Front Wheel Drive Components

Front-wheel drive has become the most common drive system thanks to improved traction control and better fuel efficiency. First popularized in the 1970s when automakers made make smaller cars with smaller engine bays, the design of front-wheel drive offered improved safety.

Components

In a front-wheel drive vehicle, the entire drive train, including the engine, transmission, differential and axles, are located in front of the driver. This means that the vehicle is front-heavy; with some front-wheel drive vehicles, nearly 70 percent of the curb weight is in the front. The distance between the engine and the drive wheels is shorter, which means the driveshaft is also shorter.

Benefits

Front-wheel drive vehicles perform better in treacherous, snowy conditions. Because so much of the weight is over the front wheels, it provides better traction than rear-wheel drive vehicles. Also, the drive system takes up less space, which means there is more room inside the vehicle.

Drawbacks

Some driving enthusiasts don't enjoy driving front-wheel drive vehicles because with so much mass in the front of the vehicle, they don't respond as well as other drive systems in aggressive driving through tight curves.

References

• AutoTrader.com: The Whys and Wherefores of Front-, Rear- and All-Wheel Drive; November 2010.
• All-About-Car-Selection.com: Rear wheel drive vs. front wheel drive. Which is better?
• Popular Mechanics: Comparison Test: Front-Wheel Drive Vs. Rear-Wheel Drive; Ben Stewart; September 2004.
• Automobile.com: Understanding Your Vehicle's Drivetrain.