What Type Of Power Train Option Is Best for Driving in the Snow or Ice?

“Tips For Driving in Adverse Winter Weather Conditions.” Colonial Driving School, 5 Feb. 2018, https://colonialdrivingschool.com/blog/tips-driving-adverse-winter-weather-conditions/.

With winter weather quickly approaching, it is now more important than ever to find a vehicle that can handle the snow, ice and rain safely. Good snow tires and a safe driver are the keys to a safe trip, and picking a car with the right drive is what will help make all that easier.

All wheel drive (AWD) is a system that is most often advertised as the safest option for difficult weather and for good reason. When driving in snow or ice, the main goal to keep good control of the vehicle is good traction. Traction is how much grip your tires have with the road beneath them. In AWD vehicles, the system can determine which wheels have the most traction and send the most power to those. It can also determine, in the case of slipping or loss of control, which tires are slipping and reduce the amount of power being sent to those wheels. 

With rear wheel drive (RWD) vehicles, all the power goes to the back wheels and with front wheel drive (FWD) all of it goes to the front. This is good to keep fuel costs down and while can handle most moderate weather conditions fairly well, they lack the advanced traction system that AWD systems can provide in more severe winter weather. 4-wheel drive (4WD) is also a good option as generally 4WD vehicles are RWD until 4WD is needed. Some systems have the driver in control of when to switch from RWD to 4WD, others have an automatic system that engages the front wheels when slippage or loss of control is detected. In a permanent 4WD vehicle, all wheels receive power at all times.

As far as severe weather conditions driving goes, it is better to stick with an AWD or 4WD system however no matter which drive you choose, a good set of snow tires and attentiveness to the road is the best way to maximise the safety of any system. Contact BCR Automotive to help you get the most reliable vehicle at the best price!