Friday, January 18, 1991 - North Shore News - 23 AUTOMOTIVES 4W D just the ticket for snow DURING OUR recent spate of cold, snowy weather, you may have noticed a lot of 4WD vehicles on the road (in- stead of off it). There’s no doubt that the extra traction provided by two extra driving wheels makes a big dif- ference in slippery conditions. In really bad weather, a four-wheel- drive vehicle with enough ground clearance can run rings around a two-wheel-drive vehicle. But it can't stop any more quickly, and that’s something all four wheelers must be aware of, especially when they're surround- ed by slower, two-wheel-drive cars. Greg Wilson AUTOMOTION In recent years, the use of 4WD has been expanded to different types of vehicles. 4WD_ systems were traditionally available in pickups, big wagons, utility vehi- cles and sport utility vehicles. Full-time 4WD systems are now appearing in hatchbacks, sedans, mini-vans, sports sedans, sports coupes, and station wagons. The consumer now has a much wider range of 4WD vehicles from which to choose. If all this snow has got you seriously considering switching to a 4WD vehicle, there are a couple of things you should know first. First of all, 4WD vehicles. are usually more expensive to own. They cost more than a 2WD vehi- cle initially, and the 4WD compo- ments are more complicated and expensive to repair. In addition, most 4WD vehicles weigh more than a comparable two-wheel-drive vehicle and ge poorer fuel economy, especially when driven in four-wheel-drive. There are two basic types of 4WD systems: the traditional ‘part-time’ 4WD system found on pickups and utility vehicles is a system that should only be used on loose or slippery surfaces. When 4WD is engaged, all four wheels are ‘locked up’. If you use this type of system on dry asphalt, there will be expensive tire wear and mechanical drivetrain wear over time. Shifting from 2WD to 4WD is usually accomplished with a lever or button in the cab. This engages a transfer case which connects drive shafts from the front and rear differentials to the transmis- sion. With some 4WD systems, this can be done ‘on the fly’ at speed. Others require the vehicle to be stopped before engaging 4WD. In addition, some systems require the driver to get out and lock/unlock the front hubs manually. Part-time 4WD systems also have a gear referred to as 4WD Low. This engages 4WD in a low gear for creeping or climbing very steep hills and rough terrain. The second type of 4WD system is called ‘all-wheel-drive’, or ‘full-time 4WD’. Most of these systems operate in two-wheel-drive (front or rear) until there is a loss of traction at the drive wheels. The system senses wheelspin and automatically engages the other wheels until traction is regained at the drive wheels. This type of system is usually perma- nently engaged. The advantage of AWD over ELMER te 1930 PLYMOUTH ACCLAIM pa Orastic reductions on early (ease retumns. Equipped with I Cruise, auto. trans. Low, iow kms, bse These cars must be sold Balance E ot 7 yJ115.000 km why Stk. #21860 1990 PLYMGUTH SUNDANCE 4-door Iitiback automatic. Equipped with air conditioning. iow, low kms : Batance of 7 year/3i5,000 km wartanty. Stk. « # All prices inciude factory rebates & incentives 4WD is that the vehicle can be driven on dry roads without hav- ing to disengage the AWD systein. If the vehicle goes from a non- slippery surface to a slippery sur- face (such as ice), the svstem will automatically compensate for the loss of traction at one 9: mre wheels. This tends to mike AWD a safer system. Automobiles with AWD often have a low ground clearance Mint condition beauty. though, and can get stuck in deep snow just as easily as 2WD vehi- cles. In addition, AWD vehicles are often equipped with passenger car tires that don’t have the nec- essary grip for serious off-road use. Some sophisticated systems combine AWD with traction con- trol and AS anti-lock brakes. Anti-:ock brakes, usually on all four wheels, prevent the wheels Due to the Overwhelming Success | of ‘AUTO SALE 91’ at the PN.E. WE’RE OVERSTOCKEDI!IHI with Trade-ins. COME IN! MAKE YOUR OFFER!! 1986 CHRYSLER LeBARON Fully serviced. one owner local car Only 40,000 kms Was $9495 2986 PLYMOUTH NOVAGER Fully apprunted. clean, clean, clean Two to choose from St #90682-1. Stk 7724280 Was $9995 1170 MARINE DR. NORTH VANCOUVER 90 PL 33 pars ; 20 CHR from locking up under hard brak- ing. Traction control uses the anti- lock braking system, in reverse. If the driving wheels start to spin on a slippery surface, sensors at each wheel will detect the loss of trac- tion and send a signal to a com- puter which reduces power to the wheels momentarily. AWD is available on such cars See 4WD page 24 ‘yMOU 7H ACC! AIM oe 514.495 CKRYSLER DYNASTY LE wow $17,888 90 PLYMOUTH SUNDANCE 90 PLYMOUTH SUNDANCE Was $17 66 tow $25,889 PLYMOUTH COLT 200 OT w$ 9,995 82 s10475 PLYMOUTH SUNDANCE now $ 8,888 8,888 | ‘Was $9 9% PLYMOUTH COLT new$ now $18,995 F was $9 95 YMOUTH GR YOYAGER wer 199 88 CHRYSLER DAYTONA Was £19 0% 83 CHRYSLER NEW YORKER Wan $74 995 36 Przh7y PLYMOUTH VOYAGER 6 $9995, f 86 CHRYSLER LASER XT Wes $5 997% 85 CHRYSLER STH AVE. Was $7995 a4 CHRYSLER STW AVE. Bt 94 CHRYSLER NEW YORKER Was $5 925 f 84 CHRYSLER STH AVE. o4 SHRvsLeR NEW YORKER a3 PER 82 CHRYSLER STH AVE. 81 PODGE ARIES 81 DODGE ARIES WGN War $3 395 77 VOLVC 244 DL Was $64: was Sh 9 Collect!! 980-850