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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

You have better pictures or videos of Nissan Gtr R33 that you can contribute? Please send them to !

GT-R R35Next

Figure: GTR R35 (113KB)
08_gtr

Source

Do you think this information about Nissan Gt-R R35 is incorrect? 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

Have you seen a better description of Nissan Juke 1.6 4Wd on the web? Please send us the link to or post it in a comment below!

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 think this information about Nissan Murano Z51 is incomplete? Please send us what you know to or leave a comment below.

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.

Do you think this information about Nissan Qashqai I (2007-2013) is incomplete? Please send us what you know to or leave a comment below.

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.

Do you think this information about Nissan Pathfinder I (Terrano I, Terramax) Wd21 1985-1995 is incomplete? Please send us what you know to or leave a comment below.

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

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

Have you seen a better description of Nissan Pathfinder Ii (Terrano Ii, Infiniti Qx4) R50 1996–2004 on the web? Please send us the link to or post it in a comment below!

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 own Nissan Pathfinder Iii (Terrano Iii) R51 2005-2012? Can you please make a photo of the car's 4x4 transmission, switches, dashboard lights, etc. and send it to ?

Pathfinder IV R52 2013-...Next

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

Do you think this information about Nissan Pathfinder Iv R52 2013-... is incorrect? Please send us what you know to or leave a comment below.

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.

Do you own Nissan Pathfinder Iv Hybrid 2014-Discontinued (Except Australia And New Zealand)? Can you please make a photo of the car's 4x4 transmission, switches, dashboard lights, etc. and send it to ?

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

Do you own Nissan Patrol 160, Gr Y60 ...-1998, Y61 1998-..., Pickup 1998-...? Can you please make a photo of the car's 4x4 transmission, switches, dashboard lights, etc. and send it to ?

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

Have you seen a better description of Nissan Skyline Gt-R R33 (1995-1998 *plz Confirm*) on the web? Please send us the link to or post it in 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.

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

Xterra IITop

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

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1-15 of 24 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.

Reply to george brooks225
tit5
April 08, 2020 - 02:21

No. It is normally front wheel drive.

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..

Reply to Ola
tit5
April 08, 2020 - 02:35

Well a clutch operated AWD is in fact a part time AWD.

Also most modern AWDs need the driver to stay on the throttle and the EDL will figure out which wheel to brake in order to transfer torque to non slipping wheels. It is kinda the opposite real off-roaders (like rock crawlers) do. The risk is breaking something, especially considering the underpinnings are not as robust as in a real off-roaders.

But for mud and snow the system works rather well and it is not really meant for anything else.

Surprised you had issues on gravel, as I occasionally climb a gravel road most people claim can only be climbed by real off-roaders. Maybe the additional weight of the X-trail or perhaps the tires were a limiting factor. Go figure.

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
 
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