Honda cr v is it 4 wheel drive

Sounds like a simple question..., but I can't find a straight answer anywhere!

I'm looking for a 4WD, and would love to go back to Honda, whom I've always had good luck with!

I'd like to find a front wheel drive vehicle that can switch to 4WD. Do they even make such a thing?

That brings me to the CR-V. After doing some research on it, it looks like the CR-V may be front wheel drive and be able to switch to all four!

However, I can't confirm it.

So do any of the 3 generations do this?

Are there any members here that have front wheel drive - that can switch to 4WD with the driver pressing a button or something?

PS: I'm not looking for full time all wheel drive. I think some CR-Vs are like this, or is it all of them?

The CR V is front wheel drive but if the front wheels loose grip the rear wheels go into action with the front wheels! It is actually Real Time All Wheel Drive. Hope this clears it up for you? Hal

The Cr-v is primarily front wheel drive, and in the even of a slip, the rear wheels engage making it 4wd when it's needed, but it's not selectable (which sounds like what you want)

The electronic engagement of 4wd by the driver, that you're talking about, is usually only available on RWD cars with larger engines, that engage a diff up front to the front wheels.

Awesome guys... What a fast and direct response! That was exactly the info I was looking for!!

While I'm at it - has anyone any advice on which generation cr-v has been the least problematic, or best overall?

I'm buying out of pocket, which means I'm buying used - so I'd like to get one that will last awhile....

One Additional Point

Yes the CR-V is FWD that can go into 4WD, but you can't force it into 4WD. There is no switch, button, or lever. It is purely a hydraulic system that applies power to the rear wheels when the front slip. If the front wheels are not slipping you are only in FWD. So while technically a 4WD vehicle it should not be confused with an off road 4WD that can be placed into 4WD and typically has a very low range for maximum traction. It ain't no CJ-5.

The original 3 versions were all good, no big issues, you'll just have to decide what kind of power and room you want basically.

Purchase the newest you can afford.Hal

I'm particularly fond of the 2002 for some reason, I think I speak for everyone here, when I say it's the best one that ever happened

yep, four wheel drive not all wheel drive, i think honda uses this system in most of their 4wd vehicles, but i am not sure.

here is what the ridgeline and pilot have,

The Pilot’s VTM-4® system operates automatically. But when you need to start off in extreme low-traction conditions such as when stopped in mud, on ice or in loose gravel, the thoughtful VTM-4® Lock feature lets you manually lock the rear differential to help get you moving. And it can stay manually locked up to 18 mph.

*credit to Honda's website.

the CR-V is normally FWD. the rear wheels will start receiving power as soon as the front wheels start slipping (you can read up on how exactly it decides to engage), and this will happen very quickly once front slippage is occurring. this is why it is called "real time 4WD." Now you might wonder (like I did), how exactly is this different from other options?

A "full-time 4WD system" is common on large body-on-frame trucks. It's usually 2WD, but you can stick it into 4WD when needed and typically it will stay engaged until you turn it off, and you can't leave it on in all situations (say highway driving). Modern systems, I believe, can turn off the 4WD for you above a certain speed to avoid damage. Full time 4WD will give you unsurpassed traction in slippery situations or off-roading, but is not considered useful for performance driving and fuel economy is poor. I believe, but am not sure, that the Suzuki SX4 uses a similar system, making it a bit unusual.

A "full-time AWD" system relies on a series of differentials to continuously route power to all four wheels, and immediately transfer torque when needed based upon wheel slippage or handling requirements. Because it has a center differential and can allow wheels to spin at different speeds, it can be used at any speed without damage. So compared to the Honda system, this a) responds more quickly b) is good for more situations and c) can shift power left-right as well as front-back. However, fuel economy is typically substantially worse because you've got so many friction points and hardware. Subaru uses this type of system, as, I believe, does Audi. there are several different differential types which can be used.

Honda's sytem is lighter and simpler than the above, so fuel economy is better and it will break less often. However there is a penalty to be paid: it isn't quite as capable in the situations where you want the 4WD. The Honda system is, therefore, great for 99% of drivers who want the have 4WD when needed, don't want to have to turn it on and off, and don't need an AWD system for performance driving. Personally, I really like the Subaru setup, but the entire CRV package was so compelling no Subaru could compare.

It took me quite a while to work all this out. I think i didn't really understand how it worked until after i purchased the car and there are still gaps in my knowledge. I do not claim to be a total expert. Furthermore, keep in mind that the issue is complicated by the fact that every manufacturer's system is a little different. In fact, there are even major differences between different models made by the same company. On top of all THAT, the distinction between 4WD and AWD is not hard and fast at the mechanical level, and cars can be branded with one or the other. Don't get too intimidated.

Right on - thanks again guys. Great info!

I'll have to look into pricing now... lol

Nice job fujisawa! That really helped explain how the 4WD works on the V.

So presumably this means that if driving on an icy road, you need to start to skid before the 4WD kicks in? And you hope it is sufficient to stop the skid getting worse?

It does work reasonably well on ice but it aint to magic wand so take care! Pity you can't switch it on for added confidence under these conditions

So presumably this means that if driving on an icy road, you need to start to skid before the 4WD kicks in? And you hope it is sufficient to stop the skid getting worse?

It does work reasonably well on ice but it aint to magic wand so take care! Pity you can't switch it on for added confidence under these conditions

Not really. In fact, having all four wheels providing tractive effort on a slippery surface can actually enhance "skidding". You have VSA on your Gen 2.5 V and that system is what controls/limits "skidding". RT4WD may or may not engage depending on the slip rate of the front wheels (vs the rear wheels).

The following are two reasonably good explanations of how RT4WD and VSA systems work:

http://www.hondanews.com/categories/844/releases/3653

http://www.hondanews.com/categories/844/releases/3650

For a much more detailed explanation of RT4WD operation, consider:

http://www.skidmore.edu/~pdwyer/e/files/rtawd.pdf

VSA & RT 4WD on the CR-V

how are the rear wheels engaged if the VSA acts like a limited slip to keep the front tires from "over-spinning"? braking force is applied to the front drive wheel that is slipping, which in turn eqaulizes torque with the other front tire with more traction. is it only when both front tires have lost traction (with VSA limited slip-like feature turned on) is power transfered to the rear? wouldn't the VSA apply more braking force to limit the spin on both front tires? is there a limit to the braking force applied by VSA to the front tires that allows the rear diff to engage?

i've been in a few spots where the front tires have lost traction....then in a fraction of a second i hear and feel vibrations, then traction regained. sand, water, dirt........i know the VSA and RT 4WD systems work. i just don't understand how two systems that prevent traction loss come together.

how are the rear wheels engaged if the VSA acts like a limited slip to keep the front tires from "over-spinning"? braking force is applied to the front drive wheel that is slipping, which in turn eqaulizes torque with the other front tire with more traction. is it only when both front tires have lost traction (with VSA limited slip-like feature turned on) is power transfered to the rear? wouldn't the VSA apply more braking force to limit the spin on both front tires? is there a limit to the braking force applied by VSA to the front tires that allows the rear diff to engage?

i've been in a few spots where the front tires have lost traction....then in a fraction of a second i hear and feel vibrations, then traction regained. sand, water, dirt........i know the VSA and RT 4WD systems work. i just don't understand how two systems that prevent traction loss come together.

You have it basically correct. The "limited slip" feature of the VSA System monitors the difference between front wheel slip rates. It looks for differences in excess of normal differentiation in corners and so on. The RT4WD System is completely independent of VSA and may be operating at the same time or by itself. The RT4WD System simply reacts to a difference between the front differential speed and the rear differential speed. In other words, if one front wheel looses traction and the difference between the two front wheel speeds is great enough to trigger a response from the VSA System, the RT4WD System probably will still react if the combination of the two front wheel speeds (differentiated) is in excess of the combined rear wheel speeds (differentiated). The RT4WD System really doesn't know what the individual wheel speeds are. It only knows what the differential (ring and pinion gears) speeds are.

http://www.slhondaparts.com/browse....ssions=KA&PartCatalogId=14SWA7&ViewParts=true

In the linked illustration Part #3 is the traditional "ring gear" in the front differential. It is driven by the transmission output gear (pinion). Part #1 is an additional gear that drives the transfer case, prop shaft and rear differential/RT4WD System. Both are bolted directly to the differential housing ("chunk"). You can see how torque really flows "around" or directly through the front differential, independent of what the individual front wheels are doing. The front (rear also) differential is an "open" differential and it's up to the VSA System in Gen 2.5 and later Vs to limit individual (front) wheel spins.

In Vs prior to Gen 2.5 (2005) it was possible to get into situations where one front wheel and one rear wheel had completely lost traction and the vehicle was "stuck", because of the "open differentials". The "traction control" feature of the VSA System was added in an effort to reduce the chances of this situation occurring. It's, in effect, adding a front, "limited slip" differential to the V. The key word here is "limited", however. VSA has a dark side and it's called "throttle control". In many situations with the later Vs, it's actually better to turn the VSA off and use "left foot braking" for traction/wheel spin control. This is an old technique which can be used with all but the most sophisticated 4WD systems. BUT.....That is a different kettle of worms.

I hope this helps.

Purchase the newest you can afford.Hal

Hehe what he said.

yep, four wheel drive not all wheel drive, i think honda uses this system in most of their 4wd vehicles, but i am not sure.

theres a civic wagon that is at4wd and 6speed too,
D series engine though..
im thinking of getting this one as another proj.car.
LOL!