AWD and snow

[Hooverq]

Hello, only had my Mav since May and just ready to hit 4K. For those of you who have experienced winter in them how is the performance in snow? We typically get 3-7 inches here in the Ohio valley. I know you people further north are eye rolling but that seems to be enough for the masses to go into full crazy mode on the roads here. My vehicles sit in my garage at the bottom of a steep driveway as seen in my profile pic. For comparison my 4matic Benz sedan walks right up no problem. Can I expect the same out of my beastie with the factory Michelin Primacy 225/60/18 or should I be thinking about a winter tire/wheel combo?

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[Shakesbear]

This does a great job of explaining the AWD system, and in the snow

https://www.google.com/search?q=202...#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:3aa27612,vid:Jy01NTuIhEQ

 

[billbillw]

Most people say the AWD system in the Maverick/Escape/Bronco Sport does pretty well in the snow. There are some videos on YouTube of a Maverick FX4 going through some pretty hairy offroad trails with snow. Tires are always the limitation though and nothing short of winter tires will work when its icy.

 

[No5s]

My Tremor is one of the best trucks in snow I’ve ever had. My wife’s SUV front wheel drive can’t get up the hill on her lane. The Tremor doesn’t spin a tire.

 

[MetalThunder]

Cheers

 

[Hooverq]

This does a great job of explaining the AWD system, and in the snow

https://www.google.com/search?q=202...#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:3aa27612,vid:Jy01NTuIhEQ

Thanks for sharing!!! Being a Mercedes-Benz employee for over 25 years I must say this little truck continues to suprise and delight me.

 

[RedRider]

I think most people wanting 4WD have not driven a FWD in snow ever. Maybe its somehow more macho to say that you absolutely need a 4x4 with stupid wheels hanging a foot outside the fenders just to get to work, but whatever. 3-4" of snow should not be a problem for FWD. I see lots of clueless people with no idea how to drive in snow and ice, and floor it when they should not be forming ice on the tires by spinning them as fast as possible. That's why the slippery mode setting mostly just slows down the throttle response and keeps the tread doing its job. IMHO, 4WD is great for getting you more stuck, and not much more than that.

 

[Dignam]

Tires are more important in snow than AWD/FWD in most scenarios. That said, the AWD system handled slippages well when I used it last winter.

 

[colinl]

Ohio gets more snow than Kansas, especially if you're the NW corner or near it. But last winter my Maverick with AWD and the 18" michelin primacy did great. The Maverick's AWD system is really good and the drive modes actually will let you have a little fun, unless/until you put it in slippery mode. In slippery mode the throttle response is sluggish, and it uses traction control and ABS very aggressively.

This year it might be more interesting for me because my stock Michelins only have 4/32" tread remaining with 21k on the odometer. Still, I expect to be fine. My previous vehicle was a FWD Mazda CX-9 and it had a set of terrible Pirelli Scorpion Verde all-season tires. I still never got stuck anywhere, but I had some anxious moments and my Maverick is much more sure-footed.

 

[psuarmy]

I once didn't make a grass hillside with about 12 inches of drifed snow. I just wanted to see if I could. I was so close though. I turned around and went up the driveway with no issue. Good tires and no ice and you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[Tiger Dude]

I think most people wanting 4WD have not driven a FWD in snow ever. Maybe its somehow more macho to say that you absolutely need a 4x4 with stupid wheels hanging a foot outside the fenders just to get to work, but whatever. 3-4" of snow should not be a problem for FWD. I see lots of clueless people with no idea how to drive in snow and ice, and floor it when they should not be forming ice on the tires by spinning them as fast as possible. That's why the slippery mode setting mostly just slows down the throttle response and keeps the tread doing its job. IMHO, 4WD is great for getting you more stuck, and not much more than that.

4WD gets you stuck where no one can get you out. Tow trucks are RWD.

 

[Noahma]

I live in a pretty darn hilly part of Colorado. I learned to drive in the snow with a 1977 Chevy Camaro with 11" wide tires and had no issues. I have also had a 92 RWD ranger which was a pain in the rear to get up and down the hills in during the winter. And I have driven many FWD cars in the snow, less of a pain in the rear than the Ranger was, but not all that fun. They slowly got me to where I was going.

I absolutely prefer AWD in the snow to FWD or RWD. sure RWD and FWD get the job done in the snow if you know what your doing, but there is something nice about not having to even think about it and just drive.

I have had my Maverick for the second half of last winter, which was fairly snowy. The thing worked like a charm. The factory tires are not the best, but do A decent job. I am sure once I burn though these tires and get my preferred tires on it will preform very nicely.

 

[Scott Asheville]

Tires, tires, tires. I grew up in NW PA and then spent two decades in New England. Tires, tires, tires. That said (twice), a good AWD system is a nice thing for getting going in the first place.

I drove my Miata all winter long in New England on winter tires. I used to pass stuck SUVs all the time. Used to get incredulous looks. Though maybe that's because I'd have the top down while the temp was below freezing.

 

[bgn]

It does very well. However, IF you hit a limit for your use case, you'll see it almost immediately.

My rec: only upgrade IF you need to.

 

[Deleted member 14823]

I think most people wanting 4WD have not driven a FWD in snow ever. Maybe its somehow more macho to say that you absolutely need a 4x4 with stupid wheels hanging a foot outside the fenders just to get to work, but whatever. 3-4" of snow should not be a problem for FWD. I see lots of clueless people with no idea how to drive in snow and ice, and floor it when they should not be forming ice on the tires by spinning them as fast as possible. That's why the slippery mode setting mostly just slows down the throttle response and keeps the tread doing its job. IMHO, 4WD is great for getting you more stuck, and not much more than that.

Except that we're talking about the Maverick's AWD system which most of the time runs in FWD until the sensors detect wheel spin or the need for hard acceleration. I don't know what the hell you're getting so worked up about.

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