So the AWD in this TB when turned on is still FWD until there is slippage then the rear kicks in?
TB AWD
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AWD powers both front and rear wheels, however since the Trailblazer has open differentials you're really only getting full power to 1 front and 1 rear wheel. If you're in AWD and only getting power to the front wheels it could indicate the rear axle engagement motor is not working, but I'd think you'd get warning msg or check engine light if that were the case.
To answer your question, no the rear doesn't kick in only when needed. It's either on or off depending on what you've selected.
To answer your question, no the rear doesn't kick in only when needed. It's either on or off depending on what you've selected.
There was a dude on a TB FB page saying when in AWD mode only the front wheels do the work, once slipping is happening the rear would kick in. I thought that was wrong.
Yeah, he's definitely wrong. The Trailblazer AWD system is very basic. On the higher end models you get auto AWD, torque vectoring, limited slip diffs, etc.
So my 2021 TB AWD is not much diff or better then what is on my 2002 H-RV and I don't have to even turn that one with a button.
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i watched a video of the TB in snow that seems to indicate what this person is talking about. it showed the rear kick in after the front started to slip unless the traction control was disabled. i cant seem to find the video now, but they were demonstrating the AWD function.
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wow.. i actually found the video that i saw about this..
That's how open diffs work. With TC off power goes to the wheels with the least traction and with TC on power is still being applied the same way except TC will use individual brake calipers to force the spinning wheels to slow down so the other wheels gain traction. The Trailblazer also doesn't have the ability to change how much power goes front to rear as it's fixed 60F/40R or might be 55F/45R.
So awd with tc seems the best?
Yes, you will have the most traction in snow with TC on since it tries to limit wheel spin.
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