Hybrid FWD and bad weather

[Wizard]

I'm retired and really have no where I have to be on a daily basis and have never had better than fwd in a car so I think I will be fine. If we have a foot of snow I will just plump my ass on the couch and watch the boob tube !

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[spuds_mackenzie]

Wait....are you guys saying that I didn't actually need the AWD model I bought for the 1 inch of snow we get per year (if that) in SC????? Blasphemy!

 

[Sjbuck2021]

I started driving on bias belted Nylon tires and RWD in the late 1960's. I still drive a RWD truck although with radial tires and have no issues in the Winter weather. I prefer RWD over FWD as I'd rather lose traction in the rear oppose to the front where the steering takes place. This is in Michigan, we do get a bit of snow. As far as a FWD Hybrid, sure, although I'd mount up a set of Winter tires before doing so. It makes a huge difference.

I agree..
Winter tires on separate rims. U will get almost twice the miles running two sets of tires so it really isn't costing a lot.

 

[oldfatguy]

the big problem i see is all wheel drive doesn't make anything stop better and thats a bigger problem than going winter tires on front only or rear only drive is way better than normal tires on AWD

 

[icegradner]

the big problem i see is all wheel drive doesn't make anything stop better and thats a bigger problem than going winter tires on front only or rear only drive is way better than normal tires on AWD

Exactly, the 4x4/AWD stuff is all well and good, but it will not make up for using summer tires in snowy or more importantly icy conditions. Every test I've seen on the matter comes to that conclusion, it's not just some marketing thing from tire companies. In the last 18 years of driving I can only think of two times when having AWD or 4x4 would have been helpful, and even then there's no guarantee it would have helped. I get the feeling that AWD/4x4 would matter a lot more if you were doing off road driving, otherwise it's mostly just a marketing gimmick that decreases fuel efficacy, and the system can be expensive to repair.

 

[cyberdog]

Probably depends what flavor of AWD you've owned. Most only engage the 2nd axle when there's slip detected, otherwise are basically FWD, with an on-demand AWD to the rear (known as a re-active system). The two primary exceptions are Audi & Subaru, who drive all four, all the time. Even when cruising on the highway, my Outback is 55/45 (f/r) torque split, and pro-actively adjusts the torque split, shifting from the wheels that slip, to the wheels with grip. (I have a pre-CVT 3.6R).

Even in the rain, AWD does help pulling into traffic, when you need to move a bit, as opposed to sitting and waiting for larger gap/opening in traffic. In snow, the system is nearly unstoppable, it just goes right through snow. I'll miss that part the most, once the Hybrid shows up. Thankfully, we generally don't get a lot of snow at once, and I've had FWD, RWD, and 4WD vehicles, in addition to the current Subaru and lived just fine with the snow. - TIRES, TIRES, and TIRES, are when get you around. Having limited space to store them, I'll swap to a Snow-Rated All-Weather of some sort at some point.

 

[icegradner]

I've had Nokian WR-G2 and Michelin Cross Climate+ all weather tires (snow rated). Since snow is not normally a big issue here in Vancouver, so full out snow tires aren't always needed every winter. When it does snow it's normally nasty wet slushy heavy snow that no snow tire I've seen does super well in anyway, even the guys with locking diffs can be seen stuck on hills. Ice is more of an issue here though, heavy rainfall during the day followed by freezing overnight at he beginning of a cold snap is typical. The Michelin handles ice rather well, and snow is much better than any all season tire, no doubt about it. The Nokian was not as good, but that tire was not the current generation tech.

 

[Proflig8tor]

Is hybrid FWD sufficent in Ohio where I live. I deal with occasional snow and downpour. And with the weather getting worse I'm worried I'm going to need the AWD.

This YouTube Video tests the "worst case" of what you might see, plus adds mountains and a max towing capacity trailer. They did not appear to have any problems with a FWD Hybrid and got shockingly good economy when towing. Their regen video of the dash was particularly interesting.

 

[cyberdog]

With all the positive reviews and videos of the hybrid, the over-thinking (mistake) of ordering the hybrid has pretty much dissipated. (I currently drive a 10 year old Outback). Now I'm only wondering how well I'll fit, particularly pedal placement, verses the seating/leg position, being somewhat vertically challenged.

Lots of things to like about the Maverick, as I might actually use the 110v outlet, and flex-bed for home improvement projects, hauling mulch, snow-blower to my mother-in-laws, and the like. Based on the snow blower, that 110v appears to have enough juice to use the electric start, which uses a 1.5 amp motor. The hybrid and mileage is just icing on the cake.

 

[Geep]

4WD/all wheel drive has been pushed on us for decades, here in Canada you have to order in a 2 wheel drive truck… unless you are rural, think of how much driving you actually do on snow covered roads vs winter pavement?
PS it snowing out…expect 1” today

 

[kw86er]

Grew up on the 54th parallel in Canada. Learned how to drive in a Honda Civic and a C10 Chevy RWD in snow the Civic killed the truck. One thing you learn quick when you spend a lot of time in the snow is that gas is usually your best friend. You might not be able to stop in time on the brakes but you can change trajectory with gas.

 

[notfast]

Even in the rain, AWD does help pulling into traffic, when you need to move a bit, as opposed to sitting and waiting for larger gap/opening in traffic.

That's one of the reasons I'd opt for AWD even here in sunny Southern California. For the handful of times it rains, the concrete gutters get pretty slick. To leave my neighborhood, I make a right-hand turn from a 25mph road to a 45mph road. The intersection has a 3' wide concrete gutter that gets wider at the curbs.

My last commuter was FWD. If I gave it about the same amount of throttle as when it was dry, then the traction control would kick in and chop the throttle. If I turned the traction control off, I'd do a sweet one-wheel peel while having to counter-steer slightly.

My coworker lives down the street and has literally the same car I had (down to the color and the trim), except his is AWD. When I drove his car, I could accelerate the same across the gutter whether it was wet or dry, with no traction control issues.

The other main reason I'd opt for AWD here in California is chain control in the winter. AWD or 4WD vehicles with M+S tires with at least 4/32" tread depth are permitted in "R2" conditions, whereas 2WD vehicles, even with M+S or 3MPSF or dedicated winter tires, need chains. CalTrans will usually close the road before issuing an "R3" (chains required on all vehicles, no exceptions).

- TIRES, TIRES, and TIRES

I agree. In my opinion, tires are the best bang-for-the-buck improvement that you can make on literally any vehicle to improve the characteristics that you desire. Like, I have mud terrain tires on my otherwise stock Nissan Frontier 4x4 because a decent set of tires and some gas in the tank is all I need for the type of off roading I like to do.

That's also what I told newbies at the track. "What do I need to take my daily on the track?" "Decent set of tires and a willingness to learn."

Now I'm only wondering how well I'll fit, particularly pedal placement, verses the seating/leg position, being somewhat vertically challenged.

Comfort is pretty subjective, but my girlfriend is 5'2" and found the Maverick to be comfortable. She felt that the steering wheel telescoped enough toward the dash that she could reach the pedals comfortably wearing flats without having the steering wheel too close.

Power seat would be mandatory for both of us. We sat in like 6 different Mavericks at two different auto shows. I like to make minute adjustments and she doesn't want an arm workout to raise the seat high enough. We sat one-after-another. If I sat first, she'd have the aforementioned arm workout on the manual seat. If she sat first, I'd damn near bang my head on the A-pillar and bang my knee on the dash simultaneously, and I ain't that tall of a dude!

For perspective, she only felt comfortable driving my F-250 (which in and of itself was hilarious to watch a 100lb, 5'2" girl drive a 7,400lb, 22' long, 8' tall truck) if she wore high heels she corrected me to "platform heels" to reach the pedals comfortably and sat on a seat cushion, even with the power seat raised to the highest position.

 

[ShadowBlack XL440]

It depends where in Ohio you live. Rochester gets lake effect snow like Ashtabula. Our FWD C-Max did fine on snow tires, but I understood its limits in deep snow and wet ice. The AWD Escape does better, and on OEM tires to boot! If you're in Cincinnati, it's just like most other FWD cars.

Rochester? I blinked and missed it on my way to Wellington.

 

[dadd75]

Is hybrid FWD sufficent in Ohio where I live. I deal with occasional snow and downpour. And with the weather getting worse I'm worried I'm going to need the AWD.

I lived in northern Michigan, the Traverse City area, right on Lake Michigan. Drove a 2007 Chevy HHR with front wheel drive for 11 years with no problems. I had Bridgestone Blizzak snow tires and they are a top seller and get the job done. Just be smart!

 

[Guardian]

I lived in northern Michigan, the Traverse City area, right on Lake Michigan. Drove a 2007 Chevy HHR with front wheel drive for 11 years with no problems. I had Bridgestone Blizzak snow tires and they are a top seller and get the job done. Just be smart!

Agree tires and smart driving!!

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