How is RWD + Snow?

"Stupidru" (Schm1an)
10/28/2014 at 12:58 • Filed to: None

Looking for a replacement for one of our cars which may need some hefty repairs of the unknown variety, and the wife told me I get to drive said new car. I'm looking for something that's fun, grown-up, and reliable, while still not breaking the bank. I've decided a Lexus IS250 would fit the bill nicely, but with AWD it's auto only. Sad times. However, they make a RWD with a proper 6-speed. NICE! But seeing as I've never driven RWD more than here and there, I'm asking you guys— how is RWD in winter if you're not a complete dumbass with your right foot and throw some winter tires on?

Thanks!

DISCUSSION (61)

macanamera > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 12:58

With some snow tires, it's lovely.

Corz > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 12:59

I've been driving RWD pickups through the snow since 99. With proper snow tires, you'll be fine.

For Sweden > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 13:01

Stick to roads and use snow tires and you'll be fine.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 13:04

Fun.

But, not hard to drive at all, even on all seasons.

Milky > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 13:04

If you don't drive in snow with RWD I hate you.

T5Killer > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 13:04

I drove my Cobra in snow no problems. Just be gentle with power and take it slow. We don't get enough snow for snow tires but with good all seasons it did great better than my 240 Volvo infact LOL.

Scorpio GTX1 > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 13:06

Ann ///M here bought a BMW M Coupe as a winter car in Minnesota. So yeah, it can definitely be done.

Sweet Trav > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 13:06

A 1991 2wd S10, with a 2.8l V6, T-5 Manual transmission, Limited slip diff, Snow tires and 200lbs over the rear axle was the best winter vehicle I ever had.

Takuro Spirit > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 13:08

It's all about ground clearance and careful throttle modulation. If you can clear the deep snow if its not plowed, and get traction to get going (stop lights facing uphill are FUNSIES) you'll be fine.

Even with just all seasons.

Kinja'd!!!

Sweet Trav > Milky
10/28/2014 at 13:09

Kinja'd!!!

Milky Hates ME?

BrainForest > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 13:10

As long as your tires aren't shitty, it's not a problem, just a different feel. Enjoy drifting through corners!

anothermiatafanboy > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 13:10

I drove my Miata through two Wisconsin winters. I wouldn't have made it on all seasons, but with a dedicated set of snow tires, how capable it was in the snow astounded me.

HammerheadFistpunch > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 13:10

It will certainly get you by, but its not going to be as easy as an AWD car in the snow. No matter how good a snow tire is, its still only 100% of torque divided by 2 tiny contact patches when you are trying to start on a slippery hill. Other than that, if you have good VSC and a the right techniques, you should be fine.

Stupidru > BrainForest
10/28/2014 at 13:11

I do all the time with AWD and it's awesome. Just give it more throttle and you'll straighten out just fine

Stupidru > anothermiatafanboy
10/28/2014 at 13:12

I'm in Wisconsin as well, so that's good to know. Although I imagine those skinny tires helped quite a bit

kiwi_matt > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 13:13

With good snow tires I find it more predictable than a FWD car. Ignore people that say it's dangerous, they don't know what they are talking about.

anothermiatafanboy > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 13:14

Well, they didn't hurt anything. But an IS250 doesn't exactly have meats on the back...

Rock Bottom > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 13:15

ProTip: Skinnier tires work WAY better on snowy roads. If you have a choice of sizes that will fit on your rim, pick the skinny ones.

Tohru > anothermiatafanboy
10/28/2014 at 13:15

Wisconsin, fuck yeah!

deekster_caddy > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 13:16

The key is not being a total dumbass. Also having a nice heavy car with some good weight over the rear wheels. And snow tires.

I used to DD my '73 LeSabre. It was superb in the snow. Never had snow tires, never got stuck, even in some crazy deep stuff. The only time I had a problem was on too-wide bald tires... I can't blame the car for that, just the driver.

Stupidru > Rock Bottom
10/28/2014 at 13:17

Been there done that. My underpowered NA Impreza with 205s was so much better than my LGT with 225s

Tohru > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 13:18

As a Wisconsinite, RWD in the snow is very easy if you know what you're doing. I've driven a '76 Delta 88, '92 Caprice, '99 S-10 reg. cab shortbed, and '86 C10 longbed in the snow - all RWD on all-seasons.

My dad used to DD a pair of Camaros year round - a'91 RS V8 and a '96 V6 - without issues.

Stupidru > Tohru
10/28/2014 at 13:19

Well howdy fellow Wisconsinite!

thismightbemylastburner > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 13:19

Its freakin sweet. I live in Wisconsin and we had a lot of snow last year. I bought a 4WD Blazer to use for not getting stuck. As it turns out, I only ever used the four wheel when I went out on the lake. Out there is several feet of snow off the trails. The trails themselves are rutted and, obviously, ice. So its neccessary out there. But out on the road, rear wheel deal was too much fun and completely fine even through a handfull of inches on the road.

Lots of Miata people put on Blizzacks and do just fine. Even a couple with adjustable suspension raised the ride height over stock and dominated the streets.

ColoradoTaco > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 13:20

I once got passed by a 540i on a snow-packed Berthoud Pass. RWD is just fine if you have the proper tires.

Audi-os, Amigos! > For Sweden
10/28/2014 at 13:22

Is the reason RWD + snow has a bad reputation because the front wheels are more weighed down by the engine, thus the idea that the rear wheels might not get the grip they need in the snow?

I'm not asking if this is right, but is that the prevailing logic?

Dusty Ventures > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 13:23

With good snow tires and common sense it can be driven in the snow no problem. That said, in our experience we've found it takes less snow to immobilize our RWD cars (two Town Cars) than our FWD (Caravan/Taurus/Focus) or our AWD (Outback). In other words, when there's, say, seven inches of powder in the parking lot and street and the plows haven't come yet we can drive the FWD and AWD cars no problem but the Town Cars are stuck. We've had similar results driving up icy slopes.

Stupidru > thismightbemylastburner
10/28/2014 at 13:23

I'm also in WI, so that's good to know!

RotaryLover > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 13:24

As long as it has snow tires and some weight on the back, it will be ok. LSD is a BIG plus!

Sam > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 13:24

Just be careful. Remember that the answer to oversteer is neither MOAR POWAHHHH nor is it SLAM ON THE BRAKES and you'll be fine. A manual will make it a bit easier too, as you won't have engine attempting to downshift mid slide.

Stupidru > Dusty Ventures
10/28/2014 at 13:25

Well I guess that's good to know. Not that I was expecting it to be better than my Subarus with snow tires, but I just didn't know if I'd be just spinning the tires all day long

Stupidru > RotaryLover
10/28/2014 at 13:25

No LSD in the IS unless you get the F :(

For Sweden > Audi-os, Amigos!
10/28/2014 at 13:25

That's a prevailing idea because it can be true with RWD pickups. But pickups by design have a very forward biased weight distribution. Throw some sandbags and chains in the back and you'll be fine. Also, you'll have sand and chains in case you get really stuck.

Stupidru > Sam
10/28/2014 at 13:26

So if I'm caught with some oppo mid-turn, just give it some gas but don't smash the throttle?

BoulderZ > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 13:28

I've driven my 2wd '89 Toyota in PA, VA, and CO winters since 1992 with no problem. I used to just use all seasons, and as long as they had more than 50% of their original tread, it was fine, then it'd kind of get a little slicker after that. If you really wanted to break the rear loose, just pop the clutch and mash the gas a bit and you could do parking lot donuts and deliberately slide turns, which was kind of fun. I kept chains in the toolbox, just in case, but I never needed them. After I turbo'd it, it was way too easy to make the rear break loose without being very careful with the throttle. So, I switched to 29" BFG TA/KO's and added a TrueTrac LSD. Great traction and drivability now. No problems all last winter, which was fairly snowy for us. I'm sure it's easier with AWD, but that'd be overkill and expense/complexity for no reason in my case.

RotaryLover > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 13:30

Still not an issue. Let's just say that with an LSD, an good to drive RWD cars becomes a AMAZING car to drive in snow that won't get stuck! My NC had poor winter tires and no weight in the rear and despite that, I never got stuck thanks to the LSD. If I had an open diff, I would be fucked. Just get the best tires you can have (don't mess with that, get the BEST) and put 1-3 bags of sand (salt is not a good idea, trust me) and have fun.

BrainForest > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 13:32

I've never actually driven AWD, but I expect my next to be a Subie.

Sam > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 13:32

My strategy was to feel it out. Sometimes 0 throttle is the answer, just let the slide do it's thing and manage your steering. Other times, feathering the gas and brake are the answer.

Also, make sure to throw some sandbags or a few bags of kitty litter in the trunk. They give weight over the rear axle and can save you if you get stuck in a drift.

Stupidru > BrainForest
10/28/2014 at 13:36

3 Subarus with 3 expensive engine repairs and I'll never buy another 2.5L Subaru, turbo or not

Dusty Ventures > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 13:37

I don't know how prompt your local works department is with snow clearing, but if they usually get most of it cleared out quickly you should be fine. If it takes a while (I'm on a side street that usually doesn't get plowed for at least 24 hours and half the time doesn't get plowed at all), then you'll want to buy a good shovel

Stupidru > Dusty Ventures
10/28/2014 at 13:39

Where I live is awesome at getting snow cleared- 2 years ago they ran out of salt mid-January. Where I work is awesome at getting snow cleared. In between is no-man's land and it's all country roads that are rarely plowed before I leave for work

Evil-B > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 13:39

Its not bad i drive my wife 92 crown vic (no snow tires). There are many funz to be had

Rock Bottom > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 13:55

They you're ahead of the curve! You'd swear 90% of people think wider tires will save them in the snow. They obviously don't watch Scandinavian rally races!

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 14:00

With snow tires it's not really any different than fwd. I daily drove my Challenger SRT8 for 3 years in the harsh Alberta winters and I've never had an issue.

Kinja'd!!!

With all seasons on the other hand it's barely fucking drivable. Tires make ALL the difference.

RWD with snow tires is better than AWD on all seasons.

Mattbob > Audi-os, Amigos!
10/28/2014 at 14:07

its because if your rear wheels slip from power, you spin (worst case scenario) and crash and die. If your front wheels slip, you keep going the direction you were going. With proper tires, it's quite manageable.

Coty > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 14:18

Weight plays a big factor too. A big luxobarge will be better than an RX-7.

ly2v8-Brian > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 14:19

It works just fine. I have done so for several winters in MN

Coty > Audi-os, Amigos!
10/28/2014 at 14:20

To add to what For Sweeden said, I drove a 4WD pickup all last winter and only put it in 4x4 a handful of times, but I had sandbags and shit in the bed. I could've gone all winter without 4x4, but why would you if you had it.

Sometimes there was more weight in the bed than sandbags but the bags were always there.

Kinja'd!!!

ly2v8-Brian > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
10/28/2014 at 14:26

Barely drivable? Not at all. Had good success last winter with all seasons and zero weight in the box.

Audi-os, Amigos! > Coty
10/28/2014 at 14:32

Ford Rangers are so cool.

Juan Tawn > Audi-os, Amigos!
10/28/2014 at 14:44

Even with similar weight distribution a RWD car will, generally, be a bit easier to put into a spin when turning.

As to the main question, RWD is not as hard in the snow as some people make it out to be; and, as with anything, practice will make "perfect." There was a time when most cars were RWD. Although accident rates have changed, most people seemed to make it out alive from the time period when RWD was dominant.

Coty > Audi-os, Amigos!
10/28/2014 at 15:06

Kinja'd!!!

Just got new tires for it, looks so much better.

'94 4.0L with a 5 speed, 225k, driven everyday.

Sinanigans > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 15:35

Snow tires make a night and day difference - and that's an understatement. Throw a few bags of kitty litter in the trunk and your car should do well in the snow. It's not gonna accelerate like an AWD car, but you should be just fine if you're easy with the throttle.

Well balanced car + snow tires + manuel + traction control = safe (and FUN) driving in the snow.

Thor's Hammered > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 15:46

Wisconsin here as well. I had a G35 Coupe 6-speed that I drove year round with no troubles for a couple years. With a lighter RWD car, just get some winter tires. Then I drove a Cadillac STS for the last 4 winters using only All Seasons. I never had too much trouble unless we really got dumped on. Then hills were not fun. That's a much heavier car though. This year will be my first with my XF, but I have a set of Pirelli SottoZero's that will be going on in a month or so.

Too many M's > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 17:09

I've driven RWD cars with snow tires in Germany for the last ten years. No issues here and none from the literal thousands of others here to do the same.

ranwhenparked > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 19:28

Totally fine, as long as you have snow tires. I've lived in Pennsylvania and upstate New York my whole life and have never owned anything other than RWD. The one winter when I procrastinated on buying snow tires for a new car sucked, but every other one has been zero issues.

deekster_caddy > Stupidru
10/28/2014 at 20:41

With RWD it's quite different than AWD this way - more throttle will keep the back end going the way it was. Less will bring it back, but too little can make it snap right on past and go sailing off the other direction. The key is practice. Go play in an empty parking lot before it gets plowed and you'll get the hang of it. Snow tires make it all manageable, but you can still go play/practice if you have defeatable traction control.

deekster_caddy > Sweet Trav
10/28/2014 at 20:42

It helps to be underpowered!

wallaby13 > Audi-os, Amigos!
10/28/2014 at 22:10

That, and a few other factors. Most RWD cars tend to be powerful and light weight. Combine low friction and you are left with a car that is very prone to over steer. Understeer is desired for saftey because it doesn't send you spinning off the road like Oversteer does.

Milky > Sweet Trav
10/29/2014 at 09:17

Not you personally.

Kinja'd!!!

Sidenote, super busy at work (and at home) because of meetings today, but I'll get to that 'shop soon.

Fed(oo=[][]=oo)uken > Stupidru
10/29/2014 at 13:14

In a word, fun. In two words, get snow tires. In three words, it takes practice. In four words, LSD makes it easier. In five words, conservation of momentum is key. In six words..