fwd vs rwd in the snow

[whatsinaname]

From personal experience, RWD+Snow tires > FWD+All Seasons. Cannot comment on the other configurations.

[chrisl]

Originally Posted by 993Fan

Best 2wd: rear-engine, rear-drive...

I disagree. Best: AWD, rear-biased, with a rear and center LSD and snow tires. That having been said, based on what I've driven in the snow (and I've driven in the snow a lot), here's how I would rank factors by importance:

1) Tires. I'll take any car on snow tires over the most perfectly balanced AWD car on summer or all season tires any day. This is the single biggest factor, IMHO.
2) Clearance. High clearance is good, unless you are very, very sure that there will not be any drifts or deep snow (or ruts) in your drive.
3) Drivetrain. AWD > 2WD, and most FWD cars > most RWD cars (though this varies depending on weight distribution, differential, and power level). This isn't nearly as important as good tires or sufficient clearance though, IMHO.

[Celica00]

Originally Posted by chrisl

I disagree. Best: AWD, rear-biased, with a rear and center LSD and snow tires. That having been said, based on what I've driven in the snow (and I've driven in the snow a lot), here's how I would rank factors by importance:

1) Tires. I'll take any car on snow tires over the most perfectly balanced AWD car on summer or all season tires any day. This is the single biggest factor, IMHO.
2) Clearance. High clearance is good, unless you are very, very sure that there will not be any drifts or deep snow (or ruts) in your drive.
3) Drivetrain. AWD > 2WD, and most FWD cars > most RWD cars (though this varies depending on weight distribution, differential, and power level). This isn't nearly as important as good tires or sufficient clearance though, IMHO.

he said best "2wd" configuration. you went off about AWD set ups. of course AWD will be better than any combo of FWD or RWD

[chrisl]

Originally Posted by Celica00

he said best "2wd" configuration. you went off about AWD set ups. of course AWD will be better than any combo of FWD or RWD

Ahh, I misinterpreted his statement. I read it as the best configuration is 2WD, with a rear engine rear drive.



(This is proof that I haven't had enough caffeine today at work...)

[Celica00]

Originally Posted by chrisl

Ahh, I misinterpreted his statement. I read it as the best configuration is 2WD, with a rear engine rear drive.



(This is proof that I haven't had enough caffeine today at work...)

It's valentine's. Too many things on a guy's mind today. I've been scattered brained all day.

Anyways, these last 2 winters have been hell on ice w/ Utah's roads. The tires really are the HUGE difference, regardless of configuration

[1086]

Its the same thing, but reverse, or fronverse, or un-verse, universe?

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by jarviz

.........

I do feel FWD is better for getting out of trench or going uphill from a complete start, but RWD is better/easier to control if slipping happens during actual driving. Thoughts?

I'll go along with that .....


humfrz

[BRZnut]

having driving RWD cars in the 70's, then only FWD cars until getting the BRZ, I have to go with the FWD in the snow. Pulling the car with the front wheels in the snow feels more secure than having the BRZ fish tail every moment.

[993Fan]

Originally Posted by Celica00

he said best "2wd" configuration. you went off about AWD set ups. of course AWD will be better than any combo of FWD or RWD

Thanks for saving me some key strokes!

[FRS_ing]

RWD=Real Winter Driving

[Jegan_V]

They both have their advantages and disadvantages assuming there isn't a tire difference as tires are more important than the drivetrain in this regard. FWD the benefits are primarily down to it being easier to getting going from a stop and its less likely to do something scary. It suffers on slippery hills and its less stable on the move due to the air pushing the rear not the front.

FR layout cars, they are the opposite. They're harder to get going from a stop and they constantly force you to take each turn with care. In return so long as they have momentum, hills are easy and they're way more stable on the move at speed than front drive cars.

Me? RWD over FWD. So long as I can keep a RWD car's momentum going I'm less likely to get stuck. I prefer to drive at a decent pace which FWD is no good here in this regard. I don't mind having my driving skills called to the test because you should always be alert especially in bad weather conditions. Lastly I'm simply more experienced with RWD winter driving. I've driven a lot of FWD cars and I don't find them hugely impressive except for getting going in the snow. If the FWD car is poorly optimized for winter, it'll be terrible regardless.

[bcj]

Tires and traction available.
Gotta say, installing cable chains on FWD is so much easier.
You can drape them over the top, back up a foot, crank the wheel to lock and hook up the inside.
Piece of cake.

[iccce34]

For the winter I put Dunlop winter sport 4d's on my 13 FR-S. I also threw 100lbs in the back seat. I did not have any problems getting around in the snow. The only issue I could see is if the snow is deeper than the actual ride height of the car or actual ice. Drove through several snow storms with varying levels snow on the roads. Those tires were pretty great.

[DopaDubXi]

Well I will tell you I've never had to be pushed up a small inclined hill in my '91 Mr2, but I barely made it with my Fr-s in this ice mess.