Evaluate how well a 4 Wheel Drive meets your needs and compares to competing products
If you've completed step one you've identified what you need in a 4 wheel drive and you've learned about the different features of 4 wheel drives. While you were doing your research, you probably started the process of determining which features - and thus which type of 4 wheel drive - will best meet your needs. Now you are going to continue that process, but in greater detail.
In this step you will
evaluate the 4 wheel drives available on the market to determine how well they meet your personal needs and establish, by a process of elimination, an initial short-list of contenders. Then you will compare these short-listed 4 wheel drives to find out which ones stand out from the competition.
Evaluate how a 4 Wheel Drive meets your needs
Your priority at this point in your evaluation is to find the available 4 wheel drives in the market that best meet your needs. You can save a lot of time during this activity by quickly eliminating any 4 wheel drives that are unsuitable because they don't meet your key requirements. For example, if you have a limited budget for this purchase then you can ignore any 4 wheel drives that clearly exceed your price limit.
There are three types of 4 wheel drive vehicles you can purchase: part-time 4WD, automatic 4WD, and permanent 4WD. When considering buying a larger vehicle such as a sports utility vehicle (SUV) or truck, you should determine what you expect from it. Some vehicles are better for rain, snow, and dry pavement than others, so knowing what you will need is important.
To be precise, 4 wheel drive systems differ from all-wheel drive systems and you should be aware of the differences before buying a new car or truck. Most 4 wheel drive systems are controlled by the driver and can be turned on and off with a switch, while most all wheel drive systems are on at all times.
Tip: Ask the dealer which systems are offered in the vehicles you want to test drive or look at more closely. Some dealers call 4 wheel drive systems 'part-time' systems and some all wheel drive systems as 'full-time systems'.
Part-time 4 wheel drive systems are considered traditional in that you will be able to control when you want to use it. These systems offer low traction, which is great when travelling on snow or ice, but not very good when driving on dry roads. Turn the 4WD system off when driving on dry roads. When the system is not activated, vehicles will become front wheel or rear wheel drive vehicles.
Newer SUVs and trucks are now available with automatic 4WD. Computer software is used to signal the vehicle when to switch from 2WD to 4WD. If you experience a variety of different weather conditions when travelling, this is a good option to consider.
Tip: If you decide to purchase an automatic 4WD drive vehicle, keep in mind that you will not be able to control when the system will be activated.
Permanent 4WD, is similar to all wheel drive systems; means that the vehicle is always in this mode when it is being operated.
Before buying a 4WD vehicle, decide if it is an option you will use often. Unless you want to take your new truck off-roading or if you live in an area that sees a lot of varying weather, you may not need to this option. Once you have determined your needs, you will have to decide which system to purchase. Again, this will depend on the weather conditions and road conditions you experience the most.
Tip: If you plan on buying a used 4WD vehicle, you should have it inspected before buying it. This is because many people use their 4WD vehicles to go off-roading, which is a popular sport where people drive through mud, quite deep water, and other materials not normally found on the road.
There are many types of 4WD vehicles available these days. While many people associate 4WD vehicles with trucks or SUVs, there are smaller cars that have 4WD capabilities.
When you were considering your requirements in a 4 wheel drive it's likely that you singled out certain factors such as part or full time 4WD, vehicle and engine size, comfort, safety options and price as being of major significance. As with so many other products, the more features offered, the higher the price.
Buyz123 has created a checklist containing examples of major features; you can work from this checklist when evaluating how well various 4 wheel drives meet your personal needs:
Features Checklist
Part-Time 4 Wheel Drive
- 4 wheel drive system controlled by driver
- Lever or switch control
- Switch to 4 wheel drive while driving
- Best on slippery surfaces
- Do not use on dry surfaces
Automatic 4 Wheel Drive
- Not controlled by driver
- Built-in computer system determines if 4 wheel drive option is necessary
Permanent 4 wheel drive (full-time 4 WD, all-wheel)
- Always powers all four wheels
- Traction on both dry and slippery surfaces
4 wheel drive vehicles
- Trucks
- Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV)
- Jeeps
- Sedans (certain models only)
- Station wagons (certain models only)
- Vans (certain models only)
Fuel Economy and Engine Capacity - miles per gallon (mpg), kilometers per liter (kmpl)
- Trucks - 14 mpg (6 kmpl) city,19 mpg (8 kmpl) hwy, V6, V8
- SUV - 13 to 20 mpg (5.5 to 8.5 kmpl), six-cylinders to V8
- Jeeps - 18 mpg (7.5 kmpl) city, 22 mpg (9.5 kmpl) hwy, V6
- Sedans - 18 mpg (7.5 kmpl) city, 25 mpg (10.6 kmpl) hwy, 4.2 liter, V8
- Station wagons - 17 mpg (7 kmpl) city, 24 mpg (10.2 kmpl) hwy, V6, V8
- Vans - 19 mpg (8 kmpl) city, 26 mpg (11.1 kmpl) hwy, V6, V8
Passenger Capacity
- Truck - 3 to 5 people
- Sports Utility Vehicle - 5 to 10 people
- Jeep - up to 4 people
- Sedans - 2 to 5 people
- Station wagon - 4 to 9 people
- Vans - 7 to 15 people (medium to full size vans)
Anti-lock brakes
- Many vehicles have this system (may have to pay extra)
- Brake-traction control
- Automatically applies brakes when vehicle begins to skid
Additional accessories
- Lift kits
- GPS, Navigation systems
- Full-traction suspension
- Shock absorbers
- Gears and lockers
- Heated seats
- Climate control
- Cruise control
- DVD entertainment systems
- Winch
Off-roading recreation options for 4WD vehicles
- Off-roading clubs
- Off-roading trails
- Off-roading activities
Safety and Warranty Information
- New vehicle (bumper to bumper) - 5 yrs or 60,000 miles (96,560km), 10yrs or 100,000miles (161,000km)
- Restraint System - 5yrs or 60,000 miles (96,560km), 10yrs or 100,000 miles (161,000km)
- Anti-Corrosion - 7yrs or 70,000 miles (112,650km), 10yrs or 100,000 miles (161,000km)
- Roadside Assistance (additional costs may apply)
- Rear-wheel drive
- Airbags - front, side
- Secure chassis
There are a lot of features listed here, and some of them may not be relevant to your particular requirements. So, work your way through the list and assess how each of these features impact on your 4 wheel drive needs. You can then create a personalized checklist of the features you really require in a 4 wheel drive.
Once you have finished evaluating the 4 wheel drives available for sale in the light of your personal needs and arrived at a short-list of 'possibles' you are ready to progress to the next stage. This involves comparing the 4 wheel drives one-on-one in order to find those that really stand out.
Evaluate how well a 4 Wheel Drive compares with competing 4 Wheel Drives
Comparing the items on your interim short-list, one to another, is an important part of the purchasing process - we all want to buy the best product we possibly can. So once you have established a short-list of 4 wheel drives that meet your needs it is time to evaluate how well they compare in fine detail. This way you can assemble a select list of 4 wheel drives that stand out from the crowd.
Questions to ask yourself:
Which 4 wheel drive on my short-list offers the best value for money?
Which of these 4 wheel drives best meet my needs?
Which of my short-listed 4 wheel drives has the best warranty?
Which 4 wheel drive is the easiest to drive?
Which of the 4 wheel drives seems of the highest quality?
Which short-listed 4 wheel drive has the best safety features?
Which 4 wheel drive do I like best?
By answering these simple questions, you are actually eliminating 4 wheel drives that aren't absolutely right for you. This is an excellent time - if you haven't done so already - to evaluate how well your short-listed products measure up in the following areas: Physical Quality, Warranty Conditions and Accessories & Extras.
Physical Quality
Regardless of the method you use when purchasing the 4 wheel drive, you need to find an opportunity to examine the product to evaluate how well it is made, and to check that it is truly suitable for you and your purpose. This is the time to examine the quality of the materials, and how well the 4 wheel drive is put together. Check the assembly - is the 4 wheel drive solidly constructed? It's also important to examine the 4 wheel drive from the perspective of ease of use. How easily is the 4 wheel drive prepared for cleaning and maintenance?
If the vehicle is optional 4 wheel drive, how easy is it to engage 4 wheel drive? Do you have to get out of the vehicle to change the wheel hubs? Are the controls easy to use? Make sure the 4 wheel drive fits you physically, and that it is user-friendly - some 4 wheel drives look great on paper, but unexpected problems will show up when you finally get your hands on them.
Physical Inspection Checklist:
- Materials - quality, appearance
- Assembly - all parts held together securely, good quality fittings
- Solidly constructed - stable, no loose components
- Proper fit of removable parts - easy to remove and replace, fit snugly
- Controls - visible, easy to use, accessible, clearly labelled
- Size - appropriate for surroundings and purpose
- Appearance - well finished, appropriate color, neat fittings etc
- Easy and comfortable to drive
Warranty Conditions
Similar products may be available with significantly different terms and conditions, and you want to get the best deal you can. Parts and labor are often covered under separate warranties, for different time periods; sometimes there can be a significant difference in the warranty offered with one model compared to that offered with the next model up. It is particularly important to investigate any conditions that might void a warranty, such as if you don't use an approved workshop for repairs.
Warranty Checklist:
- Duration - check the specifics
- Parts, Labour, Mechanical, Electrical
- Exactly what is covered
- Exactly what is excluded
- Conditions or actions that may void the warranty
Accessories, Extras and Consumables
When evaluating similar products, it is a good idea to include accessories in your assessment. You need to be clear about exactly what accessories are necessary to run the 4 wheel drive to its full capacity, and whether these are included with the purchase. What else is required - do you need a tow bar, for instance? What about a contract or service plan? It's also important to consider consumables, such as tires - some products have higher associated costs than others.
Accessories Checklist:
- Accessories - included or extra cost?
- Registration - what are the time frames and costs?
- Consumables - how often and how much?
- Contracts or Service Plans - conditions, penalties, costs
- What else will you need to get the most out of your vehicle?
Once you've worked through the Evaluation step you will have a final short-list of 4 wheel drives that meet your needs and stand out from competing products on the market. It's time then to move on to the third and final step: Purchase.
Video Links
Buyz123.com Research Links:4 Wheel Drive TiresSelect the right tires for your 4 wheel driveBuying off road tiresSide-by-Side comparison 4 Wheel DriveCompare 4WD'sSide by side comparison of new and used 4WDs