4Drive is a permanent four-wheel drive system , which was developed for Seat vehicles. It even prevents minimal wheel slip in difficult road conditions. The system increases vehicle stability and ensures reliable traction. It was used on the Ateca, Alhambra, Altea and Leon models.
How the 4Drive system works
The system works with the data from the ABS and ESP sensors on wheel speed, lateral and longitudinal acceleration and the yaw rate. It also interacts with the engine control unit and the gearbox. Depending on the data received, the driving mode is immediately adapted to the road conditions.
The torque is transmitted to a 5th generation Haldex coupling via a cardan shaft. It acts as a center differential and distributes the power to both axles. The axle with better traction gets more torque.
The disadvantages of 4Drive
- The friction clutch can overheat and fail as a result ;
- The clutch bearings wear out quickly;
- High maintenance costs of the system;
- The transmission oil must be replaced frequently;
- The control unit of the system may fail prematurely due to corrosion.