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All Wheel Drive: all wheel drive explained, differential, electronic differential lock (EDL), haldex, jeep 4wd systems, low range, proactive AWD, quattro evolutions, safety concerns, terrain response system, testdrive, Torque-vectoring AWD, torque split ratio, torsen, viscous coupling

Brands: 4motion, quattro, super select, xDrive

Videos: Diagonal spin test, electronic differential lock test, quattro vs. xdrive test, Viscous Coupling Test

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Recent changes

GTR R33Next

Figure: (625KB)
nissan-skyline-gt-r-r33-transsmision

Have you seen a better description of Nissan Gtr R33 on the web? Please send us the link to or post it in a comment below!

GT-R R35Next

Figure: GTR R35 (113KB)
08_gtr

Source

Do you think this information about Nissan Gt-R R35 is incomplete? Please send us what you know to or leave a comment below.

Juke 1.6 4WDNext

Torque-Vectoring system. Data provided by different sensors (which monitor wheel speed, steering angle,throttle position, yaw rate) are analized by the 4WD controller, which is able to understand how to split the torque between four wheels.

There isn't a central differential, torque is sent to the rear axle using a shaft linked to front differential. The rear differential is replaced by two clutches which (if necessary) split the torque sent to the rear axle between the two wheels.

Torque-Vectoring system automatically adds torque to the outside rear wheel in corners to make the car turn quicker.

Figure: (77KB)
2010_nissan_juke_det_fe_8231215_600

You have better pictures or videos of Nissan Juke 1.6 4Wd that you can contribute? Please send them to !

Murano Z51Next

Nissan All-Mode 4x4 system - very similar to Xtrail.

Normally AUTO mode what can be switched to Locked mode. During Auto mode front wheel drive vehicle where rear axle engages when front wheels start to slip, power is variably distributed from 100:0 to 50:50 front to rear.

In LOCK mode the transfer clutch is permanently locked - power distribution 50:50. If vehicle speed increases, the vehicle automatically goes to AUTO mode, then, when speed decreases, it switches back to LOCK. When transfer clutch oil is overheated, the vehicle goes into 2WD mode.

Has electric clutch to connect rear axle. Single wheel spinning on axles is controlled via wheel brakes - known as electronic limited slip differential.

Figure: (59KB)
Murano_rear_axle

Do you own Nissan Murano Z51? Can you please make a photo of the car's 4x4 transmission, switches, dashboard lights, etc. and send it to ?

Qashqai I (2007-2013)Next

Same as X-Trail I

The Mk 1 has a multi-plate clutch that can send up to 50% torque to the rear axle and may be activated at any time. Features a "central differential lock", meaning 50% of torque is permanently sent to the rear axle (actually up to 40km/h, provided the oil in the multiplate clutch is not overheated in which case it switches back to 2WD mode).

The 4WD system also features a ELD - electronic limited slip differential on both front and rear axles. It does not actual lock anything, but uses brakes on free spinning wheels to emulate a limited slip differential. Works OK in snow and mud, but can not be compared to true lockers.

On the subject of true LSDs and lockers, the Qashqai can not be equipped with any aftermaket front or rear differentials, at least not officially, although it must be said the Dacia Duster features the same drive train as the Qashqai, and can be equipped with true LSDs and aftermarket torsen differentials.

You have better pictures or videos of Nissan Qashqai I (2007-2013) that you can contribute? Please send them to !

Pathfinder I (Terrano I, Terramax) WD21 1985-1995Next

WD21 Pathfinders were available in both 2WD and manually engaged 4WD (Part-time all wheel drive) configurations. LSD rear - optional, 2,02:1 low gear.

Have you seen a better description of Nissan Pathfinder I (Terrano I, Terramax) Wd21 1985-1995 in a paper magazine? Can you please scan it or take a photo and send it to ?

Pathfinder II (Terrano II, Infiniti QX4) R50 1996–2004Next

Part-time all wheel drive. LSD rear - optional, 2,02:1 low gear.

Do you own Nissan Pathfinder Ii (Terrano Ii, Infiniti Qx4) R50 1996–2004? Can you please make a photo of the car's 4x4 transmission, switches, dashboard lights, etc. and send it to ?

Pathfinder III (Terrano III) R51 2005-2012Next

All Mode selectable all wheel drive system - normally rear wheel drive, in AUTO mode front axle engages when rear wheels start to slip, power is variably distributed from 0:100 to 50:50 front to rear. In AUTO mode the system works as an automatic all wheel drive system. In 2WD mode, the clutch is unlocked permanently. In 4H mode the tranfer clutch is permanently locked - power distribution 50:50.

Figure: All Mode all wheel drive system modes and scheme. (61KB)
nissan-pathfinder-I

Do you think this information about Nissan Pathfinder Iii (Terrano Iii) R51 2005-2012 is incomplete? Please send us what you know to or leave a comment below.

Pathfinder IV R52 2013-...Next

Seems to be like an X-Trail normally front wheel drive vehicle(?).

You have better pictures or videos of Nissan Pathfinder Iv R52 2013-... that you can contribute? Please send them to !

Pathfinder IV Hybrid 2014-discontinued (except Australia and New Zealand)Next

Pathfinder Hybrid available in 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive configurations, uses a gasoline engine and an electric motor paired to a compact lithium-ion battery. The Pathfinder Hybrid also have hybrid emblems and hybrid LED taillights versus the non-hybrid model. The hybrid system uses a Nissan Intelligent Dual Clutch System (one motor / two clutch parallel system) that manages power from both the electric motor and the gas engine. The 15 kW (20 hp) electric motor and gas engine work in tandem to provide performance similar to the non-hybrid Pathfinder's 3.5-liter gasoline V6.

Have you seen a better description of Nissan Pathfinder Iv Hybrid 2014-Discontinued (Except Australia And New Zealand) on the web? Please send us the link to or post it in a comment below!

Patrol 160, GR Y60 ...-1998, Y61 1998-..., PickUp 1998-...Next

Part-time all wheel drive. LSD rear - standard, Locking differential - optional. 2,02:1 low gear.

Figure: Nissan Patrol GR transfer case (115KB)
nissan-patrol

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Qashqai II (2013-...)Next

Do you think this information about Nissan Qashqai Ii (2013-...) is incorrect? Please send us what you know to or leave a comment below.

Skyline GT-R R33 (1995-1998 *plz Confirm*)Next

Mechanical rear wheel drive with a clutch to transfer power to the front differential. Torque-vectoring rear differential.

"The clever electronic control system is fed by all the information ... such as G-force, boost pressure, throttle position etc, in addition, the speed of individual wheels measured by ABS wheel speed sensors. By these information, the computer knows whether the car is running out of cornering limit or not. If not yet, the multi-plate clutches won't intervene, thus the car can power slide through the corner smoothly. In case out of limit, the multi-plate clutch will engage and send torque to front wheels, increasing traction."

http://www.autozine.org/technical_school/traction/tech_traction_4wd_21.htm#Skyline

Do you think this information about Nissan Skyline Gt-R R33 (1995-1998 *plz Confirm*) is incorrect? Please send us what you know to or leave a comment below.

X-TrailNext

All Mode selectable all wheel drive system - normally front wheel drive vehicle, in AUTO mode rear axle engages when front wheels start to slip, power is variably distributed from 100:0 to 50:50 front to rear. In AUTO mode the system works as an automatic all wheel drive system.

In 2WD mode, the clutch is unlocked permanently. However, even when in 2WD mode, rear wheels can sometimes be engaged by electronic control unit, for example under heavy acceleration.

In LOCK mode the tranfer clutch is permanently locked - power distribution 50:50. If vehicle speed increases, the vehicle automatically goes to AUTO mode, then, when speed decreases, it switches back to LOCK. When transfer clutch oil is overheated, the vehicle goes into 2WD mode.

Figure: Nissan X-Trail All Mode 4wd system description (134KB)
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Figure: (121KB)
nissan-x-trail_x

Figure: (196KB)
nissan-x-trail_xx

Figure: (34KB)
nissan-qashqai-xtrail-4wd-clutch

Figure: (97KB)
nissan-qashqai-xtrail-rear-differential

Figure: (124KB)
nissan-qashqai-xtrail-rear-differential_x

Figure: (6KB)
nissan-x-trail-t31-coupling-tension-graph

Figure: (150KB)
nissan-qashqai-i-owners-manual

Figure: (147KB)
nissan-qashqai-i-owners-manual_x

Figure: (39KB)
nissan-qashqai-i-rear-differential

Figure: (66KB)
nissan-qashqai-i-system-diagram

Nissan Qashqai/Xtrail service manual (.pdf 172KB)

Have you seen a better description of Nissan X-Trail on the web? Please send us the link to or post it in a comment below!

Xterra INext

Part-time all wheel drive.

Do you think this information about Nissan Xterra I is incomplete? Please send us what you know to or leave a comment below.

Xterra IITop

Part-time all wheel drive. Rear diff lock in Pro-X4 models.

Have you seen a better description of Nissan Xterra Ii in a paper magazine? Can you please scan it or take a photo and send it to ?
1-15 of 21 Comments
nameless
January 26, 2019 - 02:36

Qashqai Mk 1 also has EDL - "electronic differential lock" on front and rear axis. Uses brakes to emulate a limited slip differential. No actual locker can be had ofr the Qashqai, although the Daci Duster ones will probably fit as it has the same drive train.

george brooks225
July 21, 2016 - 02:17

can i pull the fuse for the all wheel drive an use just the rear wheel.

Dean
March 31, 2016 - 17:55

Hey what about one of the most capably vehicles from the show rooms floor. The Nissan Xterra... Are they not sold in your part of the world?

Ivan smith
February 04, 2016 - 12:07

I have AMurano V6 and I have recently got this, badly stuck in mud I landed up having both front and rear wheels on the left spinning and no drive whatsoever went to the other side I feel that there's something very wrong with the four-wheel-drive system please can you help I live in Kenya and the roads are very bad out here please reply

Ahto
August 06, 2015 - 10:05

I installed an amp meter between the 4wd controller and the clutch solenoid.
Here is a video, how it works in Auto in city driving www.youtube.com

The system is proactive in Auto, as you can see in the video. and in the 2WD the clutch engages when the acc pedal is over 50% and the calculated engine load is over 75% the prevent wheel spin.
I have tried take off on gravel in Auto, like at 2500rpm, it automaticly locks to 75% and when wheel spin is detected, then it goes to 100%.
It may not be as hitech as the haldex, but it is simpler and more reliable

Jeffrey
July 31, 2015 - 16:22

Anyone have any information about the Nissan Terrano, I have searched a lot online and have not been able to figure out if the 1996 R3mR is full time or part time AWD, there is one model with an electronic switch that looks like full time but there is also one with a separate gear shifter for the 4WD system that I think may only be part time.

abheya
May 13, 2015 - 02:02

Hi awdwiki,
How can I make my X-Trail (2003) Ti a better 4wd than now, what are the upgrades and costs involved (love this car, had it for 7+ yrs, no trble at all).
Thanks awdwiki learned a lot from u guys.

Ola
August 12, 2014 - 13:36

Test drove an 07 X-Trail (T31) the other day.. have to say i was not impressed by the 4x4. The problem for me is that i have a steep private gravel road with 3 sharp corners up to my house. Since the X-trail has no differential the 4wd generates a lot of wheelspin in the corners.. also tried a Skoda Yeti and Octavia (Haldex 4 and 5) up the same road with no wheelspin or problems whatsoever driving up..

Also note that here:
en.wikipedia.org

Nissans all-mode 4wd system is listed under "part-time" awd and not multiplate clutch like someone said bellow..

vuli
February 25, 2013 - 20:56

Is on Xtrail and QashQai haldex or torsen or something else?

Reply to vuli
awdwiki.com
February 25, 2013 - 23:51

A multiplate clutch, similar to Haldex, but on Xtrail 4x2 and 4x4 modes can be forced by using a button.

Reply to vuli
awdwiki.com
February 25, 2013 - 23:56

A multiplate clutch, similar to Haldex, but 4x2 and 4x4 modes can be forced by using a rotating knob.

Darren
February 04, 2013 - 14:55

I have a nissan x trail and to be honist i think its a joke as a 4x4. The the snow that has just come and gone i struggled big time in this. The thing is i got the car stuck up my drive and put the car into 4x4 lock mode, this did nothing the 4x4 system does not seem to be working can someone send me an email with help as what to do or am i doing something wrong?.

Regards Darren.

Reply to Darren
Rxsteve
July 20, 2013 - 10:31

Hi, I think it really depends on tires too, no matter how good any system is if you run summer tires or worn tires you still won't grip, personally I have always used general grabbers, road(uhp) and now all terrains, makes a world of difference to the vehicle

Reply to Darren
Snowyfox
April 26, 2014 - 23:41

I have an X-Trail and have driven many off road vehicles, and the X-Trail is very capable, it's only down fall perhaps is ground clearance.
Use AWD mode in snow, leave Lock alone, the system will take care of it. Ice is every cars enemy do not forget. Snow driving is about putting down as little power as possible, like driving on eggs - you put down to much power and you get scrambled. So no jabbing the gas pedal, and sharp steering.
Snow recently formed is fine, it when it becomes compressed or ice your problems may start. If you do not have chains, first look at those tyres, lower the pressure by a say four pounds, it may be enough. It gives you better footprint, better grip.
M+S tyres or All terrain tyres would be help, we drove most of the winter in 6" with out issue on cheap M+S tyres at stock pressure.

paul
September 24, 2012 - 13:09

hi there just wanting to no is it safe to drive nissan x trail in ,4 wd Auto all the time on the roads thank you
 
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