Honda 4x4s... not actually 4x4

[cptsideways]

This is a rather brilliant (if somewhat long & boring) video a Latvian autoclub did, I think the Volvo Cross Counrty & Subaru Tribeca beat even the pukka 4x4's.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpp5tW71qYI


You can't beat 3 proper difflocks though, not many have that option, so thats a Proper Landcruiser or a G Wagon. I'm guessing the Landcruiser owner in the above vid either did'nt spec the option or did'nt press the right buttons

Going back to Landcruisers the European spec Landcruiser 80's have Front Mid & Rear Difflocks, plus a viscous coupling linking Front-Rear in operation if low range is not engaged. This has to be the most mechanical overkill to get full drive to every wheel.

Edited by cptsideways on Friday 24th October 21:32

[kambites]

Faintly amusing that the 4WD 3-series couldn't move in a situation where a RWD one would have been able to.

[cptsideways]

kambites said:

Faintly amusing that the 4WD 3-series couldn't move in a situation where a RWD one would have been able to.

Yes I thought that too! I always thought they were rwd with some drive to the front, obviously not!

[Digby]

Having just picked up a cheap Forester, I was looking at 4WD test vids..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uwr5_Sd47Us

And seeing as I thought the old bus handled quite well..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7dVFY5CxT0


Have to agree re: the old CR-V, though.Mine was rather good in the snow, as was my HR-V.

Edited by Digby on Friday 24th October 22:02

[BugLebowski]

cptsideways said:

This is a rather brilliant (if somewhat long & boring) video a Latvian autoclub did, I think the Volvo Cross Counrty & Subaru Tribeca beat even the pukka 4x4's.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpp5tW71qYI


You can't beat 3 proper difflocks though, not many have that option, so thats a Proper Landcruiser or a G Wagon. I'm guessing the Landcruiser owner in the above vid either did'nt spec the option or did'nt press the right buttons

Going back to Landcruisers the European spec Landcruiser 80's have Front Mid & Rear Difflocks, plus a viscous coupling linking Front-Rear in operation if low range is not engaged. This has to be the most mechanical overkill to get full drive to every wheel.

Edited by cptsideways on Friday 24th October 21:32

Interesting stuff! Still though I'd rather have open diffs and decent MT tyres than the electronic option on road tyres.

[MoelyCrio]

kambites said:

BugLebowski said:

kambites said:

I don't think you'll find any modern car, 4x4 or not, which has no capacity for software updates.

I mean software updates that affect how the 4x4 system works, i.e. a fully mechanical 4x4 system.

Don't all modern SUVs have electronic differential control, then?

Don't think the 2015 Jimny has one?

[Roo]

Think I'll stick with my AWD/4WD/4LO Durango.

[Cupramax]

divetheworld said:

Just as sheeite as my old Q5. One wheel on the loose stuff and it gives up.

bks, Q5's (and A4/5/6 etc) use ABS on single wheels to direct power across diffs so you've dreamt that one up. If one wheel spins up it simply applies the brakes on that wheel directing power to the other side.

[anonymous-user]

So a "soft roader" like a Honda isn't as good off road in-extremis than say a full sized 4x4, like a defender or whatever. Not entirely news is it.

Now tell me how many actual customers have noticed this "issue"??

[Fizpop]

These modern lifestyle '4x4s' are actually more trouble than not having one at all. Light 4x4 credentials, limited ground clearance, open diffs, eco tyres. It's usually a case of enough ability to get you into trouble but not enough to get you out - but now your further from assistance.

I'll take a mk 5 fiesta on winters for snow and mud thanks

[ging84]

can't believe that many 4x4s are defeated by slip on one side of the car
and the bmw, any 2 wheels loose grip and it's beat? (except maybe diagonally opposite)

[lemonslap]

Cupramax said:

divetheworld said:

Just as sheeite as my old Q5. One wheel on the loose stuff and it gives up.

bks, Q5's (and A4/5/6 etc) use ABS on single wheels to direct power across diffs so you've dreamt that one up. If one wheel spins up it simply applies the brakes on that wheel directing power to the other side.

+1 plus a proper torsen diff in the middle.

[Sheepshanks]

jackh707 said:

The original Mk1 CRV was quite good in comparison.

No electronic goodies and a good old fashioned viscous coupling, front wheels slip... Sends drive to the rear, key is to keep your foot in and keep the fronts spinning on slippery surfaces. Suprisingly fun at oversteer in a snowy car park or at the beach. Loved mine, far more capable than the newer ones.

I read somewhere that AWD is used so infrequently that on older CRVs (not sure if this is series specific) it hardly ever works when called for.

[Sheepshanks]

lemonslap said:

Cupramax said:

divetheworld said:

Just as sheeite as my old Q5. One wheel on the loose stuff and it gives up.

bks, Q5's (and A4/5/6 etc) use ABS on single wheels to direct power across diffs so you've dreamt that one up. If one wheel spins up it simply applies the brakes on that wheel directing power to the other side.

+1 plus a proper torsen diff in the middle.

Colleague in Germany has a Q5 and he said it's spectacularly useless if he doesn't get the winter tyres on quick enough.

[the_lone_wolf]

kapiteinlangzaam said:

cptsideways said:

The Volvo's suffer a similar fate in those tests.

The Volvos actually do remarkably well, considering they are family cars with a bit of AWD ability...

http://youtu.be/tpp5tW71qYI?t=9m

^^^^ Passing the test that plenty fail on, incl. the Forester:

http://youtu.be/tpp5tW71qYI?t=8m19s

As an AWD Volvo owner who actually does leave the tarmac occasionally, they cope admirably with anything they're likely to face in reality, and some things far beyond...

With a little ingenuity and knowledge of the inner workings of 4x4 systems you could engineer a test to confound anything short of three difflocks...

[A.J.M]

Skip to 3 minute mark.

Evoque doing the 2 wheels on grip and 2 wheels on ice challenge.

http://youtu.be/2FM-R6NkxGg

[Lozw86]

Surely no one buys these to go off road anyway

[FiF]

Fizpop said:

These modern lifestyle '4x4s' are actually more trouble than not having one at all. Light 4x4 credentials, limited ground clearance, open diffs, eco tyres. It's usually a case of enough ability to get you into trouble but not enough to get you out - but now your further from assistance.

I'll take a mk 5 fiesta on winters for snow and mud thanks

[FiF]

Fizpop said:

These modern lifestyle '4x4s' are actually more trouble than not having one at all. Light 4x4 credentials, limited ground clearance, open diffs, eco tyres. It's usually a case of enough ability to get you into trouble but not enough to get you out - but now your further from assistance.

I'll take a mk 5 fiesta on winters for snow and mud thanks

Yep, not to mention the extra weight plus a driver with no idea and who thinks a little bit of extra traction means that they have extra grip.

[nick heppinstall]

My Scout has been pretty good in the snow. I've certainly never been stuck in it. Also been in muddy fields with deep ruts and never had a problem even with summer tyres. 4Th generation Haldex.