Proof RWD is Better in the Snow Than FWD! #automobile #wintertires #snow

Is FWD really better than RWD on snow? I test and Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series with identical matching tires to see which is best on snow.

FWD = Front Wheel Drive
RWD = Rear Wheel Drive

[MrJonas]

I think it's the weight transfer in play. Just out of curiosity, it'd be fun to turn the FWD card around and go up the hill in reverse :)

[valum]

Imo snow is never really an issue, it’s the ice that gets you

[tomhunter]

This video really missed the mark. The argument isnt which is more fun or quicker with an experienced driver. Its the inexperienced driver that a fwd is MUCH better for in the snow.

[mufflejoy]

I live in snowy climate. These tests have nothing to do with daily living - front wheel drive is more likely to get you past the ditch to your destination. Couldn't care less about straight line acceleration in snow.

[arvindmohapatra]

There's a flipside, FWD doesn't require as much skill/talent and experience that the RWD counterpart demands, solution - 4WD!

[donovanferrari]

I’ve driven rear wheel drive cars and front wheel drive cars in the snow, and the rear wheel drive cars were always more susceptible to getting stuck. I would like to see a test that is more based on real life driving conditions, and with all-season tires.

[radek.mov.]

From my personal experience I have RWD BMW for 4 years and Honda FWD and like more Honda in winter then BMW... I don't know

[richardm]

Interesting results. The best fwd cars I’ve used in the snow are lightweight hatchbacks with skinny tyres. Anecdotal of course but generally I’d prefer fwd.

[barsaf]

I believe the reason why rwd is better in the hill test specifically is because of weight distribution. Older cars have much more biased weight. Take an early Ford Focus and a similar model year Ford Mustang and do the same hill start test. I'm sure the focus would win.

[andrewbranch]

I live in eastern Canada in a heavy snow area. I can't count the number of times a RWD vehicle is struggling to get going and I just drive around them. I think they're must be quite a bit of weight in the back of this BMW. I will keep my FWD car thanks. I use my car for work and drive 40, 00 km a year

[theRVisme]

It's all about know-how too. Each have pros and cons but if ya know what your doing, they both can work. I for one prefer 4wd but rwd in second for off road.

[kimochi]

The conclusion is absolutely correct.
Always get winter tires!

[RajSharma-uvnx]

Living in Toronto, Canada it’s All Wheel Drive for me with 4 dedicated winter tires all the way!!

[raitis]

Maybe your skills imorove rwd lap time ... regular people should be included in test maybe?

[mrfrenzy.]

So for any normal driver on normal roads with traction control on FWD is superior if you don't want to end up in the ditch.

[johngregory]

In most cases, its the driver that makes the difference. Someone who's familiar with their vehicle and understands slide control and traction limits will always be safer than someone who doesn't have that connection with their vehicle. Actually caring about the subtleties of driving in various conditions is often what separates those who make it home safe...

And thise who don't.

[jamiemedernach]

As someone who drives a truck that doesn't have 4x4 I can say that when I used to drive a fwd sedan they were much better on ice and in heavy snow, but about the same if it wasn't super icy

[dweiss]

What about when trying to move through snow up to the middle of your wheels? I think the FWD may have the advantage. I could be wrong, but I'd be curious to find out.

[v.s.]

I'm so glad that I have a rwd for snow. Snow drifting is just way to much fun...

[larslundholm]

I live in Sweden and have a 525d rwd, perfectly happy with it. Tc kicks in just like a front wheel drive car. Don’t get the fuss about fwd being better in snow…