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Is rear-wheel-drive good in the snow?
I’m taking my Mustang to the mountains next weekend to visit some friends. One of my friends warned me that my car’s rear-wheel-drive might not cut it on those snowy roads. Is that true? Is rear-wheel-drive good for use in the snow?
Melanie Johnson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
What a fun trip! I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your friend is right:
rear-wheel-drive is not good to drive in the snow
. Front- or all-wheel-drive would be much better for snow.Why isn’t rear-wheel-drive safe in the snow?
- Weight distribution: There is less weight on the drive wheels in rear-wheel-drive vehicles, so the car will have a harder time accelerating on icy streets.
- Traction: When a rear-wheel-drive vehicle loses traction and the wheels spin, it has a propensity to oversteer—leading the back end of the car to swing out. All-wheel-drive vehicles tend to understeer—meaning, the wheel is turned, but the car keeps going forward.
- Performance car: Most performance cars and snow just don’t mix. Their tires are designed for warm weather, they’re hard to control in low-traction environments, and they have low clearance.
This doesn’t mean you have to cancel your trip! Maybe you can borrow a friend’s car for the weekend if their insurance allows for it or consider renting. Hope you have a wonderful time!
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- Gregory R.
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