It is that time of the year. The time for families to get together, celebrate, and enjoy the Christmas spirit. But it is also the dawn of winter and an indication of extra care and love for your vehicles. Dropping temperatures, and icy conditions with thick snow, make driving around quite tricky.
There is a full checklist to do on your car before winter kicks in. But the most crucial ones are tires and drivetrain layout. FWD and AWD bring about a lot of differences in terms of driving dynamics. Statistics state that winter causes more accidents due to loss of traction on slippery roads.
Interestingly, FWD cars pack the same number of perks as AWD cars when it comes to driving in winter. It just has to be the right formula for tires and powertrain. If you live in an area with the moderate condition and moderate snowfall, FWD with a good set of winter tires will do the job.
But if the weather at your place is of the extreme type with layers of snow and icy roads, then more detailed operations, most likely, with an AWD-equipped SUV is preferred. That being said, there are cars that you should very much avoid in winter.
We give you a rundown on the benefits and downside of driving both AWD and FWD-equipped cars in the snow.
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Your Car Needs To Be Extra-Prepared For Winter
Falling temperature does a lot of changes to an automobile. All the oils, coolant, washer fluid, and battery needs to be thoroughly checked and replaced if needed. The defroster and heater are needy features that should be checked as well. We will make a checklist on the essential winter-ready tips in another article. But for now, the drivetrain and tires are our focus points.
These two elements are crucial as they are the contact points with the road. Earlier it was thought that 4WD was the best bet for winter. But with the evolving automobile landscape and breakthrough technologies, automakers have been able to make even FWD clever and capable of handling cold conditions. But when it comes to tires, there is no going around the perks offered by winter tires.
Looking At The Basics Of Drivetrains
The differences between FWD, AWD, 4WD, and RWD configurations have been discussed numerous times on the internet. Each has its own set of pros and cons; are simple mechanical concepts that utilize torque in different forms. FWD is the cheapest form, thus the most widely embraced. All entry-level cars and even crossovers come with FWD.
RWD is mostly for the enthusiastic bunch, as it provides individual functions for each axle - steering for the front, and power delivery for the rear. AWD is all about maximum traction and performance. Earlier AWD systems were very inefficient, but now with clever electronics, they can instantly detect and send power only and when needed.
It acts as an automated 4WD system at times. Talking of which, 4WD systems are the most adaptable of this lot and made for no roads. With high and low gear settings, it is the most flexible of the lot. We chose to compare AWD and FWD because that is what most road-going cars pack today.
Related: These Are The 10 Best AWD Sedans On The Market Right Now
AWD Vs FWD: How Do They Fare In Snow?
Winter is the onset of thick snow and slippery ice on the roads. Driving around in freezing weather conditions is the most challenging aspect. If you live in a location that received moderate snowfall, and the roads are mostly kept clear. Then using an FWD is pretty much safe and efficient.
FWD cars have ample natural traction, thanks to the added weight of the engine upfront. But when it comes to high-speed maneuvering, these tend to lose their cool. The weight also helps in breaking as well. Now, if you live in an area with extreme snowfall, then AWD-equipped cars are the way to go.
SUVs should be considered since the thick show can cause your low-slung sedans to get stuck on slushy roads. The added traction from 4 wheels makes all the difference. But even with power being sent to all 4 wheels, facing scenarios with black ice is still risky in an AWD-equipped car.
AWD Vs. FWD: Winter Tires Make All The Difference
Both AWD and FWD-equipped cars can stay afloat in winter, albeit in varying conditions. But the formula is incomplete without winter tires. You see, all-season tires are okay-ish in winters, but those are not the most efficient ones.
Slapping on winter tires brings about a drastic change in handling and traction. These tires add in a layer of confidence. With FWD systems, braking and cornering are improved. And with AWD, traction sees a motivational improvement.
Related: AWD Vs 4WD: This Is How They Are Different
AWD Vs FWD: Which Is Preferred For Driving In Snow?
The answer is either of them. While AWD does have its fair share of advantages when it comes to power delivery and cornering traction, winter makes things tricky. Getting out of thick snow will always be a task for AWD cars. But easy drivability and shorter braking distance happen to be FWD car's forte in winter.
And winter tires are the final piece to solving this puzzle. So, if you are planning to buy a new car and winter driving is on the checklist, then access the weather conditions at your place and choose accordingly. AWD cars fare well in mild winters, but thick snow surely required the added AWD finesse. We can help you with a list of cars that are unstoppable in winter.
Sources: Carfromjapan.com, Repairsmith.com, Webbcars.com,
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Tijo is an engineer, mechanic, gamer, and an avid content creator. He is a grease-monkey who loves tinkering with automobiles every now and then, when not busy penning down his passion for them. He has always had a soft spot for JDM and is keen on diving deep in for anything that involves wheels and engines.
