When should you use two- or four-wheel drive? [Video]

What’s the difference between two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive and four-wheel drive low? And, when would a driver use those different settings?

In the latest episode of TFL’s Difflock video series, Roman and Tommy Mica tested this out on their Jeep Wrangler at Gold Mine Hill in Colorado.

To demonstrate how the different systems work, Roman brought two remote-controlled cars, one a two-wheel drive car and the other a four-wheel drive car.

He lifted both remote-controlled cars, gave power to them to show the wheels spinning and then held one of the wheels to show what happens when power is cut to certain wheels.

The demonstration showed how a larger-scale vehicle like the Wrangler would perform when power is diverted to certain wheels.

For two-wheel drive, Tommy said that system is best when driving around town or on the highway. But four-wheel drive is needed during other off-road conditions.

At Gold Mine Hill, Roman took the two-wheel drive remote-controlled car and drove it up the path. The car got stuck within 2 feet of starting off.

Tommy took the life-sized Jeep, put it in two-wheel drive and drove up the hill. He noticed the vehicle’s tires were spinning and the Jeep couldn’t make it up the hill.

The next test was with four-wheel drive. Roman again used one of the a remote-controlled cars to demonstrate. The four-wheel drive toy car made it up the hill with no real problems.

What happened when Tommy tried out the Jeep in four-wheel drive on Gold Mine Hill? What happened when he switched it to four-wheel drive low? Find out by watching the complete TFL video above.