What does 4X4 mean?

[Martinf57]

We used to call them 4WD (4 wheel drive) but that now seems to have been replaced by '4x4'. If one of the 4's meand 4WD, what does the 'x4' actaully mean?

[Kerplunk]

4x4 = 4 by 4 ??

[Martinf57]

Yes I know that "4x4" = "4 by 4", but what is that in english? Does it mean 4 driven wheels and something else...? If so, what is the something else???

[Jenny Tools]

It means the vehicle has 4 wheels and 4 are driven. Lorries for example, with different axle configuration can be 4x2, 4x4, 6x2, 6x4 and 8x4 etc.

[Martinf57]

Thank you Jenny - that makes some sense, except we don't tend to refer to non 4x4 cars as 4x2 do we, so isn't it just a nonesense really for cars - dreamed up by advertising or marketing bods? Surely, we should revert to the old term of "4WD" for cars (except Reliants and lorries)???

[sddsddean]

To be honest Martin, you are spot on. Its all advertising hype. I drive a DAF85 tipper (thats an 8x4), but most of the time it is actually a 8x2, until you start using the two differential locks to add extra drive wheels. Most people I know who own a 4x4(and yes they are mostly women) haven't got a clue on the principals of what the little lever by the (usually automatic)gearstick does to make it 4 wheel drive. And before all the ladies say I'm sexist, my wife has had a HGVclass 1 licence longer than I have, so at least she knows what she is doing!)

[Jenny Tools]

and theres me thinking it was for me to hang my handbag on, you sexist p1g go and split a gear.

[Jenny Tools]

sorry meant to add ;-)

[sddsddean]

Ah Jenny, you haven't been reading the manual right. The choke is what you pull out and hang your handbag on!!!

[Dooglas]

I know the posted q is over 3 years old but it somwhat erks me what I see today. 4x4 means 4 speed ( manual floor shift where 1st is creeper gear for power ) 4 wd. I think Ford coined it. If it's an automatic it should be called Ax4. If it's a 5 speed manual it would be 5x4. AWD ( all wheel drive ) is all the wheels are geard the same. With ?x4 the front wheels are geared to rotate a little faster giving more control on dirt, mud, snow and ice. Driving on the hardpan ( pavement ) will chewup your drivetrain if you are in 4 wd.