-Bob- wrote:
> On Tue, 11 May 2004 23:57:11 GMT, Bill Bradley
> > wrote:
>
>> If FWD slips you can't steer either, it's just that most FWD cars have
>>a front weight bias (due to having the engine, transmission, and other
>>such bits up front) so you have more traction all other things being equal.
>
> The point exactly - and the reason FWD has an advantage over RWD (in
> general, you can always find exceptions). Most FWD cars have less than
> optimal weight distribution with a front bias. This is a feature in
> the snow (probably for acceleration too as it helps fight the FWD
> front end lift issue).
>
> Give me a RWD car for *limit* handling. Give me a FWD car for snow.

You have to be careful how you use the term "advantage." If you mean
"doesn't get stuck in snow" then FWD _can_ have an advantage with their
weight bias, BUT that's not the whole story. For one thing, how many
FWD cars come with limited slip or a locking differential? Not a lot.
A RWD with limited slip or locker will be at an advantage getting
started in many low traction conditions (of course AWD with LSD or
lockers trumps both, but "AWD" with open diffs often loses).
As a second point you've just stated that a RWD will *handle* better in
the snow. How's that you may ask? The "limit" of handling applies no
matter what the coefficient of friction. The same factors that make a
RWD corner better at speed make it corner better in poor traction. The
recommendation for where to put the "good" set of tires (if you have one
better set) for winter is on the rear tires... to prevent skidding.
That same front weight bias makes FWD more likely to spin out when
cornering or braking. I won't call that an "exception" just a trade-off.
I play both sides of this issue myself, I have a Saab 900SPG and a E30
BMW 325 and I've been in situations where either one would have been the
better choice (Saab loses goes up slippery hills with an open diff and
FWD, BMW gets stuck when you need traction on the _front_ wheels to turn
out of a tight space even when the rear tires are moving the car)

Bill