AWD vs FWD

[aps45819]

An SUV is not an option. I don't like driving them.

 

[itsbob]

An SUV is not an option. I don't like driving them. I'm not going to be driving "off road" persay but do live on a gravel road now. I know all about tires after letting an ex put summer tires on my car in September. After the worst winter ever in it I went looking to buy new tires and that's when I realized he'd gotten summer tires. I have all weather tires on it now and managed to get stuck in the mud last weekend AND also barely made it off a lawn I was parked on later that same day.

The only comment I have is when I had a rear wheel drive vehicle in New England..

All season tires work well on Front WD cars, and not worth a damn on rear WD cars. WIth Rear WD you are much better off (though it does cost more $$) getting specific snow tires for the rear then messing with all season. It's a pain switching back and forth with the seasons, but you will notice an incredible differnce.

 

[itsbob]

...driving since I was 13, have driven Broncos, Blazers, Durangos, Jeeps, modded trucks, Audis, front wheel drive Chevettes through blizzards and four wheel drive pickups I buried in mud so deep that the only reason it didn't sink is because it actually floated on the floorboards.

Without reservaton, the coolest thing in the world for normal old driving, ie, not doing a ton of off roading, is AWD. Full time, computer controlled, all wheel drive.

When you get caught in a heavy rain, you don't have to think about it. When you take a curve a bit tighter than you should have, you're covered. When it starts spitting flurries, when there might be icy spots, when you might suddenly hit a puddle deeper than you thought it was, AWD.

You don't HAVE to have it. Just for simple, good old piece of mind and reasonable driving you don't ever have to think about it.

You just drive.

I don't know I liked the excitement in my 4WD Chevy Pickup.. You never knew WHEN it was going to turn on

I remember turning from a dry road to an icy road.. hit the button for 4WD, and about 10 seconds later, and just as the truck was going into the ditch the *4WD* light came on telling me "OK. your 4wd is now functioning, now that you are a-hoe deep into this ditch full of snow" Where as my Nissan, it was instantaneous.

The truck I have now is full time, and like you said, NEVER have to worry about it.. Go around a corner to find it covered with mud? It's on, no worries..

 

[desertrat]

Nic is correct; by FWD I meant "front" wheel drive. I'm not aware of any "cars" that offer "four" wheel drive. Anyway, I'm not interested in the "neither" option, as I already have rear wheel and it sucks in the rain much less the snow. A dusting and I'm in trouble and an inch and I'm likely dead in the water. My dad had a rear wheel t-bird some years ago that I drove while my car at the time was in the shop. I had zero problems with it and was a rookie driver of all of 16 or 17. That being said I realize that RWD is often not that bad depending on the car itself. My car, it sucks.

My interest is between front wheel and all wheel in cars. I've had front wheel in every car previous to my current and never had much of a problem in regular snow in the area. In heavier snows I have gotten stuck with FWD. In heavier snows (for the area say 6" and up) is AWD worth it?

I can tell you a 280Z (RWD) doesn't do well on a snowy road. My 4X4 truck has no problems. It's nice to get out on the roads after a snow before they come along and mess 'em up. Couple of things you can do with a RWD. Get good tires and put weight in the back (kitty litter or sand). Front wheel drives are pretty good in light snow, but would get hung up, say, coming out of your driveway on a pile left by the snow plows. Ground clearance is important for deep snow.

 

[desertrat]

I don't know I liked the excitement in my 4WD Chevy Pickup.. You never knew WHEN it was going to turn on

I remember turning from a dry road to an icy road.. hit the button for 4WD, and about 10 seconds later, and just as the truck was going into the ditch the *4WD* light came on telling me "OK. your 4wd is now functioning, now that you are a-hoe deep into this ditch full of snow" Where as my Nissan, it was instantaneous.

The truck I have now is full time, and like you said, NEVER have to worry about it.. Go around a corner to find it covered with mud? It's on, no worries..

I do NOT like the Auto 4WD option on my Silverado. I can always feel the tires start to slip and then catch. Kind of unnerving.

 

[pixiegirl]

So, my main issues with FWD cars in the snow is areas where the snow is deeper and/or piled up. Say after the plow comes down the street and there's a pile sitting at the bottom. I could get out fine in a FWD but usually had issues getting back up it if I missed my previous tracks or if it had gotten too compacted and sleek. And once I went from a plowed road, made a turn onto an unplowed (the street I lived on) and had been fine on the ploweds but as soon as I made that turn I was stuck. I'd give it about 6 inches. So would an AWD have made it?

 

[itsbob]

So, my main issues with FWD cars in the snow is areas where the snow is deeper and/or piled up. Say after the plow comes down the street and there's a pile sitting at the bottom. I could get out fine in a FWD but usually had issues getting back up it if I missed my previous tracks or if it had gotten too compacted and sleek. And once I went from a plowed road, made a turn onto an unplowed (the street I lived on) and had been fine on the ploweds but as soon as I made that turn I was stuck. I'd give it about 6 inches. So would an AWD have made it?

I would guess yes.. as like the Subaru, most AWD have a little more ground clearance, and of course you have all 4 wheels providing traction and power to get through it.

I remember driving down roads in NH where you could look in hte rearview and see the "gutters" from the tires, and another gouge in the middle from the oil pan on the bottom of the engine, the snow ON the road usually isn't a problem as it isn't compacted and the bottom of the car will just push through it, the problem would be the snow banks on the end of the driveway, where the AWD car will probably push you either through it or over it. AND if you did get stuck, your rear wheels will pull you back out, where in a FrontWD car if your front wheels are in the snow bank, you're STUCK!!

 

[Nickel]

I would guess yes.

I never got stuck in my AWD car, and my employer rarely did a good job of clearing the parking lot...not to mention the hassle of getting in and out of the driveway at home.

 

[itsbob]

Bottom line.. If I was shopping for a car, and my two final choices were between a Front WD or AWD, I'd pick the AWD.

 

[CMC122]

My truck has both. I like the AWD because it gives me a sense of security on the road. It handles well in the rain. I haven't had to use the 4WD yet or the 2WD. I'll let you know when it snows.

Although I have used my 4WD to pull the camper out of it's spot a few weeks ago (ground was wet as a sponge) and it worked like a champ

 

[pixiegirl]

Bottom line.. If I was shopping for a car, and my two final choices were between a Front WD or AWD, I'd pick the AWD.

Of the 3 that I really like 2 come with an AWD option but of course that model is more expensive than the FWD models. The third is only FWD as far as I know.

 

[Larry Gude]

What the hell...

The only comment I have is when I had a rear wheel drive vehicle in New England..

All season tires work well on Front WD cars, and not worth a damn on rear WD cars. WIth Rear WD you are much better off (though it does cost more $$) getting specific snow tires for the rear then messing with all season. It's a pain switching back and forth with the seasons, but you will notice an incredible differnce.

...are those trac adapters for 4wd called? They were on the History Channel not to long ago, 4 individual cat tracs, bolt on or something...uber cool!

 

[itsbob]

...are those trac adapters for 4wd called? They were on the History Channel not to long ago, 4 individual cat tracs, bolt on or something...uber cool!

I've seen them on HMMWV'ss that were WAAAAAY cool.. being tested for the Army..

sno-tracks

<img src="http://www.humvee.net/pix/straxa.jpg">

 

[Larry Gude]

Somebody makes 'em...

I've seen them on HMMWV'ss that were WAAAAAY cool.. being tested for the Army..

sno-tracks

<img src="http://www.humvee.net/pix/straxa.jpg">

...for civilian use. They had them on a Suburban. Seems all you gotta do is take the wheels off and slap these on and go...and go...and go...

Santa is coming!

 

[itsbob]

Of the 3 that I really like 2 come with an AWD option but of course that model is more expensive than the FWD models. The third is only FWD as far as I know.

I think the AWD will hold it's value better also.. more on the other end for when you are ready to trade-in.

Again, if I was in the situation and could afford it.. AWD for sure, and with AWD I'm sure it would come with some kind of Traction Control, which makes it even more nimble and sure-footed.

 

[desertrat]

So, my main issues with FWD cars in the snow is areas where the snow is deeper and/or piled up. Say after the plow comes down the street and there's a pile sitting at the bottom. I could get out fine in a FWD but usually had issues getting back up it if I missed my previous tracks or if it had gotten too compacted and sleek. And once I went from a plowed road, made a turn onto an unplowed (the street I lived on) and had been fine on the ploweds but as soon as I made that turn I was stuck. I'd give it about 6 inches. So would an AWD have made it?

Not necessarily. It would depend on how much clearance you have under the vehicle. You'd have a better chance, though. Remember, if your wheels aren't touching the ground it won't matter what kind of drive system you have you have.

 

[itsbob]

...for civilian use. They had them on a Suburban. Seems all you gotta do is take the wheels off and slap these on and go...and go...and go...

Santa is coming!

I know they were having a hard time getting them through testing.. the first time they hit the 6 inch washboard parts went flying everywhere..


I'd think these would be just as valuable in the soft sand of a desert too..

 

[itsbob]

Not necessarily. It would depend on how much clearance you have under the vehicle. You'd have a better chance, though. Remember, if your wheels aren't touching the ground it won't matter what kind of drive system you have you have.

True, we even got a HMMWV stuck up in Syracuse.. and you can't get much better AWD OR Ground Clearance then one of them..

 

[pixiegirl]

I think the AWD will hold it's value better also.. more on the other end for when you are ready to trade-in.

Again, if I was in the situation and could afford it.. AWD for sure, and with AWD I'm sure it would come with some kind of Traction Control, which makes it even more nimble and sure-footed.

Not to mention the AWD models are the top of the line ones.

 

[itsbob]

Not to mention the AWD models are the top of the line ones.

My office mate just bought the BMW 325Xi (2003 I think).. Got to ride in it last week and it's SOLID.. Great ride, and the AWD is transparent.

BEAUTIFUL car..