Why is front wheel drive better in snow

Of course, FWD is not without its drawbacks. Since this system forces drivers to rely heavily on their front wheels for turning and acceleration, steering is likely to be less precise in slippery conditions. For example, if you skid in a front-wheel-drive vehicle and turn the wheel, it is quite likely you will continue moving forward.

In slippery conditions, all-wheel-drive vehicles overcome many of the shortcomings of rear-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive vehicles. As the name would suggest, all-wheel-drive sends power to all four wheels, which makes it easier to accelerate in snow and ice. The most sophisticated AWD systems quickly adjust to changing conditions and might even help you maintain traction. In spite of these benefits, all-wheel-drive also has some drawbacks, including poor fuel economy and higher maintenance fees.

Generally speaking, good traction in snow and rain makes your drive safer than if you were in a vehicle with rear wheel drive RWD. The downside of an FWD vehicle is that the handling suffers somewhat. Front-wheel drive vehicles may also feature all-wheel drive.

Vehicles that feature rear wheel drive are a bit more complicated. All other things being equal, a heavier vehicle will have more traction than a lighter vehicle. They also tend to have longer wheelbases the distance between the center of the front and rear wheels than passenger cars. That length slows the initiation of a slide or spin, giving you more time to correct it in a more gentle manner.

Lastly, pickups usually have a little bit of ground clearance, which helps their bodies clear very deep snow, a fairly rare condition to encounter on a road. Pickups also tend to have two major downsides: weight distribution and the fitment of part-time 4WD. An unladen pickup usually carries most of its weight over the front wheels, where the engine, passengers, and cab are. Because most pickups nominally operate in RWD, this means those wheels have less traction.

Drivers try to compensate for that imbalance by carrying weight in the bed of their trucks. This can be problematic on its own. Unless that load is secured, it may shift during driving, under heavy braking, or in a crash, suddenly altering the dynamics of the vehicle. If that weight is carried too high, it may contribute to a rollover. Shorter wheelbases and the more balanced weight distribution those bring are one reason why SUVs perform better off-road and in snow.

There are also more options for full-time 4WD in that segment. Unless you are off-roading through deep powder, where you need good flotation, a narrower tire will provide superior grip to a wider one.

Scott Brady, the publisher of Overland Journal put together an excellent white paper on that topic. Tire size selection can be tricky for the uninitiated. I use this free tire size comparison tool to help. Today, I see chains primarily as a tool for experienced off-road drivers who want to go out and play with their trucks in deep powder. Most drivers only need studless winter tires; the car itself is less important.

In the used market, that same vehicle, but a few years old, is a good option. As is the previous 4th generation 4Runner Those are fine in snow, but do not provide adequate grip on ice. Last weekend, I found myself needing to accomplish a last-minute errand that involved a seven hour drive to Salt Lake City and back.

Driving down from Bozeman, Montana, in that Land Cruiser on Blizzaks, I experienced everything from dry mountain roads to a total whiteout blizzard to fresh snow to an ice storm in which multiple vehicles spun off the highway around me.

All the while, I just drove along like usual, going a little slower when necessary, and feeling confident the entire way. Search Search. Even high-performance cars like this Focus RS can be good in the snow, if you run an appropriate set of studless winter tires. Twitter Icon. If you have an automatic transmission, you expect your car to stay in place when you put it in park. This will help identify any possible issues that need to be repaired.

Read more…. If your transmission is running hot, be aware of possible causes. Most transmission problems are a result of overheating. The reasons for overheating include low fluid levels, leaks, burned, old or ineffective fluid, and problems with the solenoid. You can ensure the long life and efficient performance of your transmission — and your car — by doing some things to make sure it does not run too hot.

The way to tell if your transmission is slipping is easy. Does your car drive in a certain gear, then suddenly change gears for no reason? Does it feel underpowered or have trouble accelerating? Do you hear weird noises? Your car should run smoothly, whether moving or stopped. If it shakes while it idles, you could be in for a visit to the mechanic. When your car is functioning properly it should run smoothly in all driving modes — moving fast, slowly, stopped and idling. A sign that the engine needs to be checked, and possibly need some repairs, is when your car shakes as it idles.

The information contained in this website, or any of our content, videos, and publications is for general information purposes only. Learn more about our information disclaimer ».