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How to test if selectable four-wheel drive is working

I would like to buy a used Fiat Sedici with its switchable two and four-wheel drive system. Apart from finding a grassy hill to drive up (and assuming there is no snow on the ground) how can I test that the four-wheel drive system is operative (apart from the light on the dash illuminating, which only shows that the bulb is functioning!).

Asked on 22 October 2021 by toshiba

Answered by Russell Campbell
Accelerating from a muddy verge is probably the easiest option. The wheels will spin in two-wheel drive mode, but the car should make off with minimum fuss if the four-wheel drive is working correctly.

The other option is to put it on a ramp in four-wheel drive mode, if it's working correctly spinning a wheel with your hand should cause the opposing wheel to spin in the opposite direction.
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