Escalade Awd

mini1 · September 24, 2010

A friend is looking at an 08-09 Escalade with AWD and he lives in FL. How exactly does the AWD system work in the Escalade? I did a quick search and couldn't find much. I'm more knowledgeable about the selectable 4WD system found in the GM trucks. Does the Escalade drive in 100% RWD until it detects front wheel slippage, then sends power to the front wheels? Or does it drive in 80 rear/20 front or 90 rear/10 front or some other combo in sunny non-slippery conditions? Would AWD reduce the MPG in a southern non-snow non-ice climate over a RWD Escalade or can the front wheels disconnect and just 'roll'? Any extra wear/tear associated with the AWD system running in 2WD most of the time?

Also, he is going to be towing a large travel trailer 2-4 times per year. Will the AWD system play nicely or will it break?

Can anyone tell me how hard it would be to remove the front license plate holder and make it look like it never had a front plate? I have never looked at how they are attached. Will holes remain?

Stevens03 · September 24, 2010

Well, it's all time 4wd... why they call it AWD. I'm not exactly sure of the split, but theres a differential split between the front and back. And sure as heck it will play nice while towing, it comes with a towing package.

As far as mileage, its a loss compared to a 2wd, but no worse than a 4x4 when engaged. It has a completely different transfer case than a 4x4 does.

250motorsportz · September 24, 2010

Our EXT hauls real nice and gas mileage isn't much different than the Silverado - unless you have a heavy foot.

nickvrebel · September 24, 2010

the Escalade transfer case uses a viscous coupling type system to power the front wheels.

The vehicle is permanently in AWD, it can not be disconnected.

I am not an expert, the rest of this post is my interpretation and "things I have heard":

The split is biased to the rear until slippage occurs and automatically transfers.

The front wheels can not be disconnected, it's been said that removing the front driveshaft will damage the drivetrain, I can not confirm this details.

Check on Cadillac boards, but I've heard something a while back about the front differentials being destroyed by heavy towing.

It will get slightly worse mileage vs. a 2wd b/c it is turning both the front and rear drivetrains all of the time, it takes power to move that mass.

Snow is not the only reason to have AWD. In Florida he will likely see lots of rain, roads get slippery and the AWD will give superior traction. also anytime the vehicle leaves the paved road it will have an edge over a 2wd.

Bish · September 24, 2010

the Escalade transfer case uses a viscous coupling type system to power the front wheels.
The vehicle is permanently in AWD, it can not be disconnected.

I am not an expert, the rest of this post is my interpretation and "things I have heard":

The split is biased to the rear until slippage occurs and automatically transfers.

The front wheels can not be disconnected, it's been said that removing the front driveshaft will damage the drivetrain, I can not confirm this details.

Check on Cadillac boards, but I've heard something a while back about the front differentials being destroyed by heavy towing.

It will get slightly worse mileage vs. a 2wd b/c it is turning both the front and rear drivetrains all of the time, it takes power to move that mass.

Snow is not the only reason to have AWD. In Florida he will likely see lots of rain, roads get slippery and the AWD will give superior traction. also anytime the vehicle leaves the paved road it will have an edge over a 2wd.

I do not believe that is the case any longer. I know my 08 Denali has a Borg Warner open differential for the transfer case and not a viscous coupling. I believe 07 was the year they changed.

The open diff is SUPPOSED to apply 20% front and 80% rear all the time. When it detects wheelspin, it uses the ABS to modulate the brake on the slipping wheel and thereby transferring power through the open diff to the front wheels. I personally prefer the old setup but my 08 AWD works great on dry pavement and great in wet but only ok in snow. Works great when towing IMO.

Also, definitely not recommended to disconnect the front driveshaft as mentioned above. Regarding mileage, you may lose .5 - 1 mpg with AWD but I'm getting 1MPG BETTER in my 08 with 6.2L and AWD compared to my 01 4WD with 5.3L. Go figure.

smattei14 · September 24, 2010

I have the 6.0L with the AWD in my Denali...

Tho this is the OBS...and I am pretty sure the AWD system changed...

but my MPG's are not the best...

around town 11-13

highway 15-16

the AWD kills my MPG's...I am lite driver.

As for towing...its does a good job. the turning radius is not the best (due to the AWD). Since he lives in FL, he will not have to worry about snow, so he will be fine.

I just wish they had the opt so I could choose 2wd, 4x4 Hi, 4x4 Low.

desrtrat · September 24, 2010

Also, he is going to be towing a large travel trailer 2-4 times per year. Will the AWD system play nicely or will it break?

i will be fine. i have the NV-149 transfer case and it's good for over 1200 FT/TQ i have read that some people are not happy with the new TC after having the old 149. i like the AWD for times when i need the extra on wet roads when some POS wants to race you from a light..

mini1 · September 24, 2010

So he should be ok towing? No front diffs blowing out on a regular basis? What about the front plate holder? Will it leave holes when removed?

mini1 · September 25, 2010

no one has ever removed a front plate?

mini1 · September 27, 2010

Can anyone tell me how hard it would be to remove the front license plate holder and make it look like it never had a front plate? I have never looked at how they are attached. Will holes remain?

caddycruiser · September 27, 2010

Can anyone tell me how hard it would be to remove the front license plate holder and make it look like it never had a front plate? I have never looked at how they are attached. Will holes remain?

They are riveted on. Holes poked or drilled, then the small rivets or screws. You will have probably 2 small holes in the plastic, but as I've done with past vehicles (and especially because it's so low on an Escalade), just get small little plastic pushpins that fit flush and can be color matched with touch-up paint. Once in, again especially when so low, you'll be hard to notice it ever had a plate.

There are companies that sell the same little plugs, painted to match, like BumperPlugs.com but you can do the same thing for a dollar or two, the hardware store and touch-up paint. My local GM dealer did it for me on 2 vehicles we purchased that were dealer traded from states with front plates.

BrockwayMT · October 19, 2010

NV149 in the GMT800 style escalade is a viscous coupling over a center diff. The BW4485 that would be in an 09 is just a center diff.

From Alldata

Transfer Case Description and Operation

The Borg Warner (BW) model 4485, RPO NR3 transfer case is a 1-speed, full time, all wheel drive (AWD), transfer case. The transfer case provides power to both axles, through an external planetary type differential, which has 2 different sets of pinion gears. The planetary differential provides a 40/60 torque split, front/rear, full time. This means both axles are constantly being driven for maximum traction in all conditions.

The transfer case external type planetary differential functions the same as a typical rear axle differential. The transfer case differential pinion gears function as the spider gears, and the sun gears function as the side gears.

The following actions occur because of the planetary differential:

If the vehicle is on a hoist, the front propeller shaft can be rotated by hand.

The vehicle cannot be driven if 1 propeller shaft is removed.

Operating the vehicle on the hoist can damage the differential pinion gears, by over-spinning.

Operating the vehicle with 1 propeller shaft removed causes over-spinning of the differential pinion gears.

The BW 4485 design of the planetary differential allows the use with the Vehicle Stability Enhancement System (VSES) vehicles. The VSES takes use of the planetary differential, by applying braking to a tire that has less traction and dividing the engine torque to the other axle.

The BW 4485 case halves are high-pressure, die-cast magnesium. Ball bearings support the input shaft, the front output shaft, and the rear output shaft. The transfer case requires DEXRON®VI Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) GM P/N 88861003 (Canadian P/N 88861004), which is red in color.

Power Flow

Proper Flow

When the BW 4485 is operating in the AWD mode, the power flows from the transmission to the transfer case input shaft (1). The input shaft (1) delivers the power to the planetary differential (4). The case of the planetary differential (4) is splined to the input shaft (1). The planetary differential (4) splits the torque 40 percent through the front differential pinion gears (3) to the front sun gear (8). The front sun gear (8) is engaged with the drive sprocket (2), which drives the chain (9) to the front output shaft (10), and power is delivered to the front propeller shaft. 60 percent of the torque to the rear output shaft (6) goes through the rear differential pinion gears (7) and rear sun gear (5), which is connected to the rear output shaft (6) and to the rear propeller shaft.

The full time AWD will cost you a little in terms of MPG and tire wear. It will give better performance in rain as mentioned. The trailer won't bother the AWD. There is no way to disconnect the front with this kind of tcase.