this post was submitted on 11 Apr 2026
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No Stupid Questions
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There is no such thing as a Stupid Question!
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No, but in fact you're on the right track to a deeper understanding of the nature of powertrains. AWD vehicles have a differential gear between the front and rear axles, allowing them to rotate at different rates - this is as opposed to 4WD vehicles, which do not have a center differential and have the front and rear axles locked together (when 4WD is engaged).
Being locked together is better for off-road conditions, but on hard surfaces while turning, having the front and rear axles locked together means the tires will scrub - since the front and rear wheels inscribe a different turning radius, they want to turn at different speeds, but if they're stuck rotating at the same speed, a given wheel's rotational speed doesn't match the speed at which it's moving over the road, and the wheel drags/scrubs. This does harm the turning radius a bit, but more importantly driving around like that damages the tires and powertrain.
Thus, you were on the right track. Namaste.