Does 4wd affect gas mileage?

[amdskip]

Does a 4wd truck get worse mileage than a non 4wd truck? Trying to settle an argument with a friend.

4wd is not enabled.

 

[Zeeky Boogy Doog]

dunno

 

[xEDIT409]

Yes it does.

 

[Demo24]

to a degree yes. think about it more weight. also more parts so more friction

 

[AaronB]

If all else is equal then yes, a 4WD equipped vehicle will get worse fuel economy than a non-4WD vehicle. All of those extra components add weight and drag even when not in use.

 

[Ophir]

Originally posted by: DEMO24
to a degree yes. think about it more weight. also more parts so more friction

I agree.

 

[MichaelD]

Depends on the particular 4WD system. On mine it does; I have electrically-locking axles.

Even when not in 4WD, the front axles spin; they just aren't connected to the transfer case. This causes parasitic drivetrain loss.

If you have an older 4WD system with manually locking hubs, I.E. you have to get out and twist both hubs on the front wheels to be in 4WD, then the loss is so small it's negligible.

Also as has been mentioned, a 4wd equipped vehicle will weigh more than a 2wd vehicle.

4wd>everything else, IMO.

 

[blahblah99]

4WD = more drivetrain loss = less efficiency = poorer gas mileage.

 

[AStar617]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Depends on the particular 4WD system. On mine it does; I have electrically-locking axles.

Even when not in 4WD, the front axles spin; they just aren't connected to the transfer case. This causes parasitic drivetrain loss.

If you have an older 4WD system with manually locking hubs, I.E. you have to get out and twist both hubs on the front wheels to be in 4WD, then the loss is so small it's negligible.

Also as has been mentioned, a 4wd equipped vehicle will weigh more than a 2wd vehicle.

4wd>everything else, IMO.

Better put that I was about to try to put it.

 

[gabemcg]

yes

 

[DainBramaged]

Originally posted by: xEDIT409
Yes it does.

 

[Kelemvor]

The power from the engine normall goes to make two tires turn which make the truck go. Now only half that engie is going to the normal tires and half to the other tires. So to go the same speed you have to use a lot more energy since some of it is geting waste on the other tires.

Short answer is YES it does get you worse gas milage (any car dealer will tell you that) but as for how much worse depends on tons of outside factors.

 

[AdamSnow]

My truck gets about the same mileage in 2x4 then a regular truck... when it is in 4x4 however, that story changes quite a bit...

 

[iamwiz82]

4wd will always lower gas mileage, even if the vehicle is in 2wd at the time. 4wd vehicles have a transfer case, which adds weight and moving parts that make it less efficient. Also, most new 4wd vehicles have automatic hubs, meaning that the front drive shaft is always getting power, as well.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: AdamSnow
My truck gets about the same mileage in 2x4 then a regular truck... when it is in 4x4 however, that story changes quite a bit...

hence why i drive 2x4 until i absolutely need 4x4 to accel.

MIKE

 

[iamwiz82]

I drive in 4x2 as much as I can because my front axle is howling like a banshee when in 4wd.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

yup

 

[stephenw22]

4WD>AWD>2WD

 

[JulesMaximus]

Running a 4wd truck in 4wd will give worse fuel consumption than running it in 2wd.