Bob, My Ranger, GMC and the tj have what I would call AWD.. All of them get execllant milage..compared to 4X4's of the past. The only handicap I can find with the AWD is the effect all the spinning mass has on the front brakes.
At first I thought the things would cause a huge loss in milage...but I am beginning to be a believer!!!
I'm thinking the slightly larger tires than stock have caused the odometer to be off a bit and the guys driving style causes the rest of the milage loss. I betcha he makes jackrabbit starts without allowance for the next higher gear.
I find with my AWD and even my wife's non AWD short trips cause a huge loss in milage due to the choke always being on durung the trips...
I have found these modern enggines to run correctly at all times...unless they need a tune and then they run like chit!
I don't know of an occasion where a nicely running modern engine was in need of any tune.
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />