When the AWD lock button is activated, a 50/50 power bias is possible up to 20 mph/30 km/h. If you’re driving on a bad winter day with a lot of snow, for instance, you can leave it on. Running in sport mode while using an AWD also partially engages the AWD. This is not supported by any paperwork from Hyundai; rather, it is supported by documentation from another manufacturer. According to Toyota, the AWD system in my wife’s AWD Rav4 engages with 5% of its power in the back and 95% in the front when the vehicle is in sport mode. It gives the car a little “push” if you engage it at, say, 60 mph on the Rav4, and the Kona experiences the same thing. In sport mode, you are receiving some sort of full-time AWD involvement. I observe this when towing with the Kona as well. When you engage AWD, let’s say at 60 mph, you hear the load drop because both diffs are now bearing the towing weight.
In This Article...
Describe AWD.
An all-wheel drive system is a drivetrain that distributes torque to a vehicle’s four wheels via a front, rear, and central differential. This technology evenly distributes power for both smooth operation under normal driving conditions and excellent traction when it’s needed.
AWD has the following benefits and features:
- No input required from the driver: In most cases, AWD works without the driver having to decide when and how to engage it. The system itself is always active or detects when it is necessary.
- Performance across the board: AWD is dependable year-round and on a variety of terrain because it performs effectively in a variety of conditions.
- Better fuel efficiency: AWD vehicles can run in two-wheel drive mode when road conditions permit, which improves fuel efficiency.
- Wide range of options: Buyers have a wide range of options and flexibility thanks to the availability of AWD across a variety of vehicle types, from tiny cars and sedans to trucks and SUVs.
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.
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.
Hyundai Kona is it 4WD or AWD?
Subcompact SUVs are popular right now because they offer the advantages of their larger counterparts with more manageable proportions and price tags. Few manufacturers, including Hyundai, have embraced the constantly expanding category with as many options.
The 2022 Hyundai Kona comes in four trim levels, from the well-equipped SE base trim to the fully-loaded Limited trim, as well as the sporty N-Line model. Soon, the Kona N model with 276 horsepower will be even more performance-oriented.
Currently, there are three distinct powertrain options available, with some regions even offering an electric variant. The Kona is more of a true SUV than some competitors, such as Hyundai’s subcompact quasi-SUV, the Venue, because it is also offered with all-wheel drive.
The Kona was revised for 2022 with sharper aesthetics, an improved multimedia system, and greater backseat space, adding to an already enticing package.
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.
How can I tell if my Kona has all-wheel drive?
James, it’s really straightforward, and although while the Kona is available with both two and four-wheel drive, there is one thing to check that will answer your query: It is a two-wheel-drive car if it has a two-liter, non-turbocharged engine. If the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine is present, the Kona is all-wheel drive. Both an all-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive Kona with a turbo engine were never offered by Hyundai.
Other significant technical variances exist that will also help you understand what you’re looking at. The Kona with front-drive features a torsion-beam rear suspension, whereas the Kona with all-wheel drive has a multi-link system. The transmission comes next. AWD Konas had a dual-clutch seven-speed transmission, while front-drive Konas received a regular six-speed automatic.
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.
How can I turn on my AWD?
There is often no need (or ability) to manually engage one’s all-wheel drive system because it is not meant to be engaged that way. There is a “AWD Lock” button on some cars. By pressing this button, the system will be locked into a 50/50 power distribution between the front and rear wheels.
Kona has all-wheel drive, right?
A subcompact crossover with room for up to five people is the Hyundai Kona. Five trim levels are available: SE, SEL, N Line, Limited, and N. Except for the Kona N, all versions come with front-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive as an option.
Can AWD be activated while driving?
This article is for you if you want to know when it is safe to engage 4-wheel drive and when it is not. We’ll go over the precautions to take and the right way to convert your 4WD from 4H to 4Lo. This article goes into detail on what happens to the drivetrain and other parts of the car when you put it in 4H while you’re driving.
You can go from 2H to 4WD safely when traveling at speeds lower than 60 mph. You must slow the car down to 5 mph without depressing the gas pedal and put the transmission in (N) Neutral before changing from 4H to 4-Lo. Older 4WDs without automatic locking hubs necessitate a complete stop, egress, and manual engagement of the front hubs. When finished, can you activate 4H from the cabin?
For a safer, more controllable driving experience, let’s look at when it is definitely safe to use your 4WD and which surface conditions require it. We’ll go into further detail on dangerous driving conditions like snowy roads, ice surfaces, damp surfaces, and soft loose sand, among others.
What makes 4WD and AWD different from one another?
In contrast to AWD, 4WD locks the front and rear driveshafts together while still sending power to both the front and rear axles. This indicates that the power applied to the two axles is equal. This provides the car with more traction whether it is off-roading in mud, snow, and sand.
Is AWD more fuel-intensive?
Due to their added weight, AWD vehicles also have lower gas mileage than their 2WD counterparts. AWD and 4WD drive systems can increase a car’s curb weight by hundreds of pounds, and that additional weight can significantly reduce fuel efficiency.
Can AWD be used on a highway?
What will happen if you accidentally or purposefully enter a highway while your car is in 4WD mode while operating a vehicle that can transition between 2WD and 4WD modes? Is there any risk in carrying that out? Or, is it dangerous to operate a vehicle in 4WD while on a highway?
The quick answer to your question is yes, you may use four-wheel drive (AWD) on the highway safely as long as you and the other cars surrounding you keep a very slow speed. To put it another way, only do it if the driving conditions are exceedingly dangerous and demand it.
Reviewing some of the information from the preceding section is important in order to completely understand the justification for this. We need to consider whether it is suitable to utilize a four-wheel-drive system and what kinds of activities, aside from the most obvious use of going on off-road trips, can benefit from having such a configuration.
How quickly can AWD be driven?
Knowing when to activate 4WD HI is crucial for 4WD drivers who navigate difficult terrain. Knowing when to accelerate in 4WD is crucial for keeping your truck, your finances, and your ego from suffering major harm. No of the road conditions, never try to exceed 55–60 mph when in 4WD mode. To alter your driving style, keep in mind that the car characteristics are extremely different on low traction conditions.
Driving on low traction surfaces can have an impact on acceleration, stopping distance, and cornering dynamics. Be sure to give yourself adequate time to respond.
My love has been 4-wheel drives and off-road driving techniques for more than 20 years. Here, we make an effort to present the most accurate, current information possible regarding the features, common issues, and cutting-edge technology found in the majority of 4 Wheel Drives.
Can AWD be left on continuously?
According to Car and Driver, 4WD is not intended to be utilized constantly. It only applies to specific sorts of roads, such as off-roading and rugged terrain, as well as slick terrain like snow or mud. Car and Driver recommends driving 4WD vehicles in two-wheel drive otherwise.