Engineworld

The short answer is this: AWD and 4WD help a vehicle accelerate in slippery conditions, but don't aid with braking and only sometimes improve handling. That said, you shouldn't necessarily cross the feature off your shopping list. AWD and 4WD are often used interchangeably, but they  operate differently and are found on different vehicle. All-Wheel Drive (AWD):  A drivetrain that employs a front, rear and center differential to provide power to all four wheels of a vehicle. Four-Wheel Drive (4WD):  A drivetrain that employs two differentials and a transfer...

     Torque   is supplied from the engine, via the   transmission , to a   drive shaft   (British term: 'propeller shaft', commonly and informally abbreviated to 'prop-shaft'), which runs to the   final drive unit   that contains the differential. A   spiral bevel   pinion   gear takes its drive from the end of the propeller shaft, and is encased within the housing of the final drive unit. This meshes with the large spiral bevel   ring   gear, known as the   crown wheel . The crown wheel and pinion may mesh in   hypoid   orientation, not shown. The crown wheel gear is attached to the differential   carrier   or cage, which contains the 'sun' and 'planet' wheels or gears, which are a cluster of four opposed bevel gears in perpendicular plane, so each bevel gear meshes with two neighbours, and rotates counter to the third, that it faces and does not mesh with. The two sun wheel gears are alig...

A quick trip to an auto-parts store reveals several different types of lubricants. Each one has a specific purpose and use. Choosing the correct type of automotive lubricant can extend the life of an expensive part, while choosing the wrong lubricant will destroy it quickly. A little basic lubrication knowledge can save large amounts of money in the long run. Motor Oil:  Motor oil is the most common type of automotive oil used. Many vehicle manufactures recommend replacing motor oil every 3,000 miles. Motor oil typically contains additives to prevent break down, corrosion and reduce foaming. Motor comes in many different viscosity ratings. Viscosity of an oil is its thickness. It measures the oil's internal resistance to flow, or friction. The smaller the viscosity number, the thinner the oil is and the easier it flows. Most automobile manufactures recommend a multi-grade motor oil like 5W-30. The purpose of a multi-grade...

Sometimes, we wonder if technology is hurting more than helping us, and in some cases, it may be. One way that today?s technology is really helping us is by providing us with many more devices in our vehicles to keep us safe. Throughout the history of motor vehicles, there have been some significant changes. For instance, in the beginning, vehicles didn?t even have seatbelts or windshield wipers. We?ve come a long way since Henry Ford first started rolling cars off the assembly line. Today?s automobiles have all kinds of wonderful features designed to keep you and your loved ones safe. Here are 10 of the top vehicle safety devices you need to be aware of, especially when purchasing a new vehicle: 1 Airbags Some people think that these are actually dangerous, but they have in fact saved many, many lives. There are two main types of air bags, dual stage airbags and side airbags. If needed, the dual stage airbags will go off at different times, one in a minor accident and b...

Hyundai' s    Kappa   automobile  engine series consists of  3 cylinder  and  4 cylinder  models. [2] Kappa 1 1.2 L The 1.2 litre variant is gasoline powered, all-aluminum, and utilizes a  DOHC  16-valve design, as opposed to the  SOHC  12-valve design of its predecessor, the  Hyundai Epsilon Engine   76 hp (57 kW; 77 PS) at 5,200 rpm and 82 lb · ft (111 N · m) of torque at 4,000 rpm. 1.25 L The 1.25 litre is the European version displacing 1248 cc. It makes 79 hp (59 kW; 80 PS) at 5,200 rpm and 87 lb · ft (118 N · m) of torque...