Hybrid FWD and bad weather

[Amakrida]

We use a rolling rack like this. This particular photo is from JEGS performance parts.

Never seen one of these, interesting.

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[bschurman]

How do people typically store their snow tires so they’re not taking up too much space or in the way. Also, is it relatively easy just to pop off and swap tires for the season?

HyLoft 01031 Folding Storage TireLoft, 32 to 48 Inches Wide, Supports 300 Pounds, Silver
$45 and you’re all set. I have two of these
In my garage and they work fine for large tires.

 

[CASD57]

As probably said...Just put on Blizzaks Tires... When we had our worse snow in years (Snow piled up 15ft plus in parking lots) where I worked we had to quit using the truck-plow and get a front end loader... Well anyway We had a Fiat Pop 500 at the time with Blizzaks and never had a problem except for once it high centered.... AWD is over rated

 

[zeketolliver]

I've lived in Ohio my entire 42 years. I grew-up in rural South Central Ohio (Pickaway and Hocking county), and I've driven FWD since I was 20ish. I've the biggest I've driven is a 2011 Honda Odyssey, and the smallest has been a 1993 Ford Festiva. If you do most of your driving in the city, or on well-maintained roads you should have zero issues. The extra ground clearance should help.

The biggest issue I've ever had is with the Odyssey, where the rear-end would want to swing around when making low speed 90 intersection turns degree turns (stop lights, stop signs). I'm guessing this will be a potential issue with the Maverick. Though the Odyssey had a bigger engine (v6) and was a little longer and heavier than the maverick (203in and 800lbs heavier).

Naturally, I've had to do a lot of shoveling for my low clearance vehicles...but the Maverick isn't low clearance.


I don't think you should have a problem, as long as you drive smart, and don't have a close encounter another driver who isn't driving smart.

 

[fbov]

... AWD is over rated

I thought so, too, until I got a car with AWD. It is not over-rated.

This is based on 47 years on snows, in a town that gets 8' a year, at 1" a day.

 

[zeketolliver]

I thought so, too, until I got a car with AWD. It is not over-rated.

This is based on 47 years on snows, in a town that gets 8' a year, at 1" a day.

Yeah, it all depends on where you're going to be driving. If I lived where my sister lives, down in Pike County, I wouldn't accept anything other than AWD/4WD. Living in a mostly flat area, FWD will be all I need 99% of the time. I've driven a Honda Insight for almost 6 years now, and I've never had to miss work b/c of the ice and snow.

NOTE: I use All-Weather tires, vice snow tires. So much of FWD vs AWD debate is based on now much inclement weather you get, and daily driving needs. I live in a city, and most of my driving is stop-and-go within an 8mi radius of my home. I also have easy access to two interstates, so I don't have a need for anything other than FWD 99.99% of the time.

 

[dceggert]

In Dec 2016 when I was shopping for a Fusion I wanted AWD. I test drove the AWD first, found a parking lot that was not plowed and took the car into about 8" of snow that fell a couple of days earlier. As expected the car plowed right through it, spun around easily, and I was impressed. The next test drive was the FWD Fusion. I went to the same parking lot and plowed through the same snow.

When I compared the cost of the AWD package, the 2 MPG it needed over the FWD, and the performance in that parking lot being the same I picked the FWD Fusion. In the 5 years of driving that car year round (well, 4 years with being stuck working from home in 2020) I have not even gotten close to having an issue.

However, I will qualify this by saying I live in Metro Detroit. We are in the 'north' but not in a heavy snow area. We also do not have steep hills or mountains here. The steepest slope I need to deal with is the freeway exit ramp and my driveway.

 

[arkanos]

I drove a FWD car in Michigan's upper peninsula for four years. Snow tires are a lot more important than AWD.

 

[fbov]

AWD is over rated

I drove a FWD car in Michigan's upper peninsula for four years. Snow tires are a lot more important than AWD.

That's changing. Here's a new video that addresses "Snows/FWD vs. All-Weather/AWD." How close can you get to a top winter tire on snow, using one of the best 4-season, 3PMS-rated tires? The answer is d*mn close!!
- FWD + snows wins braking, as expected, but...
- AWD + 3PMS tires wins acceleration and skid pad
- They tie on the road course.

I have to admit, I was a bit giddy when he turns off traction control on the skid pad, hangs out the rear, and the AWD slowly pulls away...

Who was having more fun?

 

[olderbudwiser]

Discovered with my go anywhere in the snow FWD Ford Escort, first time in snow, unplowed streets is was so light tires would not be on the ground was kinda like going up a ramp. Car was sitting on 10-12 inches of snow. Lesson learned.

 

[UpNorthBuckeye]

In bad weather I would rather be in FWD than RWD vehicle. In general, FWD does not need AWD. RWD usually needs AWD as it tend to stuck just about everywhere FWD just drives through without any drama.

Amen to this. I'm old enough (66) that when I started driving it was always RWD, and usually without limited slip, so you had to learn how to drive basically on one wheel drive. I like to think it gave me a better feel for what's happening between my tires and the surface.
By comparison, FWD is a luxury feature. I live in Southern Michigan, although not in a "snow belt" area, and without mountainous terrain. FWD is fine where I am. Possibly in the UP, or in the hillier parts of Northern Lower Peninsula, AWD might be more critical.
FWD means better gas mileage, so FWD it is.

 

[Jlemke]

What cars do you see one the road in bad weather? If you see a bunch of FWD sedans (and most aren't in ditches) you should be fine. If the only thing in the road in bad weather are 4x4 trucks and AWD crossovers, you might be wise to opt for AWD.

This is what made me feel ok with the hybrid FWD. I have driven so many cars in Iowa with FWD, never had an issue. Hell sometimes I was the only one on the road with all the 4×4s in the ditch. Made me laugh. If you know how to handle the weather and drive accordingly I'm assuming it will be no different. Only thing that really made me consider going AWD was 4k tow package. Decided my wife's new car could do 5k, no point for one with less.

 

[Geep]

I have 4 seasons tires on my F-150 4WD (manual transfer case), I was told at time of purchase that these are better than All Season tires…so far I have to agree……

 

[Platinum2]

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.

Probably no worse than any other FWD hybrid car. Wouldn't sweat it. Can always put on snow tires if you're concerned. I'm in Michigan and see all sorts of FWD Hybrids, EV's, etc in the winter.

 

[Platinum2]

This is what made me feel ok with the hybrid FWD. I have driven so many cars in Iowa with FWD, never had an issue. Hell sometimes I was the only one on the road with all the 4×4s in the ditch. Made me laugh. If you know how to handle the weather and drive accordingly I'm assuming it will be no different. Only thing that really made me consider going AWD was 4k tow package. Decided my wife's new car could do 5k, no point for one with less.

If I could have gotten even 3500 lbs of tow capacity in the hybrid I would have gone that route.

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