How does the 4 matic system work
#1
How does the 4 matic system work
Ok I have a 1999 E320 4 matic and noticed that under Certain conditions that I can spin back tires.Was pilling out with some gravel and noticed it
So my question is is this normal??
And how does the system actually work?? Does it have clutch packs that sense slip and then lock up to direct the power forward.
Or does it use electronics to send a signal to let it know to transfer the power??
Kevin
So my question is is this normal??
And how does the system actually work?? Does it have clutch packs that sense slip and then lock up to direct the power forward.
Or does it use electronics to send a signal to let it know to transfer the power??
Kevin
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 4
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
The wheel spin is normal this is due to the fact that a greater percentage of power is transmitted to the rear wheels. The system is contralled electronically. Years ago, with the very old systems it was mechanical.
#3
basically, it's all electronic controlled.
when it senses that a wheel is slipping, it takes power away from that wheel and applies it to the wheel(s) with the most grip to get you on your way.
Even if 3 tires are losing grip, say on ice and one tire still has grip, it will send power to that. I believe if all four are losing grip, it will just "shoot" power to each wheel at a time to get it to move. They demonstrated this at the C-Spot (www.cspotparty.com) when they took a C240 4Matic up a ramp with rollers. Pretty impressive as it made it up all the way :p
It just kept braking the wheels individually at a time and like cycled the power through the wheels and got it up
when it senses that a wheel is slipping, it takes power away from that wheel and applies it to the wheel(s) with the most grip to get you on your way.
Even if 3 tires are losing grip, say on ice and one tire still has grip, it will send power to that. I believe if all four are losing grip, it will just "shoot" power to each wheel at a time to get it to move. They demonstrated this at the C-Spot (www.cspotparty.com) when they took a C240 4Matic up a ramp with rollers. Pretty impressive as it made it up all the way :p
It just kept braking the wheels individually at a time and like cycled the power through the wheels and got it up
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 1
From: Bloomington, IN
1997 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
The power output is split 40% front and 60% rear while driving straight ahead. If one of the wheels starts to spin it is braked and correspondingly more power is sent to the other wheel. In this way the system acts like a rear differential lock. If both rear wheels spin, both are braked simultaneously, while transfer case absorbs speed difference between front and rear axle. The transfer case acts like a center differential lock. It's a simple system.