Torque on Demand

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

I think hyundai or kia is using tod on one of their suv's

I've come across this a few times myself when researching vehicles for a co-worker who was shopping. Case in point:

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffwor...ow-kia-cga.htm

.......the new sorento will again be available with rear- or four-wheel drive and come in two trim levels: lx and upscale ex. the lx 4wd system is part-time, has a low range, and isn't designed for use on dry pavement. available on ex is kia's torque-on-demand (tod) full-time 4wd system. the tod system detects wheel slip up and automatically transfers power between the rear and front wheels. tod may be used on dry pavement. for hardcore off-road junkies, a limited slip differential for the rear axle is available.

It sounds like their version of "TOD" excludes low-range; and, I just got to laugh about the statement "for hardcore off-road junkies, a limited slip differential for the rear axle is available"...

I noticed most of you hard-core off-roaders here waiting to replace your lockers with limited-slips..lol.

[mcaramb]

Just a thought to save MPG... can the TOD be disengaged from the rear tires with some sort of mechanical disengagement device on the rear drive shaft? Or would the lack of torque to the rear wheels completely screw up the transmission system?

Probably, you'd have to completely change out the transmission, drive axles, rear differential, computer system, etc...

Just wondering, as the TOD is what makes our lovely cars so gas hungry

-Mike

[blacksambo]

You are right. But, the VX is body on frame, and 3,800lbs strong. Said differently, it's a match, despite its small size, for a heavy-weight collision situation, most 2wd SUV's are not. You have to always measure fuel economy benefit versus saftey, don't you?

[mcaramb]

No argument there, but a Vehicross converted to 2WD would still be 3,800 pounds, body on frame construction, still as evenly matched in a collision, just 2WD instead of 4WD. Granted, not as tight on the road as before in wet conditions, but no less than other 2WD vehicles.

Rather than steer the conversation towards safety, I was just wondering if it would be possible to convert our cars from 4WD to 2WD. And hell, if it can be done with a simple interlock, then we could get the best of both worlds. Turn on the TOD in rainy conditions, otherwise turn it off. Like a third setting on the 4WD stick... 4x4, TOD, and 2WD.

[So-CalVX]

Just a thought to save MPG... can the TOD be disengaged from the rear tires with some sort of mechanical disengagement device on the rear drive shaft? Or would the lack of torque to the rear wheels completely screw up the transmission system?

Probably, you'd have to completely change out the transmission, drive axles, rear differential, computer system, etc...

Just wondering, as the TOD is what makes our lovely cars so gas hungry

-Mike

why would u want a front wheel drive VX???

i'm fine with my 13-15 mpg 4wd VX