Many people are not aware of their car’s drivetrain. While it’s easy to read the owner’s manual to figure out whether you have front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive, it’s also important to know what distinguishes front-wheel drive from rear-wheel drive on your vehicle. Basic knowledge of your drivetrain is crucial, especially if a problem arises. Luckily, our Volkswagen service center near Phoenix keeps a knowledgeable staff of technicians who are familiar with a variety of different operating systems.
Determining Your Car’s Drivetrain Near Phoenix
Whether you are purchasing parts for your vehicle, need to have your car towed, or perform car maintenance yourself, you will likely need to know whether your car is front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive. You can start by identifying the type of car you have; generally, if you drive a family car, a sedan, a compact car, or a minivan, it’s likely front-wheel drive, whereas muscle cars and SUVs tend to have a rear-wheel drive operation. You can also check your engine’s orientation, where the belts on the front of the engine will not point to the front if it is rear-wheel drive, and the belts will not point to the side of the car if it is front-wheel drive.
Another way to check if your car is front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive is by looking at the axles, the devices that transfer power to the wheels. If there is a cylindrical metal shaft that runs towards the center of the front wheel knuckle, your front wheels are a part of your drivetrain. If you also find a rear differential in between the back wheels, your car has a rear-wheel drive design. If your car has both front and rear wheel axles, it offers a four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive design. If you’re in the Phoenix area, we invite you to schedule Volkswagen service with our helpful staff to learn more about your operating system.
You can also look up your car’s VIN number online through sites like CarFax and look for abbreviations like FWD for front-wheel drive or RWD for rear-wheel drive. If you have more questions about determining your car’s drivetrain, contact us at Lunde’s Peoria Volkswagen.
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