[scubasteve2365]

I jacked my car up for the first time to estimate brake life and see about a faulty wheel bearing that an Indy diagnosed. I jacked the whole front of the car up and put it on jack stands. I was able to manually spin the front wheels even though the rear wheels were on the ground. I didn't think about it at the time but after I put everything back down I questioned that. Being AWD should that have been able to happen? For safety reasons I feel that I left the car in a low gear as I'm used to doing that before jacking a car up but im not certain. I am comfortable with brakes, wheel rotation, and bolt on stuff but I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to transmissions and differentials.

Nothing feels wrong with the car, this is just a thought. If I should be cognoscente of this when working on the car what do most do when the rear end is up? I plan to keep the car in gear, along with wheel chocks of course.

[dm2008]

I am not even 50 % sure but I think with xdrive doesnt awd kick in at 5mph?

I haven't tested this myself but it could explain it hopefully all is good.

[nomile]

Had mine on stands today, and it does this too - I think (like previous poster stated) that the front only comes alive at low speeds when needed, or between certain speeds (believe it cuts off at >70kph or >70mph (can't remember which)

[zipstic]

The same thing happens with Audi Quattro Torsen systems, which is always "engaged." You could jack up one corner of the car and spin the wheel that was off the ground. I wouldn't worry about it harming anything.