Snow and Front Wheel Drive

[cyberdog]

FWD is more forgiving than RWD or 4WD in the snow, having driven just about every combination. AWD is the most useful for on-road conditions, followed by FWD, with FWD again being a bit more forgiving. Given most AWD is really FWD until a front tire spins, it only gets you going from a stop really, with the exception of the Subaru & Audi system, which are fulltime AWD and act pro-actively as opposed to reactively.

The big problem with AWD & 4WD setups are the drivers think they can bypass the laws of physics, drive too fast, and get into trouble. AWD/4WD does squat to help you stop, and unless you're adept at feathering the throttle, not going to help much taking a turn under control in severe conditions, unless your a pro-drifter. Give too much gas, and the back and a 4x4 will still step out until VSC kicks in to save your sorry you know what.

As mentioned, tires combined with common sense/skill trump everything else in winter. It's the yahoo trying to drive too fast you need to watch out for.

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[Meeka]

FWD is more forgiving than RWD or 4WD in the snow, having driven just about every combination. AWD is the most useful for on-road conditions, followed by FWD, with FWD again being a bit more forgiving. Given most AWD is really FWD until a front tire spins, it only gets you going from a stop really, with the exception of the Subaru & Audi system, which are fulltime AWD and act pro-actively as opposed to reactively.

The big problem with AWD & 4WD setups are the drivers think they can bypass the laws of physics, drive too fast, and get into trouble. AWD/4WD does squat to help you stop, and unless you're adept at feathering the throttle, not going to help much taking a turn under control in severe conditions, unless your a pro-drifter. Give too much gas, and the back and a 4x4 will still step out until VSC kicks in to save your sorry you know what.

As mentioned, tires combined with common sense/skill trump everything else in winter. It's the yahoo trying to drive too fast you need to watch out for.
It’s surprising here after first medium snowfall of the year all you see are big 4x4 trucks on their side or upside down in the ditch! “I’m Invincible!”

 

[Optimus]

We average 90 inches of snow per year where I live, and we’ve had as high as 144 inches just a couple years ago. I buy dedicated snow tires (non-studded) and a second set of wheels for all our vehicles. Our hybrid Mav is no different. I run stock size Nokian Hakkapeliitta r5 on it. Winter traction is MUCH IMPROVED over stock all seasons. The rubber compound is softer, and the extra siping holds on to road grit and acts like sandpaper for grip. Some modern snow tires have silica embedded in the rubber too, for extra grip.

On snow and ice, drive like you have a raw egg between your foot and the pedals (in non-emergency situations). It will help avoid slipping. If you are not happy with stock traction, know that you can indeed upgrade tires.

When I ordered our ‘23 Mav in 2022, I speculated that I might want to upgrade trucks someday if Ford ever released an AWD hybrid Mav. Well, Ford did announce the new model recently, but we are happy with the FWD traction at this point. And factoring in the expensive premium it would cost us to switch to a 2025 AWD Hybrid, we are not going to switch trucks.

 

[Blackbelt]

As many have said, winter tires make all the difference. I equate it to footwear. Would you go outside to shovel your driveway wearing flip flops? Of course not, you would wear an appropriate shoe or boot. Same with your vehicle. I have a steep driveway. I had a Prius C with FWD and 4 Firestone Winterforce snow tires. That car climbed the driveway without issue. I tried the same thing in my Ram 1500 4x4 with the stock Goodyear "no season" tires and it couldn't get up the driveway. 4WD doesn't do squat when it comes to steering or braking, it only helps you go. The tires are what makes the difference. I don't have that Ram any longer. My Maverick is a FWD hybrid but i do have a Jeep Renegade 4wd and it has winter tires at all 4 corners. Since i seldom drive it ion the summer, i just leave the winter tires on it year round. It's a 2017 and only has 19K miles.

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