Wondering what wheel drive is your best bet in snowy weather? You’re not alone. Many drivers believe their vehicle’s drivetrain can make or break their winter commute.
And yes, different drivetrains, from RWD to AWD, perform differently in winter weather. As the system that accelerates your vehicle, drivetrains are important in helping you get unstuck from, say, a snowbank!
However, while all drivetrains have their merits, none of them give your vehicle winter grip. That’s where winter tires come into play.
Your drivetrain gets your vehicle moving but your tires allow you to stop. Winter tires have the traction you need to help you corner and brake successfully in snow. Regardless of what drivetrain your vehicle has, equipping your vehicle with winter tires will help you control your ride in snowy and icy weather.
Do you need a set of snow tires?
SHOP WINTER TIRESBut, which wheel drive is best in snow? We’re going to break it down by each drivetrain type.
ARE FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE CARS GOOD IN SNOW?
Yes, FWD vehicles can be quite good in snow, especially when compared to rear-wheel drive vehicles. We’ll talk more about those later. Front-wheel drive vehicles are often touted as better in winter conditions for a few reasons.
One reason you might’ve heard is that front-wheel drive is able to “pull” your vehicle out of a snowbank, rut or mound of snow.
This is in part because front-wheel drive vehicles have increased weight over the front two wheels (as the name implies), giving them more traction.
Another factor to consider: when a FWD skids, it’s typically an understeer type. This is when the front end loses traction. This loss of traction can be easier to gain control again compared to oversteer, often called “fishtailing,” which is more common on RWD vehicles.
Understeering occurs when your front end loses grip and your vehicle can’t go in the direction you intend. Oversteering occurs when your vehicle’s backend loses grip and causes your vehicle to spin out. While driving, understeering can feel like you’re going straight and oversteering may feel like your vehicle is spinning.
Note that FWD vehicles may not perform as well when cornering in snow. This is because using the same axle for acceleration and steering can overwhelm your tires’ available traction. As a skilled, in-the-know driver, you can mitigate these risks by applying even, consistent pressure to the throttle and avoiding harsh braking.
Ultimately, your drivetrain cannot help you stop, which is the most important factor in driving safety. Investing in a set of winter tires and practicing good winter driving skills will go a long way toward keeping you safe.
IS REAR-WHEEL DRIVE GOOD FOR SNOW?
No, generally speaking, rear-wheel drive (RWD) is not the best drivetrain for snow.
RWD is popular on peppy vehicles like sports cars and muscle cars. You may also see it on some SUVs and pickups. This is because RWD gives an even weight distribution and thus, better handling.
But this means RWD vehicles aren’t great for snow because they have difficulty accelerating on slick surfaces, with a greater possibility of losing control of the backend. If you live in a region that experiences a true winter with wet, slick or snowy roads, RWD isn’t the best option for you. You may even notice that many drivers in these regions garage their sports cars for the duration of the winter driving season.
Pro tip for your RWD vehicle: try adding weight in the trunk to help increase traction.
If you have a RWD vehicle that you don’t want to leave locked throughout the cold weather, we’d suggest a set of winter tires. They’ll offer a huge boost in traction and handling in winter and snowy conditions. That said, we still recommend being gentle on that throttle!
IS ALL-WHEEL DRIVE GOOD IN SNOW?
Answer: Yes, all-wheel drive, or AWD, is generally very good in the snow. But not for the reason you’re thinking.
There’s a misconception that all-wheel drive (AWD)—and four-wheel drive (4WD) for that matter—vehicles are inherently safer in winter.
This is not quite true. Stopping is the most important aspect to avoiding collisions and spin outs. Another important aspect: control. Your drivetrain assists in acceleration, not braking or handling. Your tires (and your driving) are what help stop the vehicle, not necessarily your drivetrain. Besides the level of torque applied, there’s no real difference between a non-AWD and AWD vehicle when it comes to cornering and braking.
Where AWD vehicles do shine is the ability to automatically distribute the correct degree of power to specific wheels. This is good for when traction varies across different parts of a road because it intelligently offers power where it’s needed most. You can think of the “A” in all-wheel drive also standing for “adaptable.” And AWD is always enabled, as opposed to 4WD which often must be turned on.
AWD is a good option for slick roads, but if you’re tackling deep snow off the beaten path, 4WD may be the better choice.
For most people, installing a set of winter tires on their AWD vehicle is considered your best bet for handling winter weather if you live in a developed area.
DOES FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE HELP IN SNOW?
Answer: sometimes. If you live in a region with deep snow, severe weather and roads that are frequently unplowed, 4WD is the way to go.
Four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles deliver equal power to all four wheels. It’s ideal for rough terrain as it's stronger and tougher than AWD. It can help you get out of ditches, snowbanks and other stuck situations better than other options. But, it doesn’t prevent you from getting stuck in the first place. Winter tires can help you avoid the slide.
4WD is a good option in deep snow and more extreme winter conditions or less traveled areas, whereas AWD fares better on paved winter roads. Drivers living in rural communities who tackle rough terrain can benefit from equipping their 4WD vehicle with winter tires, giving them the best traction and acceleration possible.
Something to note is that 4WD systems are often “part time,” meaning that they have to be enabled as opposed to AWD, which is constant.
The best drivetrain is one that works best for your region and the type of driving you do. When it comes to driving in snow, the best way to safely manage winter weather is utilizing winter tires to get the best traction possible.
Ready to roll?
Discount Tire can’t do too much about your drivetrain, but we can definitely advise you on the best tires for winter.
Do you already have a set of winter tires that need installation? We offer winter/snow tire changeover and installation services!
Are tire chains or studded tires a good option for you? Check out our blog about studded tires vs tire chains to find out!
If you’re still not sure, give us a ring or drop in and we’ll help you get the best option possible for you and your vehicle.
Walk-ins are always welcome but we encourage you to buy and make your appointment online first. Buy and book online to save some time!
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