Why rwd snow

The lack of weight over the rear tires makes it difficult for them to gain the traction necessary to maintain control in wintery road conditions. While it is possible to navigate snow and ice in a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, this challenge should be reserved for the most experienced and confident drivers.

For most drivers dealing with challenging winter road conditions, front-wheel-drive is preferable to rear-wheel-drive because it provides the traction necessary to accelerate effectively in snow and ice.

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. All-season tires are very capable and a great idea three seasons out of the year.

Do you need winter tires — even with an AWD vehicle? Winter tires can still make all the difference, though. Most passenger cars and crossovers are designed with FWD. This can be a good option for driving in snow for two reasons:. Teaming these advantages with a set of good winter tires can turn your FWD vehicle into a very capable winter ride. RWD is common on sports cars, muscle cars, trucks and truck-based SUVs, and usually allows a more even weight distribution and better handling in ideal driving conditions.

This is because the front wheels are responsible for steering while the rear wheels are tasked with sending power to the road. Rear-wheel drive is less than ideal for driving in the snow. If you live in an area where measurable snow is infrequent or even rare — southern states, for example — driving a RWD vehicle is less of an issue. In most situations, RWD vehicles have less weight over the driven wheels than a FWD, AWD or 4WD vehicle, so they will have more difficulty accelerating on icy roads and a greater possibility of losing control of the rear of the car.

A good set of winter tires can be a tremendous help in giving these vehicles secure traction and handling in snowy and icy conditions.

A little preparation can lead to safe travels in a rear-wheel vehicle even when snow blankets the road. Take these three tips to heart to survive winter with rear-wheel drive. By adding weight to the back of the vehicle, you're essentially adding weight on the axle that provides power. In a car, this means loading up the trunk. In a truck, this means loading up the bed. You can use sandbags, boxes of kitty litter, or even bags of dirt. On the plus side, sand and dirt can be used in your yard come spring, and kitty litter can be used to clean up oil spills in the garage!

Talk about multi purpose materials. Driving school executive Todd Harris is blunt about rear-wheel drive. You can do this by rehearsing cold weather driving in a rear-wheel drive vehicle and signing up for a winter weather driving class in your area. These classes teach car control techniques using vehicles that simulate skids in special, low-friction environments that mirror winter driving conditions. Rehearsal scenarios may include steering out of a skid and sudden braking in a slippery situation.

There are winter driving skill clinics for teens, seniors, pretty much everyone! Do an online search for "winter driving schools" in your area to get started. Be gentle with both the gas and brake pedal, while keeping your steering movements small and smooth.

Take it slow and give yourself extra time to reach your destination.