Driving in snow - 2wd or 4wd

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by puddleglum

I'll take a FWD car with a good set of snow tires over 4wd any day.

I notice that (at least as far as I can tell) everyone who says this seems to live in the flatter parts of the world. And it's certainly true that I learned to drive in such a place (before anything but Jeeps had 4WD) and people managed to get around ok. But head up a nice, steep mountain road and you're likely to get nothing but wheel spin.

[star_deceiver]

My vehicles have always had studded winter tires, whether Fwd, Rwd or 4wd. Personally, I prefer 4wd as the amount of control you have in all maneuvers is just that much better! Studded Hakka 8's!!!

[Xist]

Live where it does not snow?

My dad's F150 must have had summer tires, but I tried to be careful, and found myself sideways before the end of the block. There was an ice patch and I came back even slower, but with plenty of stuff from Home Depot, so there is that.

I just tried to pull over in my Forester and my car went off the road and got stuck. I figure that once the right wheels were on snow, the difference in traction got me.

Weren't we just discussing (in the Jeep thread) that armor makes you stupid?

[hamsterpower]

I'm happy with FWD. A set of snow tires is even better. 4WD will help go faster but does not help you stop. For most people save the gas money year round and buy a set of mounted snow tires.
My anecdote is from when I was driving across NH for school everyday. My little CRX with snows had no trouble all day long but I passed more than 10 4WD SUVs spun-out in the snow banks along the way in one day.

[redpoint5]

AWD can get a vehicle more stuck than a 2WD car. I once spent 5 hours digging my Legacy out while wearing jeans and a t-shirt because I plowed the road with my bumper until high-centering on the snow. All I had was a screwdriver to dig out with and no gloves... not the brightest moment in my life. Then again, I didn't expect the road to be full of snow that early in the winter.

[Cd]

Thanks for the replies guys.
Let me add to the question : Does a 4WD handle any better than a 2WD in snow ?
For example, when going around corners.

Main concern is safety.
My friend up in Canada is looking at buying an suv - a new Honda CR-V , a Jeep Puberty ...er Liberty , and other smallish suvs.

My question mainly pertains to SUVs.

[ksa8907]

Originally Posted by Cd

Thanks for the replies guys.
Let me add to the question : Does a 4WD handle any better than a 2WD in snow ?
For example, when going around corners.

Main concern is safety.
My friend up in Canada is looking at buying an suv - a new Honda CR-V , a Jeep Puberty ...er Liberty , and other smallish suvs.

My question mainly pertains to SUVs.

Only if it is fulltime 4wd (locked) or a good awd system. Most awd only drive the other two wheels when needed. Snow tires will make the biggest difference.

[Miller88]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Good winter tires beats 4 wheel drive. In snow, turning and braking are more important than acceleration, so winter tires are the only thing that helps with all 3.

I have driven in New England for 38 years, and I have had rear wheel drive and front wheel drive. Starting with my second car (1970 Volvo 144) I have always had 4 winter tires.

All vehicles come with 4 wheel brakes ... even FWD cars! I'm more concerned with stopping than going!

Originally Posted by Cd

Thanks for the replies guys.
Let me add to the question : Does a 4WD handle any better than a 2WD in snow ?
For example, when going around corners.

Main concern is safety.
My friend up in Canada is looking at buying an suv - a new Honda CR-V , a Jeep Puberty ...er Liberty , and other smallish suvs.

My question mainly pertains to SUVs.

The CR-V AWD system will handle much better than the part time 4WD system in the Jeep. The part time system found in most Jeeps and trucks is better for off road at slow speeds. It tries to make all 4 wheels turn at the same speed, even if you are turning .. .which means they will get unpredictable when you are trying to do anything other than go straight while applying power. A "full time" AWD system will allow the wheels to all turn at different speeds when applying power.

[solarguy]

My fwd jetta, with Blizzak snow tires, does all around noticeably better than my Subaru outlook without snows.

Snow tires for the win.

Exactly what Neil said. 4 wd might get you going better, but won't help you stop or steer better when conditions get ugly. Honest to God snow tires do all 3, starting, stopping and steering/turning.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Cd

Let me add to the question : Does a 4WD handle any better than a 2WD in snow ?
For example, when going around corners.

Main concern is safety.
My friend up in Canada is looking at buying an suv - a new Honda CR-V , a Jeep Puberty ...er Liberty , and other smallish suvs.

My question mainly pertains to SUVs.

The only time 4WD improves cornering ability is when applying throttle while in the actual corner. Basically, 4WD is only an advantage when more traction is needed to go, but does nothing for coasting and braking.

As far as the Puberty is concerned, the 2WD can get unskilled drivers into trouble quickly on slick surfaces because it is rear wheel drive. The back-end will toss out and put the car sideways, especially with the torque that the Liberty motor has. It would be a good idea to engage 4WD in the Liberty whenever conditions are slick to keep the rear end from trading places with the front end.

For best handling in snow, choose the lightest vehicle. My Liberty AWD could run circles around my friend's Ranger 4x4. A CUV or sedan would handle better, but have less ground clearance. Ground clearance is only a concern when traveling on roads that do not get plowed. There is a trade-off of having a low center of gravity (better handling), and being able to drive over taller obstacles (deep snow). My legacy had low clearance but could still push uphill through quite a lot of dry snow.

Originally Posted by ksa8907

Only if it is fulltime 4wd (locked) or a good awd system.

Locked differentials will handle corners worse than unlocked. It will have more traction for straight line acceleration, but will give a bit less traction if powering through the corner because the wheels will be forced to slip.