You hear it as a selling point all the time – “This car has all-wheel drive?” to people who don’t know much about cars, this is an extra feature that will greatly benefit your vehicle. However, they don’t really know why this is beneficial or how it actually works.

The truth of the matter is not everyone needs an all-wheel-drive vehicle. While all-wheel drive may be beneficial for certain groups of people, this is not true for everyone. Before you use all-wheel-drive as your deciding factor, think of this blog!

 

Climate

The first thing to consider when deciding on whether or not you need to invest in a vehicle with all-wheel drive is what type of climate you live in. If you live in a warm climate that rarely sees snow (Florida, Arizona, etc.) then an all-wheel drive vehicle may not be right for you. However, if you live in one of the northern states and see snow for a good chunk of the year (Michigan, Minnesota) than an all-wheel-drive may be a good decision.

All-wheel drive gives your vehicle better traction control. For example, in many vehicles all-wheel drive will kick in automatically when the car feels itself not getting enough grip on a road – whether it be due to snow, ice, rain, etc.

 

Peace Of Mind

The other nice thing about all-wheel-drive is having the peace of mind knowing that your car has your back. When you lose traction, your vehicle will work to keep it in control.

This is especially good for picking a first car for a new driver, such as your son or daughter. Knowing that the vehicle has added traction control can give any parent better peace of mind. With new drivers not having the best experience in driving in slippery conditions, all-wheel drive gives them that extra bit of protection.

 

All-Wheel Drive Isn’t The Only Thing You Need

It’s important to remember that when purchasing a vehicle, all-wheel drive doesn’t automatically mean your vehicle will always have traction. When the winter hits, it’s important that you switch to snow tires to help give that added traction. It’s also important that you pay attention to your surrounding and the feel of your car in order to know how slippery a surface is. At the end of the day – you are responsible for your safety!

 

Do you need an all-wheel-drive vehicle? That is completely up to you! Take in factors such as climate, and the importance of peace of mind and decide whether a car with this feature is right for you. Happy car shopping!