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My first AWD vehicle is the Tucson. Although I am familiar with how AWD/4WD operates, I’m not sure if it is actually constantly on. I can make out the four tires and the LOCK button by the shifter. This also illuminates in an amber color on the dash when I press it.
I suppose my question is, “Is the AWD always on?” Is that button the only way to turn it on? Does the Tucson’s computer decide whether AWD is required on its own? Is there ever a good time to click this button? For instance, can I/should I engage it while I’m driving, or does the car need to come to a complete stop first?
I apologize if I sound so inexperienced. I actually have a lot of experience with car maintenance and repairs, but AWD is completely foreign to me.
The majority of modern vehicles, including Hyundai, don’t have full-time AWD. Only when the computer detects front wheels slipping does it activate the rear wheels; alternatively, the AWD can be manually engaged, hence the “AWD lock” button.
The ability to save on fuel is one of the reasons they do this. Imagine that your engine had to continuously turn all four wheels. The fuel efficiency would be awful!
In This Article...
What is the Hyundai Tucson’s AWD on/off switch for?
I need to drive up a sandy, high incline road to get to my construction job, and I need my tires to have enough traction to accomplish the ascent. My Hyundai Tucson has all-wheel drive (AWD), but how do I activate it?
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The icon for the AWD option button is two bars with an axa in the center. Your Tucson is in AWD Auto mode while the button is *not lit. Your automobile will function like a two-wheel drive vehicle in this mode. Under typical driving circumstances, you should use this mode.
Hold down the AWD option button to enter AWD. The system’s activation will be shown by the light. Your car’s traction will be maximized in this setting.
Remember that the modes on your car will change depending on how fast you’re going. When you exceed 19 mph, your Tucson will switch back to AWD auto, and when you reach that speed, it will switch back to AWD lock.
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Explaining all-wheel drive systems
If you’re not an uber-petrolhead and a friend tells you they just got a new all-wheel drive car, you could assume you misheard them or that they meant “four-wheel drive.” So, is there a distinction?
You might be wondering why you would need four motorized wheels rather than just two. The older of the two, four-wheel drive, is often found in vehicles like SUVs that are intended for difficult off-road conditions, although it is also available in larger cars like sedans. Despite its name, not all four wheels are always turned. On typical roads, the front wheels spin freely while the rear wheels are the only ones that move the car ahead.
Older four-wheel drive systems required drivers to either get out of the car and lock the front wheel hubs or pull a manual lever inside the cabin. Fortunately, they are regulated by buttons or dials on more recent vehicles, allowing a variety of settings that allow the system to function at both slower and faster speeds.
The four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive
AWD and 4WD systems are both designed to give a vehicle superior grip, control, and maneuverability in all weather conditions. However, there are several distinctions that are useful to be aware of.
When driving in slick conditions, such as on snowy roads in a typical Colorado winter, all-wheel drive systems can assist you get more traction and boost your ability to accelerate. Whether the wheel is on the front axle or the back, AWD systems use a central differential or dual-clutch system to direct torque to one that is beginning to slip. Under typical winter driving conditions and/or light off-roading, AWD increases traction and offers the fewest tradeoffs in ride quality and fuel efficiency. It has the advantage of either continuously driving all four wheels or automatically selecting which wheel receives the extra torque required to provide you control and stability.
All four wheels are continuously powered by four-wheel drive systems, which function similarly to a full-time all-wheel drive system. Due to their greater than average ground clearance, 4WD systems—which are typically found in trucks and SUVs—are better suited to navigating steep inclines, unlevel ground, and extremely heavy snow. While 4WD is beneficial for heavy-duty tasks like towing or transporting large loads, it also uses more fuel under regular driving situations. Additionally, there are part-time 4WD systems that provide the driver more choice over where and how the power is applied.
In conclusion, AWD systems are perfect for Northern Colorado’s four-season weather since they give you grip on slippery roads and the most pleasant ride possible. If you live in a rural place, must drive in the worst weather, or you take severe off-roading seriously, 4WD might be a better option.
Is the 2021 Hyundai Tucson AWD-capable?
Fear not, every trim of the most recent Tucson is sold with HTRACTM All-Wheel Drive. That means you can still purchase the Essential trim and receive HTRACTM AWD while saving money! If you’re aiming higher on the trim ladder, you won’t need to fret because HTRACTM AWD is standard on the Luxury, Urban Edition, and Ultimate trims.
What drives Hyundai AWD?
Hyundai HTRAC(r) AWD is an innovative multi-mode technology that offers all the advantages of all-wheel drive traction when more traction is required while maintaining front-wheel drive’s effective fuel-economy ratings under regular driving situations. An electronic variable-torque-split clutch with active torque management technology is used in this cutting-edge system to transfer power to the front and rear axles as needed while continuously monitoring traction.
To maximize fuel efficiency, the Hyundai HTRAC(r) AWD system will run in front-wheel drive under normal driving circumstances. Torque is sent to the rear axle to increase traction and performance when a loss of traction is detected by the sensors or when you opt to use the driver-selectable modes. Hyundai HTRAC(r) AWD’s driver-selectable modes provide you more control over performance and torque distribution than many rivals. There are three drive modes available to drivers in a few Hyundai vehicles with Hyundai HTRAC(r) AWD: Normal, Sport, and Smart.
What type of AWD does Hyundai employ?
Hyundai AWD vehicles are designed to get you there, regardless of the state of the road. Most SUV models come with our most sophisticated system, HTRAC AWD (Hyundai TRACtion All Wheel Drive). For each wheel, HTRAC measures 50 inputs from the vehicle over 100 times per second to determine how much torque is required. This clever mechanism helps you retain traction by rerouting power between the front and back axles and applying light braking pressure to the left and right wheels if it notices slippage.
What does the Hyundai AWD lock button do?
It gets closer to 4WD thanks to the lock feature. AWD does not imply that all four wheels are always receiving power; instead, it typically uses only the front wheels while cruising to maximize fuel efficiency. When launching, it drives all four wheels to maintain traction.
Hyundai’s AWD is it always on?
The Hyundai AWD system offers the driver three alternative driving modes while remaining “always on,” which boosts efficiency. Comfort. Smart. Sport
Is Hyundai HTRAC a permanent AWD system?
The HTRAC all-wheel drive system from Hyundai is made to blend the performance and full efficiency of front-wheel drive with the capabilities of a 4WD system (where power is focused on the front wheels and generally the most efficient but does not handle as well in all-weather conditions). Drivers can choose one of three driving modes while the AWD system is always engaged:
For solid control in all weather situations, power is distributed roughly 70/30 between the front and rear wheels for comfort.
The majority of power is supplied to the front wheels in smart or eco vehicles to increase fuel efficiency.
Sport – For improved dynamic control and agility, up to 50% of the torque is sent to the rear wheels.
What does the Hyundai Tucson’s lock emblem mean?
The AWD system is malfunctioning if the warning light for the AWD system illuminates. If this happens, you should get your car checked out as soon as you can by a certified HYUNDAI dealer. AWD LOCK signal (if equipped) When the AWD LOCK button is pressed, the AWD LOCK indicator light turns on.
How can I tell if my AWD is in operation?
Test Method 2: Raise Your Vehicle Just enough to lift your tires off the ground is all that is required of your car. Then accelerate while someone standing outside the car makes sure all of the tires are moving. If all of them are moving, your four-wheel drive ought to be in excellent condition.
How fast does AWD operate?
Torque vectoring is a feature of some systems that can further divide the power between the left and right wheels. Greater often than not, this is the case with performance cars, where adding more torque to an outside rear wheel can help the front end turn into curves with more control.
Some AWD versions have a “lock” button that will distribute power evenly 50/50. Most only function at modest speeds and are designed for tasks like removing oneself from a snowy driveway. The lock automatically disengages after you go beyond the system’s speed limit, which is often between 30 and 40 km/h, and the system resumes normal AWD operation.
How can you tell what kind of system your AWD car has then? Since manufacturers may just claim all-wheel drive without describing its specific operation or the ratio of torque distribution, it isn’t always simple to determine. If you have a “lock” button, your owner’s manual might explain how to use it, but to be sure, you should probably give the automaker’s customer service line a call.
In snow, how does AWD function?
According to Edmunds, cold weather causes the surface of the roads to change quickly. Roads can become covered with ice and snow throughout the winter, which makes them very slick. Driving on these slick conditions requires traction, which is essential. When necessary, all-wheel-drive systems automatically apply torque to all four wheels or deliver power to all four wheels simultaneously. All-wheel drive is therefore recommended for navigating icy and snowy routes. A vehicle with all-wheel drive eliminates the need for driver intuition.
According to The Globe and Mail, four-wheel drive is a good choice for traveling in thicker snow or in more severe winter weather. For instance, four-wheel drive may perform better in certain situations if you come across a snowdrift or an ice hill.
Consider which is better for your needs rather than seeing four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive as competitors. Where does your tire contact the snow when you’re driving, says Auto Sock? Four-wheel drive can be more practical for your requirements if you reside on a back road that isn’t routinely plowed. All-wheel drive can be a better option for you if you reside in a city where the roads are often plowed but the weather is still treacherous.