The distinguishing characteristic of a 4×4 vehicle is that its 4-wheel drive (4WD) is available in both high and low gearing. The term 4×4 refers to a 4-wheeled vehicle that delivers power to each wheel.
Enthusiasts consider a 4×4 a hardcore 4WD off-road vehicle. Although an automaker may also build passenger cars with all-wheel drive, they never characterize these lighter-duty vehicles as 4x4s.
A 4×4 is more effective for traveling over bad surfaces than a 2-wheel-drive vehicle because each wheel receives torque, which means the vehicle will still be able to move even when some of its wheels have no traction.
Engineered for off-road use, 4x4s typically have features to accommodate uneven terrain. The suspension of a 4×4 has higher clearance to prevent large rocks, logs, and tree stumps from scraping the undercarriage. These vehicles often have a locking differential and larger tires to maximize traction on unstable surfaces.
Because the complexity of their transmissions separate 4x4s from other types of vehicles, treating and maintaining this vital component well could save you thousands of dollars in repair and replacement costs.
