Rydell Honda of Grand Forks

Oct 22, 2021

The Honda Real Time All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System uses innovative technology to enhance your Honda’s traction, control, and performance. When the system detects a change in road conditions, it redirects torque to the rear axle to regain traction. Keeping you safe on changing road conditions, the Honda Real-Time AWD engages your car’s rear differential when it senses a loss of traction virtually instantaneously. This takes a front-wheel-drive vehicle and diverts torque to the rear wheels, giving you increased traction and stability. 

Do you enjoy getting a bit of mud on your tires, exploring the road less traveled, or adding a bit of adventure to your road trip? Do you prioritize safety when looking for a new vehicle? Then the Honda Real Time AWD System was made for you!

2022 Honda Odyssey interior looking over a lake in summer

What is All-Wheel Drive?

If you’ve never had an All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) vehicle, then most likely, you’re used to front-wheel-drive cars. This means the power and stability are confined to your front two wheels, limiting how your vehicle handles in variable road and weather conditions. In front-wheel-drive vehicles, the engine’s power is restricted to the front of the car. If your daily commute is sunshine and smooth roads, chances are you haven’t considered the importance of AWD.

However, even the most excellent drives can change suddenly. Changing road conditions and rainy or snowy weather can turn your predictable commute into a more scary experience. AWD engages your rear tires to provide traction, stability, and security. Especially in areas like Grand Forks, where weather patterns can change, and winter can make roads slick, AWD is essential. While some AWD systems require a great deal of input from the driver, the Honda Real Time AWD System is intelligent, reactive, and uses computer software to read the roads for you.

How Does the Honda Real Time AWD System Work?

The Honda Real Time AWD System employs an innovative Intelligent Control System to judge when differential should be engaged on the rear tires to prevent loss of traction. Intending to reduce energy and fuel consumption, this smart system only engages when needed, typically when there’s a change in road conditions or inclement weather. By engaging the rear tires, the AWD system spreads the engine’s power equally on all four tires so that the rear tires can push you forward even if the front tires slip. 

To keep you safe, here are a few times that the Honda Real Time AWD System will be engaged. The AWD System will engage on take-off if you’re on a slippery surface where traction is reduced. It disengages once the car reaches a cruising velocity, as it’s no longer required. If you go uphill and the vehicle registers change in traction, it will engage the Real-Time AWD again. 

It’s important to note that this system reacts almost instantaneously, and you may not even feel the change! Traditional AWD systems often experience a lag, and even a noticeable shift, before fully engaging. The Honda Real Time AWD System is a tremendous advancement in technology, which makes your journey smoother and safer.

Is Honda Real Time AWD the Right Choice for Me?

Honda Real-Time AWD turns your normally front-wheel-drive Honda into an all-wheel-drive vehicle, but only when it’s needed. This means your car will run as a standard front-wheel-drive vehicle otherwise and provides you with that extra level of safety, security, and reliability that Honda is known for. So, who should consider the Honda Real Time AWD System?

Living in Grand Forks, where weather patterns change regularly, such as rain, sleet, or snow, the Real-Time AWD System is essential. This is especially true as we approach winter and all the weather that comes with it. A lot of areas have rough road conditions during inclement weather, and it’s essential to keep you and your family safe on the road. If you enjoy taking side roads, getting off the highway, and exploring, this is also an essential system for you. 

Even if you drive the same road every day, commuting to and from work, having an AWD System could be a lifesaver (literally!). Real-Time AWD gives you confidence when driving your vehicle, especially in winter conditions. Weather and road quality changes can happen quickly, so we highly recommend the Honda Real Time AWD System for anyone!

Which Honda Models Can Be Equipped with Honda Real Time AWD?

So you’re thinking of getting a Honda with the Real-Time AWD System, but you don’t know where to start. Families of the Grand Forks area would undoubtedly benefit from this innovative system’s safety, security, and stability. See the list of Honda vehicles below that are compatible with the Honda Real Time AWD System (all are 2020 models). Speak to the friendly folk at Rydell Honda of Grand Forks to find out about other compatible models with Real-Time AWD.

  • CR-V in all trims.
  • HR-V in EX, EX-L, LX, and Sport trims (standard for Touring trims).
  • Passport in EX-L, Sport, and Touring trims (standard for Elite trims).
  • Pilot in EX, EX-L, LC, and Touring trims (standard for Elite and Black Edition trims).
  • Ridgeline in Sport and RTL trims (standard for RTL-E and Black Edition trims).

Are You Ready for a Honda with Real Time AWD?

The Honda Real Time AWD System combines stability with high fuel efficiency to keep you and your family safe in changing weather and road conditions. This compact and light mechanism uses computer intelligence to determine how much power to send to the rear tires. AWD is not constantly engaged when it isn’t needed. This will keep you from unnecessarily using extra fuel to move forward. 

This system is truly a game-changer for Grand Forks residents. Living in an area with variable weather conditions, especially in the winter months, makes having an AWD vehicle essential. The Honda Real Time AWD System allows you to have the safety of AWD when you need it while offering front-wheel drive and fuel economy when you don’t. Get in touch with us at Rydell Honda now to get set up with a Honda fitted with Honda’s Real Time AWD System today!