I thought the same thing. There is a AWD button on the lower left dash. Default is AWD off. When the front tires start to slip the AWD automatically engages to compensate for the front tires slipping. The AWD button allows you to switch to AWD manually.

Thank you for your response,

Thank you for the helpful information!

Time for new tires.

That is VERY outrageous. When you go to the other mechanic ask him what he would charge. That will give you a ballpark of the dealership’s crazy estimate.