The Fundamentals of Automotive All-Wheel Drive System

This on-demand course provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts and evolution of passenger car and light truck 4×4/all-wheel drive (AWD) systems, including the nomenclature utilized to describe these systems. It covers basic power transfer unit and transfer case design parameters, component application to system function, the future of AWD systems, and emerging technologies that may enable future systems.

Based on the popular classroom seminar, this eight-module course includes the instructor’s insights and industry experience, including answers to participant questions. To engage the learner and ensure that the objectives are met, interactions, knowledge checks, and summaries have been added. A downloadable course handbook is also included.

Objectives

By participating in this on-demand course, you’ll be able to:

• Identify front wheel drive and rear wheel drive vehicle architectures
• Identify part time, full time, and on demand all-wheel drive systems
• Explain the benefits of all-wheel drive over two-wheel drive
• Quantify all-wheel drive traction and mobility benefits
• Describe auxiliary axle disconnect systems
• Explain basic vehicle dynamics performance and the effect of AWD on performance
• Identify couplers vs. biasing devices and their basic function
• Describe the differences between mechanical and electrical implementation in AWD systems
• Describe basic control strategies and logic
• Discuss advanced propulsion concepts and systems