Rear wheel drive woes...

[IWannaCamaro]

Hey guys, I was thinking about getting a camaro, but I have heard bad things about RWD and fishtailing. I live in a city that gets a lot of snow in t he winter and my pops thinks a RWD car is a dealbreaker whatever the cost. Thoughts?

[Captain Awesome]

FWD is just as dangerous for different reasons. The risks of RWD are just a fabrication of the early days of FWD to get people to adopt this form of drive. Back then, few cars were FWD and everyone had RWD cars and so people were reluctant to try them. The car companies and gov't wanted people in FWD cars because they could make them more fuel efficient and so they cooked up a lot of myths about FWD cars being more "safe" to trick people into adopting them. It worked.

Any car can go out of control in the snow.

However, cars these days come with stability and traction controls which greatly assist the driver in the snow.

Bear in mind that a perfomance car of ANY type will not be great in the snow because of their high horsepower, and wide tires. You will have a handful in any sporty car in ice and snow.

[IWannaCamaro]

Originally Posted by Captain Awesome

FWD is just as dangerous for different reasons. The risks of RWD are just a fabrication of the early days of FWD to get people to adopt this form of drive. Back then, few cars were FWD and everyone had RWD cars and so people were reluctant to try them. The car companies and gov't wanted people in FWD cars because they could make them more fuel efficient and so they cooked up a lot of myths about FWD cars being more "safe" to trick people into adopting them. It worked.

Any car can go out of control in the snow.

However, cars these days come with stability and traction controls which greatly assist the driver in the snow.

Bear in mind that a perfomance car of ANY type will not be great in the snow because of their high horsepower, and wide tires. You will have a handful in any sporty car in ice and snow.

Hmm..I would think that wider tires would be better in the snow. But here is a question for you. If I put snow tires on a Camaro 2010, will it be worse, better, or approximately the same as...say a Mazda 3 2.3L sport in the crappier weather conditions? Also, do you know if there are any recent articles proving RWD or AWD being notably better than the other? My dad mentioned that he remembers people with RWD getting stuck in places he wouldn't even have to think twice crossing in a FWD car. Not sure exactly how recent that was--I was also thinking that the traction control, etc of newer cars makes up for the differences. Thanks again.

[comiskeybum]

i live in south bend, IN and trust me i dont have must trouble in my mustang.

especially with the TCS nowadays. you'll be fine

[AngryAmish]

You will not die in a fiery crash should you drive a RWD in the winter. There are subtle little differances though. Put a little weight in the trunk and you'll be fine.

[nemosgt]

Originally Posted by IWannaCamaro

Hmm..I would think that wider tires would be better in the snow. But here is a question for you. If I put snow tires on a Camaro 2010, will it be worse, better, or approximately the same as...say a Mazda 3 2.3L sport in the crappier weather conditions? Also, do you know if there are any recent articles proving RWD or AWD being notably better than the other? My dad mentioned that he remembers people with RWD getting stuck in places he wouldn't even have to think twice crossing in a FWD car. Not sure exactly how recent that was--I was also thinking that the traction control, etc of newer cars makes up for the differences. Thanks again.

Narrower tires are better. The wide tires pile the snow up in front. Front wheel drive will get you moving easier as the weight is over the drive wheels After that you have your choice. Understeer off the road in the fwd or go off backward with rwd. Laws of physics in effect. Rear drive is fine if you:

1) buy snow tires. If you also get new wheels, make sure they fit over the brakes. All weather tires not good enough if you have to go out every day.
2) leave your traction and stabilty controls on.
3) put some salt or kitty litter in the trunk to add weight over the rear wheels thus improving traction. Can be used under the tires also if you get stuck.
4) drive carefully for the conditions.
5) if weather really bad, take a cab.

Good luck.

Cheers.

[vee8]

no matter what anyone says, it is easier to get around in the winter, with everything being equal, in a front wheel drive car over a rear wheel drive. It's just common sense. Unless, of course, you are driving a volkswagon or a porsche.

[meanmike]

Originally Posted by vee8

no matter what anyone says, it is easier to get around in the winter, with everything being equal, in a front wheel drive car over a rear wheel drive. It's just common sense. Unless, of course, you are driving a volkswagon or a porsche.

RWD's are better now day's but they do not compare too FWD in the snow. Try stopping that RWD car on a hill with snow and then in a FWD car, after that try to continue driving up that hill. If you only have one car and are concerned then FWD AWD or 4WD are the best choices........ No eception's!!!

[scrming]

Originally Posted by meanmike

RWD's are better now day's but they do not compare too FWD in the snow. Try stopping that RWD car on a hill with snow and then in a FWD car, after that try to continue driving up that hill. If you only have one car and are concerned then FWD AWD or 4WD are the best choices........ No eception's!!!

Totally disagree... I put a good set of snow tires on my Mustang and I would comfortable drive down the street with 6 to 8 inches of unplowed snow, while the people in the FWD cars with their all-season tires would sitting and spinning!

[meanmike]

Originally Posted by scrming

Totally disagree... I put a good set of snow tires on my Mustang and I would comfortable drive down the street with 6 to 8 inches of unplowed snow, while the people in the FWD cars with their all-season tires would sitting and spinning!

Try making all thing's fair. Like putting snow tire's on the other car. What about the size of that car and the driver. With all thing's equal the FWD is better in that situation. And they probably were'nt smart enough to realize that flooring it does'nt do any good in the snow.

I use to use my ex wife's old Corsica to pull people out of the ditch in the snow(actually only two) and use too take it mudding and I have no doubt that if it was'nt FWD it would have never done that

[coolman]

I don't like either that's why I park the camaro and drive the jeep in the winter. It always wins over RWD and FWD. RWD works good with a locker and snow tires and thats about it. They are better with Traction control but still not great.

[OUR72GTO]

If you learned to drive BEFORE there were FWD everywhere (like me) the 2010 CAMARO will just be fine in the snow with Actual snow tires vs all season.

I learned how to get the rear back in 40 years ago.... Losing traction is one thing ...loosing the steering at the same time is another.

[Captain Awesome]

Originally Posted by meanmike

Try making all thing's fair. Like putting snow tire's on the other car. What about the size of that car and the driver. With all thing's equal the FWD is better in that situation. And they probably were'nt smart enough to realize that flooring it does'nt do any good in the snow.

I use to use my ex wife's old Corsica to pull people out of the ditch in the snow(actually only two) and use too take it mudding and I have no doubt that if it was'nt FWD it would have never done that

Bzzzzt! Wrong.

Most FWD cars have no option for a limited slip differential. You can get a limited slip in most RWD cars. With that option, you can drive circles around a FWD car on hills and everything else.

[Captain Awesome]

Originally Posted by OUR72GTO

If you learned to drive BEFORE there were FWD everywhere (like me) the 2010 CAMARO will just be fine in the snow with Actual snow tires vs all season.

I learned how to get the rear back in 40 years ago.... Losing traction is one thing ...loosing the steering at the same time is another.

Ding...ding...ding...ding! We have a winnah!