Is it much safer to drive a 4 wheel drive vehicle in rain/snow coniditions? Why, or why not?
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ANSWERS: 13
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yes, i think, 'cos of the extra support at the front...
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Yes, more traction.
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No two wheel drive is better, just lay into the throttle when you corner and be sure to drive an older mustang so you can you use the extra torque to get you out.
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It depends. Four wheel drives tend to induce bravado. Most of the rigs I see wrecked or sliding in bad weather are 4WD. Letting off the gas in a 4WD can lead to a four-wheel lockup. Certain types of 4WD can be dangerous as well. If you have a system that engages the rear wheels when it detects the front tires are spinning then a skid can be a true test of throttle control. Giving it gas causes the rear tires to lose even more lateral grip and slide, worsening your spin. Letting off the gas slows the front wheels but not the rear, causing the rear to pass the front. Now, some AWD systems are great at power transfer and can compensate for human error, even if the only error is reacting in tenths of a seconds instead of hundredths. And for acceleration, you can put down twice as much power as there is twice as much contact patch at the driven wheels. This reduces wheelspin, all else being equal.
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Yes it is, the reason being in a 4WD car you have all 4 wheels driving the car giving it more even and balanced power. What the guy above said about the mustang will just make you end up dead! Dont pay any attention to him. If you are to drive in serious snow or rain I would suggest a specialist course, there cheap and only last a cpl of days.
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Thinker Actually 4WDs only pull on 2 wheels. one in front one in back. Limited slip helps. Lockers of course make all 4 wheels pull but you cannot turn very sharp corners. Four wheel helps you go, but not stop any better than any automobile. If you find yourself skidding out of control on snow or ice or even just rounding a corner put the transmission in neutral or push in the clutch taking all torque off the wheels then steer as in a skid and brake accordingly. Putting the transmission in neutral removes the reverse torque on the wheels allowing them to grip and stop the danger.
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Four wheel drive can help you acceleate, but it still doesn't help you stop. Anti-lock brakes can help, but there's really nothing you can do if your car spins out or starts sliding down a hill sideways. I see same number of stranded or stuck 4WD/AWD SUVs as cars. Saw a tricked out SUV with huge 22" or 24" rims stuck in a ditch last winter. Soccer moms and show-offs be warned. :)
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As long as you remember that 4 wheel drive does not mean you can drive full throttle. You have to drive S-L-O-W... it's about traction, not speed.
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you know, a little bit off topic here, but I'd like to point out that crummy tires, even on a great 4wd drive system with a good computer, can really ruin things. I suggest making sure you have nice tires with good traction (usually NOT the ones the dealership gives you). It's really a worthwhile investment, no matter which wheels you're driving with.
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I fell safer in my 4 wheel drive in rain and snow; but they don't do a thing for you on ice!!!
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They are a little safer, but as SASSY pointed out, They won't be any safer for you on ice.
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Every year "Consumer's Buyer's guide" puts out a book with stats on cars and other things. I used to be terrified when I would read that some sport utility vehicles tip over easily. And that some car's air bags deflate and hurt the people that they are supposed to save, or that children aren't safe in the "suicide" seat (passenger seat), etc. I purchase new cars frequently and read what they have to say and just pick the car that has the type of danger that year that I am willing to endure. Otherwise, I would jump out everytime that the car stopped at a light. Seriously, I get miffed with the designers because they could design something safe. The only worry that we should have should be our own handling skills or lack there of, of the vehicle
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no, you have to know how to drive these. 4wd will help you accelerate and not get stuck, but try to stop a 5k lb vechile in the snow doing 50mph. This happened in PA when a bad storms blow in, people don't want to be immobile so they buy 4wd and have no idea how to drive it, a 4wd truck is more prone to rollover and is hard to stop in the snow and ice. you can get around better in these, but it is not safer. it all depends on the driver
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All things equal, four wheel drive gives a bit of an advantage on slippery roads. However, it helps you go, not stop, which is why so many of the cars in the ditch during snow storms are big SUVs. They get overconfident and drive faster than conditions allow. You don't require AWD to perform well on slick roads though. Studded snowtires, where legal, work wonders. Also, modern cars with ABS, traction control, stability control - they do remarkably well even with two wheel drive. As with AWD they help, they don't change the laws of physics so don't drive beyond the road conditions. Of course, many of today's AWD vehicles also have stability control, etc., and they are even more sure footed. In terms of bang for the buck you're better off with stability control than AWD, but there's nothing wrong with either or both.
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