Does AWD Matter in Hoffman Estates? How Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC® Handles Chicago Winters

If you live in Illinois in the winter, there’s no avoiding the snow. It takes some skill to drive safely in snow, but it’s also important to have the right equipment, including a vehicle that can handle slippery roads. At Mercedes-Benz of Hoffman Estates, we have a range of vehicles with 4MATIC® all-wheel drive (AWD) — exactly what you need to handle any type of road condition.

Is 4MATIC® the Same as Four-Wheel Drive?

4MATIC® is a type of all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive uses the engine to continuously send power to all four wheels, providing the vehicle with more traction than a vehicle with only front-wheel drive (FWD) or rear-wheel drive (RWD).

Even though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, AWD and four-wheel drive (4WD) are different. AWD operates without any direction from you. Meanwhile, 4WD is usually used for off-road driving and is temporary, as you have to physically shift in and out of 4WD when needed.

There are two different types of all-wheel drive. Full-time AWD systems send power and torque to all four wheels all the time. There are sensors that monitor traction to make sure that each of the wheels gets the right amount of power to maximize traction.

Part-time AWD switches between FWD and RWD. The sensors still monitor the road conditions, but instead of sending the power to all four wheels, it switches between the front and rear wheels depending on where traction is needed.

How AWD Is Different From 4WD

There are a few differences between AWD and 4WD. When you manually shift a vehicle into 4WD, it locks the front and rear driveshafts together, which keeps them both turning at the same speed. Since they turn together, it guarantees that torque is always sent to at least one wheel in the front and one wheel in the back. It doesn’t use computers to determine if there is any wheelslip, which leads to more power going to the ground when conditions are slippery.

Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC® — A Closer Look

Mercedes-Benz’s AWD system is called 4MATIC®. It’s designed to provide you with better traction and better handling over all types of road conditions. The system is integrated into the vehicle, so there’s no need to make any adjustments. It uses sensors to determine which wheels need extra traction to maximize handling and performance.

4MATIC® Variable AWD

The variable 4MATIC® system often defaults to either FWD or RWD, but if the road conditions become slippery, the system will switch to AWD. Many of Mercedes-Benz’s smaller vehicles use this system, including the GLA-Class, CLA-Class, and C-Class sedans.

4MATIC® Permanent AWD

The permanent version of the AWD system is just what it sounds like. Power is always evenly split between the front and rear wheels. Since power is always sent to all four wheels, it helps provide better grip at all times. It’s also a good system if you use your Mercedes-Benz for some off-road driving. This system is available for higher-end models such as the GLE-Class.

4MATIC® AWD

The 4MATIC® AWD system is more flexible than the previous two versions because it can adjust the amount of torque that goes to the front and rear wheels. It can be split evenly, or it can send more to the front than the rear, depending on what’s needed. This system is available for the G-Class and the E-Class All-Terrain.

4MATIC®+ AWD

4MATIC®+ is the system Mercedes-Benz uses with its AMG® performance vehicles. It works like the other 4MATIC® AWD, but it can send 100% of the power to the front or rear, or it can split it between the two. This system also adds some extra features, such as a drift mode for the track.

Handling Chicago Winters: Why AWD Matters

AWD is important if you have to brave Chicago’s snowy winters. It provides the extra grip you need to stay in control of the vehicle when you come upon slippery roads. The system can act fast to give you extra grip on the road, minimizing the possibility of an accident.

AWD is better than FWD or RWD when it comes to handling slippery surfaces and when you need extra traction to get going. Heading up a snowy hill in Chicago will be much easier if you have all four wheels working together. Another perk is that it automatically sends power to the wheels that have the most traction. This helps prevent wheel spin and makes it easier to accelerate when you’re on snow or ice.

Even and effective distribution of power also helps keep your vehicle more stable, which leads to more control. If you have control over your vehicle, it reduces the risk of skidding, which can lead to a complete loss of control.

Test-Drive a New Mercedes-Benz With 4MATIC® Today

At Mercedes-Benz of Hoffman Estates, we have a full lineup of vehicles equipped with 4MATIC® AWD. There’s no better time to get your well-equipped SUV or sedan than before winter hits.

Stop by our dealership or contact us online to find out more about what vehicles we have with 4MATIC®. We can answer any questions you have about how it works, why it’s better for driving in Chicago winters, and how you can get behind the wheel. Stop by and see us today.