Hyundai Repair: 2005 Hyundai - 4WD, hyundai santa fe, hyundai tucson

Question
Hello, I have a 2006 Hyundai Tucson and my friend has a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe. My Tucson has a button for 4wd (to activate 4wd or deactivate). My friend's Santa Fe has no such button - I though when a car was 4WD it needed a switch to turn it off and on. Thanks. Nancy

Answer
It depends on the 4WD setup.  

On the Tucson, your 4WD is automatically controlled by computer.  When it senses the wheels slipping, it engages the 4WD.  But you can also engage 4WD by turning it on with the button if you'd like it to stay engaged.

The Santa Fe has two different 4WD setups, depending on which engine the vehicle has.  The 3.5 has a system similar to what's on your Tucson, but it lacks the button.  The only way the 4WD will engage on the 3.5 is if the computer deems it necessary.  The 2.7 Santa Fe, on the other hand, has full time 4WD.  It's always on.