The Fundamentals of Automotive All-Wheel Drive System
This eLearning course provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts and evolution of passenger car and light truck 4x4/all-wheel drive (AWD) systems, including the nomenclature utilized to describe these systems. It covers basic power transfer unit and transfer case design parameters, component application to system function, the future of AWD systems, and emerging technologies that may enable future systems.
Based on the popular classroom course, this eight-module course includes the instructor's insights and industry experience, including answers to participant questions. To engage the learner and ensure that the objectives are met, interactions, knowledge checks, and summaries have been added. A downloadable course handbook is also included.
The course has been approved by the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (ACTAR) for 6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Upon completion of this course, accredited reconstructionists should mail a copy of their course certificate of achievement and the $5 participant CEU fee to ACTAR, PO Box 1493, North Platte, NE 69103.
What Will You Learn
By participating in this eLearning course, you'll be able to:
- Identify front wheel drive and rear wheel drive vehicle architectures
- Identify part time, full time, and eLearning all-wheel drive systems
- Explain the benefits of all-wheel drive over two-wheel drive
- Quantify all-wheel drive traction and mobility benefits
- Describe auxiliary axle disconnect systems
- Explain basic vehicle dynamics performance and the effect of AWD on performance
- Identify couplers vs. biasing devices and their basic function
- Describe the differences between mechanical and electrical implementation in AWD systems
- Describe basic control strategies and logic
- Discuss advanced propulsion concepts and systems
Course Information
Is This Course For You
This course is designed for engineers (working with passenger cars, light trucks, and SUVs) who need to master AWD componentry, and the function and effect of those components. Engineers new to the 4WD/AWD field, as well as managers, marketing personnel, purchasing professionals and others interested in all-wheel drive fundamentals will benefit from this seminar.
This course is the equivalent to Fundamentals of Automotive All-Wheel Drive Systems seminar and satisfies a requirement in the Transmission/Drivetrain Certificate Program. It is an excellent follow-up to the A Familiarization of Drivetrain Components seminar or on-demand course (which is designed for those who have limited experience with the total drivetrain).
Have colleagues who need this course? See Special Offers to the right.
Click on the Requirements tab to make sure you are properly equipped to interact with this course.
Materials Provided
- 90 days of online single-user access (from date of purchase) to the six hour presentation
- Eight video modules (see Topics/Outline tab)
- Integrated knowledge checks to reinforce key concepts
- Course handbook (downloadable, .pdf's)
- Online learning assessment (a passing score of 70% or higher is required))
- Follow-up to your content questions
- 0.6 CEUs*/Certificate of Achievement (upon completion of all course content and a score of 70% or higher on the learning assessment)
*SAE International is authorized by IACET to offer CEUs for this course.
Course Requirements
- Windows or macOS
- Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari (Other OSs and browsers including mobile devices are not supported by may work)
- Broadband-3Mbps minimum