel. (Under conditions of slip, a diff normally gives zero power to the wheel that's not spinning.)
• Slide control. If the yaw sensors detect the car going one way while the steering wheel is pointed another, it will selectively brake the wheels to get the car going in the direction you are pointing the car.

This is clearer to me & makes sense. Thanks!

 

LOL... wow... funny. The ESC -- Electronic Stability Control system is an intelligent system that affects numerous components -- yes even the AWD system -- however, the Honda Real Time AWD system is not a 90% on 10% on system like a lot of people would have you believe. The older Honda 4WD system WAS a slip/grip system; however, the new system is an on demand system and engages as soon as you hit the throttle! The only time it idles the power to the rear wheels is when you are cruising at a steady speed on dry pavement.

There have been numerous corrective TSBs about the AWD system programming -- but when the software is up to date, it is very effective and assists with acceleration from a start (wet or dry pavement) hills, turns etc. The system transfers torque from front to back -- but the newer vectoring systems in the Pilot and Ridgeline are based on the Acura SH-AWD system which vectors torque from side to side!

So, no... the AWD system does not come on when the light comes on... in fact, if the AWD light comes on, that means there is something wrong with the AWD system i.e., overheated etc.... The AWD system is a pretty good system.

"The capabilities of the system are prioritized to further support high fuel efficiency and all-around drivability on-road as well as off-road. Assisting the front wheels when it is beneficial, Real Time AWD instantly powers the rear wheels when starting from a stop, even on dry pavement, working in cooperation with Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA)4 and the Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS). The Real Time AWD system can operate at all speeds when needed. When torque transfer to the rear wheels is not required such as when cruising, drive to the rear wheels is decoupled for reduced drag."

Link: 2015 Honda CR-V - Powertrain

 

I have a 2017 LX AWD… I don't think I have a "traction display screen"

My wife has a '20 LX AWD. Her speedometer screen area is different so I'll have to see if she has a viewable traction display .

 

I apologize if I reignited something that seems to already be a long-standing contest... (albeit unknowingly)....

 

No apologies necessary - I see it as a healthy discussion to help everyone learn more about their vehicles!

Most consumers classify vehicles as "two-wheel drive" or "four-wheel drive" and don't know the difference between "four-wheel drive" and "all-wheel drive" let alone the differences between "four -wheel drive" and "automatic four-wheel drive" and the many variations of all-wheel drive systems that are in use today.

 

Honestly, when I began this thread, I had no idea that we would wind up here... with two different belief systems about the Gen5 AWD - & both providing reference material to support said belief systems. I'm not the brightest bulb when it comes to this kind of stuff. Setting aside my mechanical limitations (which are obvious from the nature of my original post), the test/comparison video shared by williamsji is really impressive, and makes me feel quite good about the improvements made to Gen5's AWD system.

 

Those roller tests that have become all the rage are fun to watch, but people normally drive over dry pavement, wet pavement, snow, or ice - not rollers that have virtually no friction whatsoever - even ice has some friction. Traction and stability control systems in vehicles that are intended to be used primarily on paved roads expect all four wheels to be on the ground - not spinning with no resistance up in the air on on rollers.

 

Ok - apologies in advance - I'm searching for the language to try & explain the difference, and I'm striking out.

I was trying to explain to my wife that, different from her sister's Subaru, our AWD CR-V LX is a FWD vehicle most of the time. The AWD only kicks in when the system detects that it's needed.

She responded "in the winter when it's really slippery, sometimes I see the light appear on the screen when it goes into AWD." Myself, having never seen a specific "AWD" light suddenly appear (& disappear) on the screen, I surmised that she was probably refering to the traction control light. I described the graphic, and she agreed.

I attempted to come up with an explanation of how the traction control system is different from the AWD system.

I have failed.

Perhaps one of you can explain the difference so I can articulate this correctly.

Thank you!

Rule out your tire type & wear. Winter driving is difficult even if you have a 4X4. I moved from Texas to Washington State. I have learned that common sense for some drivers doesn’t exist (SPEED). Ice & snow Traction depends on TIRE type & SPEED. I’ve seen countless vehicles stuck on the grassy areas of highways/ interstates. 4x4 vehicles included. I have a front wheel drive ‘07 & a Accord/ ‘2019 CR-V. Mountainous terrain driving is very different from flat leveled terrain. Common sense has kept me from getting stuck. Since putting on Goodyear Weather Ready tires on my ‘07 Accord I get much better winter driving results. There are dedicated winter tires out there. WA State Mountain Passes require chains durning severe snowy times. In the Seattle Area (lowlands) you don’t generally need chains. However, winter weather does unexpectedly change. What I love about the Goodyear Weather Ready is that it has a winter rating. All wheel Drives help. It still depends on the tire traction & speed. As far as AWD.vs Front wheel drives, You Tube has great videos that not only explain it but they show it as well.