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all-wheel drive (AWD)
- Continuously monitors wheel speed, throttle position and steering-wheel angle sensors to determine the vehicle’s conditions and driver’s intent. The system then determines the optimal amount of front and rear torque for the given conditions to not only reduce wheel slip but to prevent the slip from occurring in the first place
- Helps ensure the vehicle will be sure-footed on the road in a variety of conditions, such as fast cornering, uneven pavement, potholes, slippery surfaces and anything that compromises traction
- Vehicle normally functions in front-wheel-drive mode
- When sensors detect that wheel slip is occurring or even just likely to occur, the All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) system can react within as little as 50 milliseconds to distribute up to 100 percent of the available torque to the rear wheels
- Controller may detect a difference in wheel speed front-to-rear even in good weather, such as when driving through sand, mud or wet leaves
- How the System Works
- All-Wheel Drive uses electromagnetic activation of an internal clutch pack
- Engages when sensors detect wheel slip in the front wheels, and often acts preemptively to prevent slip from happening in the first place
- When activated, the system uses force from an electromagnet to push clutch plates together
- Drive shaft torque is transmitted through the unit to the rear wheels, taking power from the front wheel sand sending it to the rear
- Benefits of the System
- No driver interaction is required to activate AWD. It’s there when your customers need it
- The system can send up to 100 percent of the engine’s torque to front or rear as needed to avoid wheel slip
- Operates with speed and sophistication to help provide peace of mind and driving confidence
- Releases just as quickly, avoiding binding or wheel skid once traction improves
- Benefits on either wet or dry pavement. Because the system can transfer torque quickly away from the front wheels, it helps reduce the type of understeer often associated with front-wheel-drive vehicles to provide improved vehicle control
- Lightweight with few moving parts, for little impact on fuel economy
- When AWD is combined with All-Speed Traction Control or the AdvanceTrac® system, a high degree of torque can be sent to the wheel with the best traction, even if the other three wheels have no traction at all.
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- Part of Speech: noun
- Synonym(s):
- Blossary: Ford Vehicles
- Industry/Domain: Automotive
- Category: Automobile
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