Yes, as you might suspect, a vehicle with all-wheel drive (AWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) does require more service maintenance than a standard two-wheel drive car. That's important to know since AWD and 4WD cars, trucks, and SUVs are extremely popular today, and for good reason. AWD allows all the wheels to grip when you need them most, like when driving on slippery roads or in snowy conditions. It is great for off-roading and improves performance in sports cars, but proper maintenance is important.
Does an AWD Car require Additional Maintenance?
Your AWD or 4WD vehicle needs all of the regular service required by any car such as oil and filter changes, tire rotations, fluid and safety checks, and in addition, it requires special maintenance for all the parts that make all-wheel drive possible. AWD vehicles deliver torque to the opposite axle when needed, some allow a specific wheel to deliver more torque when it is slipping, and that requires a differential, a transfer case as well as a second drive axle, axle shaft, and an additional axle differential. All of these additional parts require service to keep them in proper running condition. Simply put, more parts mean more service.
Required Service for AWD Vehicles
Additional maintenance for all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive vehicles involves inspecting and replacing fluids as recommended in the vehicle's Owner's Manual including replacing the specialized fluids for the differential and transfer case. While the Owner's Manual will suggest these fluids be inspected frequently and replaced at specific intervals (some suggest replacing the transfer case fluid every 30,000 miles), how often you replace the fluids really depends on how hard you drive the vehicle. "Severe service" as defined by the automaker, could have you replacing fluids every 15,000 miles or sooner.
If you frequently enjoy taking your four-wheeler out in the rough for a little rock climbing, you'll need to inspect and replace the fluids more often. While Ford suggests that you change the transfer case gear oil every 30,000 miles and the fluid in both front and rear differentials every 30,000 to 50,000 miles, you should have these fluids checked every time you have an engine oil change if you take the truck off road. You might have to have to service the transfer case and differentials every 15,000 miles if you put them through a lot of heavy towing or off-road adventures. The intervals suggested by the manufacturer will keep your warranty in effect, but based on how you drive, it's best to go with your service technician's recommendations.
Other additional costs when thinking about buying an AWD vehicle include a higher purchase price, lower gas mileage, and extra weight when compared to a front-wheel or rear-wheel drive car, truck, or SUV. According to cars.com, you may also pay more for tires because it is recommended that you replace all four tires, even if only one tire is damaged. That's because mixing worn tires with one new one can possibly send the wrong signals to the vehicle's all-wheel drive system, causing it to activate when extra traction isn't needed.
AWD Maintenance Tips
This is the gearbox that sends power from the transmission to the appropriate wheels in an AWD or 4WD vehicle. Transfer case fluid is a specialty gear oil similar to automatic transmission fluid that lubricates the gears so they run smoothly and stay cool. It is important to check the transfer case fluid every time you have the engine oil changed. Your service technician should check the transfer case for any signs of leaks or damage and should check the gear oil to make sure it has not become contaminated, shows evidence of metal particles, or is getting dark in color. If the fluid shows any of these signs, it should be replaced right away.
The front and rear differential lets the wheels turn at various speeds (such as when the car is turning a corner). High temperatures inside the differential can cause the fluid to break down and compromise its functionality. Check your Owner's Manual for suggested service intervals but know that without the lubrication provided by this special gear oil, friction will wear through to the gear teeth, causing them to fail. Changing the differential fluid should be done by a factory-trained technician because the old fluid cannot mix with the new fluid.
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Limited-slip differentials require gear oil that contains special additives. Check your Owner's Manual for the correct fluid for each gear box.
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Most ball joints on today's vehicles are sealed, don't need to be lubricated, and require no maintenance. But many cars and trucks on the road today still have grease fittings that need to be inspected and lubricated. These include ball joints, driveshaft U-joints, slip joints, and suspension arms. The fittings must be thoroughly cleaned before pumping grease into them in order to prevent any contamination.
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AWD and 4WD vehicles often spend a good deal of time banging around off-road, getting wet, muddy, and dirty. This makes it easy for rust to invade your wheel wells as well corrode such chassis components as brake lines and cables, suspension arms, shock absorbers, and more. After driving on salted roads or going off-road, wash the vehicle from top to bottom and get to all those hard-to-reach areas to slow down rust. Apply anti-corrosion spray such as grease spray or other anti-rust spray to inhibit corrosion.
AWD vehicles put extra stress on tires and cause them to wear out sooner. Have your tires rotated every 5,000 miles, or whenever you have your engine oil changed. This will keep the size and tread condition of your tires the same. It will also distribute different wear patterns across the set of tires. Rotating the tires will prevent uneven wear, improve traction and handling, and make sure you get the most out of your tires.
Let Lithia Help
If you have an AWD or 4WD vehicle, let Lithia Motors help you keep it on the road. After all, towing, hauling, and off-roading can cause components in your car, truck, or SUV to wear out quicker. Our factory-trained technicians know where to look for wear and how to inspect your all-wheel drive vehicle. There's a Lithia Motors state-of-the-art service center near you.
