Re: Snow Tires

[Eliot Lim <eliot@u.washington.edu>]

On Fri, 12 Jul 1996, Sean Reifschneider wrote:

> >it would be more accurate to describe it as a VW syncro.....  part-time,
> >automatically engaging 4wd.
> 
> What what I've read of the Volvo, it uses the vicous coupling center
> differential like the BMW 325ix, Mitsu Eclipse/Eagle Talon, Mitsu 3KGT/
> Dodge Stealth, and others have used.

there are 2 very different ways of using a VC:

1) as *the* center diff/transfer case  

2) as a slip limiter on a conventional diff.

those examples you list are (2), while the 911C4, volvo, vw syncro are
(1).  

>  It is a full-time 4WD, however
> it doesn't really engage until the front wheels slip.  They describe it
> as a 95/5% split (95% front).  Ack!

i would consider this a part time system, because most of the time it
is effectively 2wd and the system engages drive to the rear wheels
only under slip conditions.  the only difference between this and
traditional f*** trucks is that this is done automatically for you.  i
suppose one could argue if 5% of the torque represents drive or not.
i don't consider that to be drive especially when you compare this
system to the audis with their full time 50/50 split.


eliot