fwd vs rwd in the snow

[jarviz]

just wanted to bring this up for debate as I had to drive my corolla to work today since my FRS was snowed in. I always thought that FWD was safer/better for the snow (at least that's what I hear also) but it sure didn't feel that way after driving my FRS in the last 3 snowstorms (with continental all-seasons).

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?

[frs10]

Originally Posted by jarviz

just wanted to bring this up for debate as I had to drive my corolla to work today since my FRS was snowed in. I always thought that FWD was safer/better for the snow (at least that's what I hear also) but it sure didn't feel that way after driving my FRS in the last 3 snowstorms (with continental all-seasons).

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?

agreed.

[Nevermore]

I had a similar issue driving my dad's corolla this winter. I was glad the conditions weren't completely terrible because I felt very unsafe in his car. This is one of the worst winters I've had to drive in and the first one I've had to drive the FR-S. I'm amazed at how comfortable I've become in my car driving on snow and slush. His loose steering and poor feedback made the car feel like it wanted to go off in random directions, even without snow.

[jarviz]

Originally Posted by Nevermore

I had a similar issue driving my dad's corolla this winter. I was glad the conditions weren't completely terrible because I felt very unsafe in his car. This is one of the worst winters I've had to drive in and the first one I've had to drive the FR-S. I'm amazed at how comfortable I've become in my car driving on snow and slush. His loose steering and poor feedback made the car feel like it wanted to go off in random directions, even without snow.

I'm not even going that deep regarding the steering response, suspension setup, tires, etc. Just purely fwd vs rwd (and we can assume everything else is even). Just not sure why everybody else feels fwd is so much safer when driving in the snow because I feel much more unsafe when my fwd breaks traction.

[Demandred7]

I think winter tires can improve things further. Hills can still be a challenge with RWD; however, it has an advantage going around corners as long as you are deliberate with your inputs. More often than not, FWD = under steer, so, it encourages you to slow down around corners to counteract the under steer. The biggest thing is not so much a RWD thing, but rather, an FR-S thing. It is the advantage of being incredibly communicative compared to other cars. You can tell what the car is doing at all times. I was on the highway about a month ago and the road was quite icy. The back end was slightly wagging and I slowed to a safer speed unlike other mostly FWD cars bombing up the road and only find out that they are in imminent danger when they try to turn or slow down.

[Manic]

[wheelhaus]

^ lol

I also agree.

FWD has the benefit of more vehicle weight (engine, etc) over the front axle, so typically you'll get better grip and drive in the snow. Also this weight is over the wheels that are doing the steering, so you can sometimes use this creatively of you're stuck. If the front end breaks loose, you have to really drive the car to get it to rotate and go in the intended direction.

RWD has the benefit (for experienced drivers) of more predictability when things get loose, but overall grip on the driving wheels is typically less. Also having an LSD means both wheels will break loose simultaneously on the light end of the car...

The 86 has the inherent benefit of being very responsive and communicative, so you have better sensory input of what the car is doing, making it better for nearly any driving situation requiring skill.

And snow tires FTW.

[jarviz]

Originally Posted by wheelhaus

^ lol

I also agree.

FWD has the benefit of more vehicle weight (engine, etc) over the front axle, so typically you'll get better grip and drive in the snow. Also this weight is over the wheels that are doing the steering, so you can sometimes use this creatively of you're stuck. If the front end breaks loose, you have to really drive the car to get it to rotate and go in the intended direction.

RWD has the benefit (for experienced drivers) of more predictability when things get loose, but overall grip on the driving wheels is typically less. Also having an LSD means both wheels will break loose simultaneously on the light end of the car...

The 86 has the inherent benefit of being very responsive and communicative, so you have better sensory input of what the car is doing, making it better for nearly any driving situation requiring skill.

And snow tires FTW.

I was thinking about the engine weight factor too. but what happens when there is 50/50 weight distribution... the one other concept i do understand is it is easier to pull something in the snow then push it.

[DarkSunrise]

From my experience, my heavy FWD GTI is much better in the snow than my FR-S. The 61/39 weight distribution helps a lot.

But the FR-S is more fun in the snow.

If I absolutely need to get somewhere in the snow, I'll take the GTI, but if I'm just looking to hoon around and have fun, I'll take the FR-S.

[993Fan]

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

[BlaineWasHere]

I would drive whichever car has snow tires. Snow tires are more important than the drive of the vehicle.

[Eurasianman]

I have driven a Cobalt SS turbocharged in the snow and the BRZ. Both with OEM tires. Cobalt was a bit easier to drive for the most part, but due to no LSD, I had issues making it up my parent's driveway. The BRZ, with traction control off and LSD, no issues. And as others have said, when you start sliding with the BRZ/FR-S, the car becomes predictable and controllable as long as you stay calm.

Probably off topic: Came across some black ice this morning in the middle of a left turn at an intersection. Drifted it like a boss (first time ever).... unintentionally.

[hmong337]

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

If talking fwd vs rwd, I'd have to say it all depends on where the engine is placed and if it's placed over the axels or not.

But generally speaking, fwd is way better and easier in the snow. This is going to be the first and last season driving my FRS through the winter because, well... it's not too great. Having no weight over the drive wheels simply means less bite or traction.

But front engine rwd certainly makes up for all the winter hardships with the amount of stupid fun you can have!

[DeeezNuuuts83]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

From my experience, my heavy FWD GTI is much better in the snow than my FR-S. The 61/39 weight distribution helps a lot.

This.



The flaw in the original question is that you are comparing a Corolla, which sucks to drive to begin with, with a very well-balanced RWD car with an LSD and isn't a torque-rich car like a Corvette. At least compare it to a FWD car that doesn't suck, like the aforementioned GTI or a Mazda 3, and it won't be as bad.



Does that make sense? It's not fair to assume that the FWD vs. RWD in the snow debate is bogus when you are judging one of the most weaksauce FWD compacts on the market to one of the better handling FRs on the market.