In the SUV market, Renault Duster is far from the last position. Renault Duster 4x4 makes it easy to overcome off-road, freeing the driver from thinking that the car can get stuck at the slightest exit from the road. How is the all-wheel drive system on this car arranged and what are its features? This article will answer these questions in detail.
Principle of operation
The scheme of the all-wheel drive system on the Renault Duster includes a transmission, a transfer case, an automatic electromagnetic clutch and a rear differential. How do they interact with each other? Let's figure it out.
Is permanent or plug-in all-wheel drive installed on Renault Duster? The answer to this question is ambiguous. In our case, the transfer case is built into the transmission, and the differential is controlled in automatic mode using the clutch microcontroller.
On this car, control is carried out using an electronic selector, which is located on the center console. It includes only three modes: monodrive, automatic and clutch lock.
When switching to monodrive mode, clutch control is completely disabled. By the way, this is why fuel consumption is significantly reduced: the generator does not need to supply electronics and automatic rear gear and its mechanisms.
In auto mode, the automatic clutch is activated, which this time is controlled not from the driver's side, but with the help of wheel slip sensors, which are located in the Renault Duster ECU. This means that when the front wheels begin to spin, the torque will instantly begin to be transferred to the rear axle and turn it off at the right moment. The manufacturer recommends using the automatic mode in icy conditions, as it greatly increases safety when driving.
In the lock mode of the friction clutch-machine, its operation is performed continuously. Thus, all sensors that may affect its operation are turned off, and the cardan shaft is rigidly connected to the gearbox and ensures its rotation.
In this mode, the manufacturer recommends not to exceed the speed of 80 km/h and not to use it for an excessively long time. Based on the feedback and experience of the owners, with long-term use of the lock mode, the clutch may overheat and fail.
What are the owners saying?
On the topic of the operation of all-wheel drive systems on Renault Duster, there are many reviews of the owners of this car on the network. This allows us to draw certain conclusions about the operation of these versions of Duster.
Most often, the reviews are quite positive: “I bought my car in 2014, during which time I have already rolled 58,000 kilometers. Often you have to go hunting, fishing, to the country house and to other corners where the previous passenger car was categorically lacking. I can say one thing: the machine performs its functions with a bang! Not that everything works perfectly, but what this cross provides is more than enough. There have been no breakdowns yet, but they say that blocking should not be neglected - it can fly.
However, there are many skeptics, whose reviews position all-wheel drive versions as not the best option for purchase: “All-wheel drive absolutely does not suit me. First of all, the clutch broke at 60,000 runs! Thank God that the car was under warranty: the dealer promptly replaced the oil pump and brushes of its engine - otherwise it would have cost a pretty penny. In addition, gas consumption is three liters higher than that of a friend with front-wheel drive and exactly the same engine: I think the point is precisely how the clutch works. After reading the reviews, I found out that this is normal. I'm thinking of selling and getting a front-wheel drive version."
Summing up
Based on the numerous reviews of the owners, Renault Duster 4x4 provides many opportunities that are not available to the owner of the "SUV". Knowing the principle and modes of operation of the clutch version of the car with an all-wheel drive system, you can achieve comfortable off-road driving and at the same time dynamic trips in urban traffic jams and highways, without worrying about high fuel consumption and the need for frequent transmission repairs.
With the entry into the domestic car market, Renault Duster has gained very wide popularity. This is due to the fact that for relatively low money, the consumer receives a high-quality crossover with all-wheel drive. For many motorists, the 4x4 function is a must, as they have to drive off-road quite often. This is especially true of farm and forest lands. But, what is the principle of all-wheel drive on Renault Duster?
Turning on all-wheel drive
First, consider not the technical side of the issue, but the functional one. Since modern automotive trends tend to reduce fuel consumption, cars are often equipped with switches from all-wheel drive to conventional.
Renault Duster has not lost this useful functionality either. So, in the passenger compartment there is a washer-switch, which allows you to turn on different modes. Let's consider the question in more detail:
- Lock function. This is just all-wheel drive. It blocks the distribution clutch and there is a forced load on all axles of the car. When using the Lock mode, it is not recommended to drive faster than 70-80 km / h, so as not to cause damage to the locking clutch.
- 2WD function. The name itself speaks for itself. In this mode, only the front-wheel drive is engaged, and it is optimal for driving on the highway.
- Electric clutch button in 2WD mode
- Electric clutch button in "AUTO" mode
Thus, it is clear that both the control unit and the driver himself can choose which mode to drive.
The principle of operation of all-wheel drive on Renault Duster
If we talk about the principle of rear-wheel drive, you need to understand some of the technical and design features of Renault Duster. In the case of front-wheel drive, all the torques go through the cv joints to the front wheels. How does the rear work?
In this case, a transfer case is installed on the car, which redirects torque to the rear wheels. The system was invented quite a long time ago, back in the distant 50s, but the principle has remained to this day, although these devices are being improved all the time.
Classic plug-in all-wheel drive scheme
A clutch is installed in the Renault Duster rear gearbox, and if it is blocked, the rear drive does not work. It can be turned on either by the driver or by the ECU. Let's consider everything more simply and clearly: the engine supplies torque to the gearbox, and from there it gets to the junction box.
Through the cardan shaft, it enters the rear gearbox, in which there is a clutch-regulator for turning on the rear drive. If it is on, then all-wheel drive works, if it is off, then only the front. The rear gearbox has its own oil that needs to be replaced.
Let us remind you once again that it is not worth forcing the use of a clutch-switch for a long time, since it can fail under a power load. Therefore, the AUTO mode is considered the most optimal to use.
Where necessary, it is worth turning on the manual mode for a short time, and when it becomes unnecessary, switch back to the AUTO mode.
The all-wheel drive device turned out to be simple and understandable. Of course, if the clutch fails, you will have to replace the entire assembly, which is expensive, so you should follow the rules for using the 4x4 mode.
Watch an interesting video on this topic:
The owners of the Renault Duster car, as well as those who are just thinking about purchasing this model, are wondering how the all-wheel drive of the crossover works. Before considering this topic, it is worth focusing on the fact that Renault Duster is available with both all-wheel drive and monodrive. The all-wheel drive design of this model is identical to the Nissan Qashqai and X-trail models.
In idle driving mode, the Duster operates on front-wheel drive, however, during the slipping of the front axle, half of the torque can be transferred to the rear axle through an electromagnetic clutch. If necessary, forced blocking of the electromagnetic clutch is possible.
Principles of operation of the Renault Duster front transmission
Renault Duster has a fairly simple drive scheme. When transmitting torque to the gearbox, it is distributed by means of shafts between the front wheels. The design of the shafts includes hinges of the same angular velocity. Simply put, on the outside there are ordinary cv joints.
The design of the internal "grenades" is different: there are tripods inside. This structure ensures the movement of the axes with a certain clearance. The scheme of operation and the device of the front-wheel drive Renault Duster is no different from the principle of operation of any front-wheel drive model of a car with a transverse engine. Largely due to the simple design, this budget car is so popular.
Renault Duster all-wheel drive device
The design of the all-wheel drive installed on the Renault Duster is more complex. In the gearbox of the car there is a compact transfer case, which transmits torque to the rear gearbox using a cardan shaft. This action is carried out continuously. The front of the gearbox is equipped with an electromagnetic clutch. This structural element performs another transmission of torque to the gearbox. The gearbox transmits torque along the axles with CV joints to the rear wheels.
If the torque is not transmitted further by the electromagnetic clutch, the propeller shaft will simply rotate idly. This Renault Duster transmission structure makes driving easy and effortless. The drive mode is controlled by a switch located in the cabin, which makes it easy to turn a front-wheel drive crossover into an all-wheel drive SUV. Switching can also be done automatically.
Operating modes of the all-wheel drive Renault Duster
Renault Duster is a model that provides a choice of one of three driving modes:
The 2WD mode distributes drive to the front axle only. With good road surfaces, it reduces fuel consumption.
Auto mode is responsible for the automatic connection of all-wheel drive. In this case, the movement of the car is carried out on the front-wheel drive, and the rear-wheel drive is connected during sharp acceleration or wheel slip. In this case, the clutch is blocked and the torque is distributed equally between the rear and front axles.
Lock mode is a four-wheel drive mode. The clutch is blocked by the driver and the drive is sent to all wheels. This changes the way the fuel injection system and ABS work. "Antibux" is disabled, allowing the car to cope with steep descents and marshy ground. When the wheels lock up, the machine rakes the ground in front of it, reducing the speed of descent. The fuel system works so that in idle or first gear, the Duster can overcome a steep hill.
Renault Duster 4x4
How the Renault Duster drive works, what modes of operation does the all-wheel drive box of this crossover have? Let's try to answer all these questions at the moment.
Renault Duster drive scheme quite unpretentious. The torque is transmitted to the box, and from there it is distributed between the front wheels by means of shafts, at the ends of which there are hinges of equal angular velocities. More precisely, on the outer ones there are ordinary CV joints, and on the inner grenades the design is a little different, there are tripods inside. This allows the axles to move with some clearance. If front-wheel drive Renault Duster is understandable, its operation scheme is not sufficiently different from the mechanisms of operation of any front-wheel drive car with a transverse engine. Simplicity of design is a huge plus for such an economical car.
And here four-wheel drive for Renault Duster 4x4 arranged a little more difficult. The gearbox contains within itself a small-sized transfer case (indicated by an arrow in the photo), from where the torque is transmitted to the rear gearbox in a constant mode by means of a cardan shaft. But in the front of the gearbox there is an electric clutch (the location of the clutch is also indicated by an arrow), which transmits torque further, or does not transmit it, in other words, the cardan shaft simply spins at idle. And already from the gearbox along the same axes with CV joints at the ends, the torque is transmitted to the rear wheels. We look at the photo of the back of the Renault Duster 4x4 box.
Renault Duster 2L 4WD ch2 — test drive with Alexander Michelson
Running properties. Four-wheel drive. Options. Full test. Part 2.
Renault Duster 2.0 4WD. Diary. Entry 2. Why is the crossover full drive unit.
Such Renault Duster transmission design allows you to operate the drive easily and naturally. To control the operating modes of the drive in the cabin of the crossover there is a switch washer, here it is in the photo. With one easy movement, you can turn a front-wheel drive crossover into an all-wheel drive SUV or entrust everything to automation.
- In Lock mode, the electromagnetic clutch is activated and the torque goes through the gearbox to the rear wheels.
- In 2WD mode, the Duster's front wheels become driving, the driveshaft, which should transmit torque to the rear gearbox, rotates at idle.
- In Auto mode, the crossover itself determines when it should connect rear-wheel drive. Typically, the electromagnetic clutch is activated when the front drive wheels slip.
It is worth noting that the most dynamic and at the same time economical is 2WD, with partial or full use of all 4 wheels, fuel consumption increases. And in the mode of complete blocking of the electromagnetic clutch Lock, the speed of the crossover should not exceed 80 km / h. Off-road 4x4 operation can overheat the clutch, resulting in transmission failure. That's how it works full drive Renault Duster.
When it comes to a crossover (a fashionable topic!), They certainly say that it must be not only universal and with a large (against the background of ordinary cars) ground clearance, but also all-wheel drive. Even if the car is the most urban, and its owner never leaves the asphalt. Monodrive versions are usually supplied only in the most inexpensive trim levels, and they are rarely kept in press parks. Maybe in vain? Indeed, if we discard the indisputable “pros” of the four driving wheels - cross-country ability (mainly on loose snow) and acceleration capabilities (in the same conditions), what else can be written down as advantages? Moreover, perhaps on asphalt, the difference in mass and friction losses will make it possible to drive more economically? Or maybe safer?
ENTERTAINING MATH
We took the Mazda CX-5 and the Renault Duster, the hottest new items in the class. The all-wheel drive "Duster" even has a different rear suspension than its mono-drive counterpart - independent. Gearboxes for cars with a 2 liter engine are also tied to the number of drive wheels: the automatic (and only it) is in the 4 × 2 version, while the 4 × 4 comes exclusively with six-speed mechanics. In the Mazda CX-5, on the contrary, the type of drive has almost no effect on everything else. Even at the level of equipment - thanks to the option packages for the Touring and Sport trim levels. The biggest differences are in tires and wheels. The 4×4 car is shod with 19-inch tires, the 4×2 modification is content with 17-inch tires.
Let's start measuring. Having driven the cars onto the scales, we find out: the four-wheel drive adds 70 kg to the Duster, and more than a hundred to the Mazda. Although against the background of a total curb weight of 1400–1500 kg, this is a trifle. There is not a big difference in geometric cross-country ability, the front-wheel drive "Duster" has the latter even a little better.
Of the two Renaults, the all-wheel drive accelerates faster, but this is mainly the merit of the mechanical box. With "Mazda" the situation is more interesting. The monodrive is more assertive in acceleration, which is felt even without measuring equipment. The front-wheel drive has only a small loss in maximum speed, but it is due to the selection of gear ratios and the large wheels of the 4x4 version. Both cars reached top speed in fourth gear, but the 4×2 on 17-inch tires hit the rev limiter earlier, unwilling to accelerate in the next, fifth gear.
By the way, the braking distance of both purely front-wheel drive cars turned out to be noticeably shorter.
SENSE OF DIFFERENCE
Well, how can you not remember the stereotypes regarding handling! At the rearrangement (imitation of an obstacle bypass), it turns out that the Duster 2WD is faster and, most importantly, easier to manage. He, unlike 4 × 4, does not at all seek to perform the maneuver abruptly. On the contrary: at first, the monodrive surprises with large rolls and too calm reactions to turning the steering wheel. The all-wheel drive with its more active - independent rear suspension behaves more assertively, and at times even skittishly, as if urging the driver to respond. Such a car rides very confidently, especially considering the lack of a stabilization system. However, it is easy to make a mistake on it, and in the limit, the skidding of the rear axle will make it slip out of the corridor. Renault, on the other hand, with front-wheel drive, demands from the heart to turn the steering wheel in the fight against delays and understeer, but, unlike its fellow, it goes softer into the slide.
Both Mazdas have a sensitive stabilization system that intervenes in the control process quite early. But the front-wheel drive is again clearer. So here again, the advantage in rearrangement speed is behind front-wheel drive and 17-inch wheels.
Public roads helped to finally prioritize. They showed the best comfort of the mono-drive Mazda and its more correct cornering behavior. All-wheel drive on 19-inch tires does not like bumps at all: vertical buildup and even slight yaws appear. This is not critical, but how much more comfortable and easier is a front-wheel drive car. Moreover, such a crossover obeys the gas pedal much better. No thoughtfulness, languid pauses, even when the machine switches to higher gears. The 4 × 4 version often sins with failures, especially when you sharply press the accelerator.
What about "dusters"? Here, a front-wheel drive car also turned out to be more comfortable. And even more noticeable than in the case of the Mazda. Both "Renaults" perfectly fight against the unevenness of the roadway, this family dignity cannot be taken away from them. But if the all-wheel drive Renault still makes you feel the depth and size of the potholes, sometimes quite sharply, then under the wheels of a front-wheel drive car, most of them seem to dissolve, causing only slight body swaying. The most interesting thing is that the wheels on the "Dusters" are the same, the differences are rooted precisely in the suspensions.
FACTS AND ARGUMENTS
So, is all-wheel drive on asphalt an unnecessary appendage? It is not necessary to draw unambiguous conclusions. It's about something else: what should be prioritized when choosing a car? In Russia, crossovers are legitimately popular: a universal body, high ground clearance and suspension capabilities are better. In a word, their demand is not only a tribute to fashion. Therefore, it is so important to separate the “necessary” from the “not very”. Our test is an attempt to figure it out. It is especially worth considering for those who, changing an ordinary car for an SUV, still do not plan to change the asphalt.
Do not forget about the increased fuel consumption of all-wheel drive versions, all other things being equal. In addition, expensive equipment is often imposed in addition to all-wheel drive: let's remember at least 19-inch Mazda CX-5 tires. I suspect that this crossover was finished on tires of a much more modest dimension. "But it's beautiful!" - marketers will object. And they will be right in their own way.
The front-wheel drive "Duster" demonstrates excellent ground clearance, excellent ride, reliable behavior on the road, and its trunk is as much as 70 liters larger than its all-wheel drive counterpart. Therefore, in search of the optimum, it is not at all necessary to focus on the number of driving axles, sometimes there are more important arguments.
HOW THE CLUTCH WORKS (Gennady Emelkin)
Structurally, the schemes of operation of the plug-in all-wheel drive "Renault Duster" and "Mazda CX-5" are close. Both vehicles have an electronic clutch located in the rear axle gearbox housing. It, guided by information about the difference in the speeds of rotation of the front (main drive) and rear wheels, coming through the sensors of the anti-lock braking system to the control unit, if necessary, is blocked by connecting the second axle. The clutch control algorithm is quite complex and depends on a number of external factors.
The scheme opens in full size on a mouse click.
The scheme of the all-wheel drive "Mazda CX-5" is as follows. With uniform movement, when the wheel speeds are the same, torque is applied to the clutch housing (4) . Disks (5) control clutch is open. Slave (1) and presenter (7) the discs are stationary relative to each other and rotate together with the driven shaft of the clutch (9) connected to the main drive shaft of the rear wheels. Torque is not transmitted to the rear wheels.
As soon as the wheels of the front axle begin to slip (angular difference of 15-20 degrees), the four-wheel drive control unit sends a signal to the electromagnetic coil (2) . Under the influence of a magnetic field, the anchor (8) is attracted to it and compresses the discs of the control clutch (5) that connect the drive disc to the clutch housing (6) . Due to the difference in their speeds, the drive disk rotates, the balls (3) are displaced along an inclined guide groove and shift the driven disk, which compresses the disks of the main clutch - the clutch is engaged.
To turn off the clutch, the control unit removes the signal from the coil, the discs of the control clutch open, the drive disc rotates, the balls return to their original position - the discs of the main clutch open. This will happen not only with a steady uniform movement, but also when the anti-lock braking system and the dynamic stabilization system are activated.
To protect the coupling from damage in harsh conditions, protection is provided. When the oil in the gearbox is heated to 100 degrees, the control unit turns off the clutch and does not turn it on until the temperature drops to 60 degrees.
