fwd vs rwd in the snow

[Crazy Drew]

My opinion is probably a bit skewed being an "experienced" RWD owner however I still choose rwd over fwd any day unless I need leg room in the back.

IMO, if you can't drive a rwd car in the conditions you're attempting to drive in, you probably shouldn't be driving. Yeah, you might be able to get the car moving easier if it's FWD but does that really do you any good? Guess what? Everyone has 4 wheel stop regardless of being fwd, rwd or awd. Just because you can get a car moving in the snow/ice doesn't mean you can control it. If you can get a rwd car moving in slick conditions you're probably fully in control of the car the entire time.

In early December we had quite possibly the worst ice stom I've seen in my life. 2-3" accumulation of ice in a matter of hours. Never once did I get stuck or feel as though I lost control of the vehicle. Yeah, I slid around quite a bit but no biggie, just correct for it. Meanwhile I saw plenty of FWD cars with massive weight biases getting stuck all over (newer impalas, northstar powered cadillacs, acuras, you name it)

[Astroboy]

Fwd are better in the snow for normal driving. But a rwd in an abandoned parking lot is the best thing ever

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[Wolfking]

I was under the impression that FWD was solely created to combat adverse weather induced road conditions! Why the hell else would anyone drive a FWD vehicle? My '98 S14 got around better than my '09 civic Si sedan did in the snow! WTF?

[Slash]

I've always figured front drive vehicles are cheaper to manufacture because the entire driveline is one assembly. From a manufacturer standpoint you just drop the car on the front subframe and it's done.

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[ZionsWrath]

I'm in Canada right now and this guy was showing me where to go on a snow packed/covered road in his BMW wagon. I was driving my FWD accord. I was able to keep up no problem but I felt my car was quite close to its limit. I didn't even see him get sideways once. Both of us on snow tires.

So I think it comes down to

1. driver skill
2. size of your testicles
3. IMO RWD might be a little better than FWD as far as correcting slides since you can use your throttle as opposed to a hand brake in certain situations.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by hmong337

How about mid-engine rwd? the mr2 was a tank through the snow!!!...

This. I drove my MK1 MR2 through some very bad winter weather on all-season tires, and it never/ever slipped once. We're talking blizzard, white-out conditions.

I would never even think of doing this in the FR-S.

[jarviz]

Originally Posted by Slash

I've always figured front drive vehicles are cheaper to manufacture because the entire driveline is one assembly. From a manufacturer standpoint you just drop the car on the front subframe and it's done.

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yup. not every person needs a RWD to buy groceries.

[Frost]

From what I understand from WRC history, the first rally cars were RWD but as they raced in severe conditions, FWD really started showing its merits when designed properly compared to a similar RWD. In fact, FWD was actually gaining ground until Audi smashed everything with their AWD Quattro and pretty much shamed everyone.

So technically, FWD should be better for the same driver than RWD in adverse weather conditions. Then again, very difficult to truly test since no car manufacturer truly makes RWD and FWD on the same car as options.

[Tt3Sheppard]

The only issue I have is hills and the fact that the traction control makes it harder to drive in the snow 50% of the time.

[cy1clown]

I have found that the single most important factor is TIRES, then tires and then tires.
As far as drive wheels go the tires with more weight over them get better traction.
Thus a front heavy front wheel drive will get you moving in the direction you want best.
I had a pontiac fiero RWD mid engine car, in the snow I could move but not steer.
My old 10 ton 69 buick skylark with 200lb of weight in the back and beefy snow tires would go anywhere I dared drive.

[rice_classic]

Snow?

AWD>FWD>RWD

/Thread

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by Tt3Sheppard

The only issue I have is hills and the fact that the traction control makes it harder to drive in the snow 50% of the time.

Turn it off - that will help immensely with starting from a full stop.

[Aaron.H]

Originally Posted by 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.

x2 on what you just said.

biggest factors imo regardless of awd, rwd, 4x4, fwd is the Tires and the driver's experience & skill level. Winter tires make a night and day difference in winter. even the cheaper winters are still better then the best all seasons on snow & ice.

[jarviz]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

Turn it off - that will help immensely with starting from a full stop.

then floor it. you left out the most crucial part