Your vehicle’s four-wheel or all-wheel drive is more than just a safety feature.

When you have better traction on slippery roads and more grip on rough terrain, the world becomes a more drivable place. A sudden snow or storm doesn’t have to keep you inside. Steep mountain roads and driveways are no longer off limits.

But, with great power comes great responsibility. The extra parts and complexity required to run a 4WD and AWD system can cause mechanical and electrical issues. And, being able to drive in tougher conditions means you’ll be putting additional wear and tear on the driveshaft, suspension, and chassis.

The ASE Certified mechanics at Mountain Auto Repair in North Boulder have been working on 4WD and AWD vehicles for more than 20 years.

We service all makes and models:

• SUVs
• trucks
• Jeeps
• Subarus
• crossovers
• minivans
• and any car with 4WD or AWD

SIGNS YOUR 4WD OR AWD NEEDS SERVICE

Four-wheel drive (4WD, 4×4) and all-wheel drive (AWD) aren’t the same thing. The signs that you may need 4WD service may not be the same that show up when your AWD vehicle needs repair.

FOUR WHEEL DRIVE REPAIR

In a 4WD vehicle, the drivetrain provides torque to all four wheels. This allows the front and rear axles to operate at different speeds and helps increase traction on rough or slippery terrain.

Some vehicles are part-time 4WD–they allow you to switch back and forth between 2WD and 4WD as the road conditions dictate. Others are always 4WD. This is similar to how AWD engines operate.

Signs that your 4WD vehicle may need service include:

• 4WD system doesn’t engage properly
• vehicle shifts back and forth between 2WD and 4WD
• vehicle gets stuck in 4WD
• inaccurate or flashing indicator light
• difficulty shifting gears
• high-pitched whistle or clunking sound near the axle
• vehicle feels sluggish

Four-wheel drive vehicles are popular for off-roading because of the ‘differential lock’ option. This keeps the front and back axles rotating at the same speed, which can increase maximum grip on difficult, uneven terrain.

ALL WHEEL DRIVE REPAIR

Unlike four-wheel drive, all wheel drive vehicles keep differentials between the axles, allowing your wheels to respond appropriately to changes in road conditions. While this makes AWD cars and trucks great options for everyday driving, it can limit their effectiveness if you’re going off-roading.

Signs your AWD vehicle may need service include:

• difficulty shifting gears
• chattering or vibration when accelerating and turning
• high-pitched whistle or clunking sound near the axle
• vehicle feels sluggish

MOUNTAIN AUTO REPAIR 4WD & AWD SERVICE & REPAIR

At Mountain Auto Repair, we have experience repairing full-time 4WD, part-time 4WD, and AWD of all makes and models.

There is no one-fix-fits-all repair when it comes to 4WD and AWD systems.

Because the 4WD and AWD systems affect so much of how your vehicle operates and handles, we start each drive system service request with a full inspection. This not only ensures you get the right repair the first time (saving you money), but it can catch many problems before they become more serious, so you can make the best decision for your car and budget.

• transfer case
• differential
• drivetrain and driveshaft
• axles
• transmission
• suspension
• tire service & wheel alignment

If you’re experiencing problems with your four-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicle, call the ASE certified mechanics at Mountain Auto Repair for fast, reliable repair.

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