All wheel drive lock?

[cons]

Is there a way to keep the vehicle in all wheel drive at all times, like highway speeds, etc?

[philipa_240sx]

Nope, there is no way to 'permanently' engage the AWD lock. It automatically disengages at high speeds for 2 reasons:

- To avoid overheating the AWD components. The transfer case and AWD clutch are especially susceptible.- To improve stability. Sudden maneuvers at high speed with a 'locked' AWD system can cause skidding and loss of control since the front and rear wheels cannot independently rotate.

The Rogue's AWD system is a very sophisticated computer controlled setup. It responds in fraction of a second and will transfer the power smoothly and quickly if needed even at highway speeds.

[psfod3]

I believe the awd in the Rogue becomes front wheel drive around 15 or 25 mph. I have not heard that it will go back to awd if it detects wheel slip at highway speeds. As Subaru's have full time awd due you feel that they have a better system. My last car was a 03 Forester and I drove it for 196,000 miles and I can say that the Rogue is much more stable in the snow and rain on the road then my Forester ever was.

[kerrton]

There are 3 existing threads where the Rogue AWD system has been discussed, see below:

zerothread/292301

zerothread/302258

zerothread/294472

[zakmartin]

I believe the awd in the Rogue becomes front wheel drive around 15 or 25 mph.

Actually, it's 6 mph. AWD override is only there to get you moving.

[philipa_240sx]

Actually, it's 6 mph. AWD override is only there to get you moving.

The operation sequence of the AWD system is not very documented in either the Service Manual or the Owners Manual

We do know from previous AWD Nissan's (X-Trail, Pathfinder with 4WD auto mode, Murano) that the torque split starts at 50:50 from a standing start and the computer than modulates from there. This 'changeover' likely happens at 6mph like zakmartin describes.

As for the AWD Lock Mode, neither the Service Manual nor the Owners Manual documents a specific 'unlock' speed. It simply states the system reverts back to AUTO at high speeds. This may be 100% FWD or some variable amount of front/rear torque split depending on conditions.

I forget where I posted, but awhile back I described the features of the system. It's very sophisticated and uses lateral G sensors, steering wheel angle sensor, and individual wheel speeds to constantly vary the torque split. The system has been constantly refined on every Nissan so the system on the Rogue may not operate exactly the same as say the 1st gen Murano.