Do You Really Need AWD? Settling The Winter Tire Debate

Do you really need winter tires, and do you really need AWD?

Snow covered roads tend to create a debate surrounding snow tires and all-wheel drive – is it all really necessary? In this video we’ll compare summer, all-season, and winter tires performance in the snow, and also discuss the purpose and merits of all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive combined with winter tires can provide confident driving in harsh winter conditions. But what about electric cars? Winter tires pose a unique challenge to electric cars, as they are generally louder, which is more noticeable in EVs. Winter tires also tend to have higher rolling resistance, which reduces your range in an EV. Finally, winter tires use softer compounds, meaning more wear when used by a heavy EV. To maximize winter performance, compromise is inevitable, but Hankook seeks to combat these challenges with their latest tire offering, the iON i*cept winter tire, designed specifically for EVs. Watch to learn all about it!

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[EngineeringExplained]

**Important Note!** At 1:37 the equation should read: change in velocity squared (ΔV^2). The calculations use the correct equation, so the numbers presented are still valid, I simply mistyped the equation - apologies!

[zuprlazeh]

In Finland the winter tire debate is bit different. Everyone uses winter tires and it has been mandatory by law. But the debate is whether to use studded or studdles tires. Studded tires are better on icy roads whereas studdles are more silent and don't damage roads as much. It can cause really heated debates sometimes.

[tonybowen]

I'm from Michigan and live in Denver now. Didn't get winter tires until two years ago on a Sonata. Went from terrified to drive when it heavily snows to wanting to drive. The difference is insane.

[recoilrob]

Many summer performance tires have a minimum temperature recommendation that should not be ignored. Our body shop did repairs on a 370Z that had failed to negotiate a turn and wiped the side out on the guard rail. Driver swore he'd taken that curve hundreds of times at even higher speeds successfully so this crash really caught him off guard. I asked how cold it was that day...and he thought a minute then said 'It was pretty cold now that you mention it'. Went to look at the tires and they had a warning to not drive on them below 40F as they could be dangerous. Just something to think about if you're planning on getting UHP summer tires.

[YewtBoot]

Thanks for focusing friction on braking. Too many new drivers here in Alaska say, "I have 4WD or AWD. I don't need snow tires." They're frequently the ones in the ditch on their sides or roofs after the first snowfall.

[zlatiyanstoykov]

I want to see a test of the "best"/most expensive all season tire vs the "worst"/cheapest snow tire put head to head.

[noldevin]

For the one year I daily drove my mustang, it was amusing passing by stuck SUVs with my snow tires. However, stopping while trying to go up a snowy hill was definitely a bit of an Achilles heel.

[JoeOggier]

The biggest thing I tell everyone is that the coefficient of friction between you and the road matters more than anything else.
They don't like to believe me.

SO, I thank Jason for making these videos. Because, even though I'm a MechE myself, the fact that Jason is a successful Engineering YouTuber is all the credibility needed to 'convince' friends, family, acquaintances and coworkers that YES TIRES ARE IMPORTANT. I send these to everybody!!

Thanks for being awesome!

[aaronschug]

I think a variable missing here is the cornering stability between all these tires in snow. I see a lot of people lose traction cornering in winter conditions. It would be interesting to see the lateral G's and maybe a slalom test with all tires/drivetrain types in snow conditions.

[JohnAgnew-uu]

Jason, recently I listened to a talk that started out: "I won't throw facts at you", I greatly appreciate facts and numbers in lieu of ethical assertions. So, a big THANK YOU.

[shay]

As someone that owns multiple vehicles (AWD, 4WD, and 2wd) and run summer tires, all-seasons, and winter tires I can not stress enough to never drive in snow or on ice with summer tires. Tire manufacturers actually recommend not to drive on summer tires once the temp drops to 40 degrees. I once pulled my car that runs only summer tires out of the garage onto the driveway and when pulling back in hit a small patch of ice on just the front passenger tire and I had no control of the car and it almost slid right into the house. Best description I could give is it I was like driving on marbles.

As for winter tires one thing not mentioned in this video is they are much more stable making turns in snow and on ice, something people find out doesn't always work out when they have 4wd/AWD yet are only running all-season tires.

[donaldlundee]

I’m in MN and it’s crazy how much better snow tires are in my fwd car than in my old awd suv with all season. I switched over last year and it was really noticeable.

[Megavoltamper]

My classmate's father got a Jaguar and told me, that the transmission has a "winter program" so the winter tires are not needed and they are expensive anyway.
I hope the brakes had a "winter program" too. :D

[heavenst.murgatroyd]

Here in Northern Alaska, we do not mandate winter tire use, other than having your studded tires changed before certain dates to protect the roads. But even at temps as low as -60's °F and heavy snows, not everyone uses a dedicated winter tire. And you can usually see these people on your way to work. They're the ones in the median, with the wheels pointed towards the stars.

[aarone]

Coastal Maine checking in…

Wife’s SUV- AWD with studded snow tires.
My truck - 4wd and 3PMS tires

Tires are the most important factor when it comes to safely driving on winter roads. AWD and 4wd allow the vehicle to take advantage of the additional grip provided by the tires.

[richarddsmarais]

One factor that also makes a huge difference is temperature... Anything below 7 degrees C, the winter tire makes a difference, let alone at -20 degrees C like what we get in Québec...Even on dry pavement, your stopping distances will dramatically increase with a summer tire. BTW we have a mandatory winter tire rule from December to mid-March.
Cheers

[LionRunner]

This reminds me few tests O'Neil Rally School conducted and claimed I quote O'Neil Rally School "When you're in 4WD, the front and rear axles are mechanically linked by the driveshafts and transfer case. The front and rear will turn at the same speed, regardless of whether you're on the gas, coasting, or on the brakes. Your brakes send 70% pressure to the front and 30% to the rear, but in 4WD the front and rear axles are connected so you end up with 50-50 brakes front and rear. This is much better on snow and ice.". And I seem them on the replies on comment to viewers AWD vehicles can't do this. I think its because AWD vehicles depend on electro magnetic or viscous coupling. Wish Jason can prove this wrong (or not) with a equal weight equal contact patch same tire AWD vs 4WD.

[deanrhodenizer]

Thank you for this analysis. It never ceases to amaze me about the effort that is taken to make tires better year after year. Twenty years ago I considered tire design a black art. today, the thinking that goes in is truly extraordinary.

[robertmcmanus]

Having lived in Rockies most of my life and an avid powder skier, more people get them selves in trouble with AWD/4WD and all-seasons than do FWD with winters. Yes the AWD car might have have more traction going up a mountain pass and can get you to the top faster, but all cars have 4 wheel braking so once you're in the downhill and usually completely off throttle(if not engine braking) with cornering and decelerating on switchbacks, drivetrain matters less and the grippier tires reign supreme. Can't tell you how many Subarus, 4 runners, etc I've seen spun out over the years driving by in my maxima with Blizzaks.

p.s. one additional interesting thing is that traditionally 4wd has shorter braking distance in snow than AWD. Sounds impossible, but it makes sense because the low traction scenario means that the front end never gets the load and so the the front tires will lock up before the rears could apply all their usable braking power. With 4wd the rear axel is locked 50/50 (via the transfer case) with the front, effectively mechanically applying the brakes to the rears, whereas with the AWD, the center differential doesn't accomplish. Some newer AWD SUV's have variable condition braking and so you can set the vehicle for snow which allows more braking power to the rear to account for this

[gotseoul]

Lived in central NY my whole life, many years ago I had a Regal GS with the optional 20" 5 spoke rims. They came wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero's for summer. Got some all seasons for that winter and literally would get stuck on the smallest inclines. The next winter and $1800 later I wrapped them in 20" Blizzaks and was BEASTING through the snow. Was a FWD car.