Transfer cases exist in modern vehicles to transfer power from the transmission to all four wheels. Transfer cases are only used in four-wheel drives.
In vehicles that only offer a two-wheel drive, power is generated in the engine, travels through the transmission and is sent to the drive-axle differential and then to the drive wheels. In a four-wheel vehicle, the transfer case is connected to the transmission and divides the power to both the forward and rear axle differentials.
There are some vehicles that offer two-wheel and four-wheel drives. In these vehicles, the driver has the option of bypassing the transfer case making the vehicle into the conventional two-wheel drive. This option saves fuel on the open road while allowing the choice to engage the four-wheel option during off-road or rough terrain activity.
Upgrades and expert technician checkups of transfer cases are available at Valley Imports Mitsubishi.