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2WD Vs. 4WD Radio-Control Cars

Remote-controlled (or RC) cars come with a wide array of features and settings, and one of the more confusing of these is whether to have 2WD or 4WD. The WD in both stands for "wheel drive," and refers to the number of wheels powered by the motor. If you're considering a new R/C car, there are a few benefits and drawbacks to the two that will help you make your decision.

Radio-Controlled Cars
- An radio-controlled car is a small toy vehicle, usually a replica of an existing car, that is controlled remotely by some type of handset. This is a similar technology used to control RC airplanes or boats, but the controls needed for an RC car are generally simpler: a throttle and a turn control. The turn control changes the direction of the car when driving, and that's where the major impact of a 2WD or 4WD vehicle comes into play.
2WD
- An example of a 2WD car; note that the back wheels are fixed, the front are turning.
  
  2WD, or two-wheel drive, means that only two wheels, both on the same axle, will turn when the radio turn control is used. Most often, this is the front wheel, although some rear-wheel drive cars do exist. This is also often a different set of wheels than the ones attached to the drive axle (the axle that moves the car forward). The other axle on the vehicle is fixed and won't turn without breaking the car.
4WD
- In four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles, both axles turn. So, if the control on the radio turns to the right, the wheel at the front will turn to the right, while the rear axle will turn to the left. What happens is, with both wheels on the right side facing inward, the turning circle becomes much tighter, meaning the vehicle will handle a lot more precisely.
Repairs
- The benefits of having a 2WD R/C car are mostly ease. If you have to repair or replace a part on the vehicle, a 2WD car has far fewer moving parts, making it far easier to fix. On the other hand, a 4WD car has many more moving parts because both axles turn, and at least one of them needs to be connected to the car's drivetrain as well. So, 4WD vehicles are much more complicated. This is why 2WD cars are often recommended for beginners.
Handling
- The major benefit of 4WD cars is in handling and control. The cars can turn the same distance in a much smaller area, meaning they makes turns faster and more accurately. A 2WD car will make the same turn, but it will usually be wider and probably marginally slower. However, in racing, even a small margin can end up being an important one.

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