Re: 2WD v. AWD

[Rob Bailey <baileyr@cuug.ab.ca>]

>Can anyone give me a quick and definitive response to the following:  a 
>local mechanic recently opined to me that the quattro system operates (in 
>normal mode) in front-wheel drive; only when activated (i.e., 
>differential activated) does the four wheel drive mode kick in.  I 
>understand differently --that quattro is AWD at all times but that you 
>have the ability to direct more power/traction to the front or rear 
>wheels when activating the front/rear differential.

Get a new mechanic. A quattro is an all wheel drive car. It has three 
differentials. Some so-called AWD cars have a viscous coupler which 
doesn't come into play until there is wheel slip (ie. AMC Eagle, Vanagon 
Syncro), but the quattro applies power to all wheels all the time. 

Rob