How to test all wheel drive on a test drive

[Jem45]

If I'm test driving an all wheel drive car, how do I check that all 4 wheels are driving? Off roading, even of a gentle nature, isn't usually possible in these circumstances.

Sorry if this is obvious but I'm head scratching. Cheers, Nick

[colnerov]

Hi, You get a feel for it but with a vehicle new to you that may not be possible. I suppose the easiest way is to accelerate briskly away on full lock, with 2wd it will spin the inside wheel. You would probably need to be more aggressive to do it in 4wd and it could earn you a rebuke so it maybe prudent to tell them you're going to do it. That is presuming it hasn't got LSD.

Colin

[winchman]

Firstly I doubt its all wheel drive as the differentials would need to be locked which isn't much use on a road car.
If you have a google it can be done by jacking it up on opposite corners some how but I can't quite remember.
The main thing is make sure all the gears select properly and it has now whining clunks or bangs from the transmission

[welshpug]

find gravel or mud, do the obvious.

[Jem45]

Cheers for the replies lads. I should have said, I'm looking at phase 1 Volvo Cross Country wagons.

You know how it is when you're trawling back street dealers - it's hard enough to get ten minutes up the road. I don't think a search for a rally stage would go down well! Colnerov - your way sounds like it might be easiest/ least likely to get me a slap from 'Big Keith'!

[Deleted]

Check the prop and centre bearing is still there.

[Deleted]

Mar 27, 2017 23:10:35 GMT colnerov said:

Hi, You get a feel for it but with a vehicle new to you that may not be possible. I suppose the easiest way is to accelerate briskly away on full lock, with 2wd it will spin the inside wheel.
Colin

Really?

[Ryannn]

When my mate was looking at TTs, the buying advice was to drive them with the handbrake on a couple of clicks. Don't know if that actually works or is even relevant for a Volvo!

[Jem45]

Just talk me through the science there Ryan.

[Ryannn]

Mar 28, 2017 20:42:59 GMT Jem45 said:

Just talk me through the science there Ryan.

If I could, then I would!

I believe the idea is that having the handbrake on a touch will cause the front wheels to loose traction which makes the Haldex system kick in.

[welshpug]

ah, so basically try to do a burnout?

[theheap]

On a ramp or 4 stands and drive it.

[BT]

Mar 28, 2017 18:08:30 GMT Ryannn said:

When my mate was looking at TTs, the buying advice was to drive them with the handbrake on a couple of clicks. Don't know if that actually works or is even relevant for a Volvo!

I read this the other day and was pretty baffled by it. Ive owned multiple TTs and Quattro cars over the years and have never heard of this testing method.

With the Quattro system a good way to check is to full lock the car and reverse, if the haldex system is at fault you can hear it grind pretty badly.

If it's a 4X4 with selectable drive I am sure I tested my ranger by selecting 4x4 mode and then driving in a very tight circle. It dragged the inside rear wheel.

I've driven Quattro, AWD/4X4s for pretty much my whole driving life. Recently I bought a FWD Mini Cooper S and the thing wheel spins everywhere. Usually when I would hastily pull away onto a roundabout the car will just hunker down and be on its way. I now have to be fully prepared for a awful wheel spin, it's something that's taking some adjustment.

[Jem45]

Just what I needed BT, cheers mate.