How well does the 2012 AWD + 2-speed transfer do?

7243 Views 3 Replies 2 Participants Last post by Tymont, Jan 19, 2012

JohnB

Discussion Starter · Dec 31, 2011

I'm thinking of getting a 2012 Durango w/ the V8. The local salesman couldn't explain to me how the drive system works, though he tried to BS me some about it ("oh yeah, it's as good for off-road as a Land Rover LR4").
I don't know much about such stuff, so I'm looking for a layman's explanation of the front-to-rear and left-to-right transfer, as well as what the low range does for you.
My Audi Quattro Allroad got stuck in a snow drift in our (long) dirt driveway the other day, even when jacked up to its 8.2" max height. I think all the power ended up going to one, spinning wheel. How would the Durango have done?
Thanks in advance, John

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Tymont

· #2 · Jan 2, 2012

The AWD sends power to all wheels under normal driving. However, it constantly monitors each wheel for slippage and reduces power to the slipping wheel in order to help maintain control. When you switch to 4 lo or 4 hi you are basically telling the car not to monitor for or allow wheel slippage. 4 lo is obviously staying in a lower gear and therefor traveling at much slower speeds. On mine, 4 hi is good for about 55 mph.
Something else to remember. Whe you lock it in 4 lo or hi the front wheels will "skip" when turning on pavement. This is normal.

Hope this helps.

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JohnB

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 18, 2012

Tymont said:
...
Something else to remember. Whe you lock it in 4 lo or hi the front wheels will "skip" when turning on pavement. This is normal.
Hope this helps.

Tymont, you must be talking about the older Durango, right? The new one has a button for Auto AWD, Low, or Neutral (for towing), but I don't there's an option to lock the differential. So I'm still trying to learn how good it's off-road capabilities are.

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Tymont

· #4 · Jan 19, 2012

JohnB said:
Tymont, you must be talking about the older Durango, right? The new one has a button for Auto AWD, Low, or Neutral (for towing), but I don't there's an option to lock the differential. So I'm still trying to learn how good it's off-road capabilities are.

The only difference is that the new ones are activated electronically with a switch. Mine is activated manually with a lever on the floor. The end result is still the same. Mine is AWD as well. But I can select 4 lo or neutral for towing.

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