Winter Weather 2017-18 where EVERYONE argues.

[RaceBoarder]

Re: Winter Weather 2017-18 where EVERYONE argues.

This is simply shown by how many 4wd vehicles you see doing 45+mph with snow on the road... Yea, 4wd helps you get going, but it dont do crap to help you stop.

 

[leswp1]

Re: Winter Weather 2017-18 where EVERYONE argues.

Truth. I've had 4 vehicles in my life. A 4Cyl Corsica, a 6Cyl Corsica, a 6Cyl Wrangler, and a 6Cyl Camaro. Never ditched any of those. Zero accidents, minus one scuff a couple weeks ago, in a parking lot that was pure BS. I'm finding that it's not the SUVs that people don't know how to drive, it's the bruh-trucks/aka "I have 4WD, whatever" that are in the ditch. If you look back, we spent 60-70 yrs with RWD and survived...just sayin'.

I had a 66 Chevy RWD but it was a tank and weighed a ton. I swear part of the problem with RWD is how light the cars are now. No Umph.

 

[joecct]

I had a 66 Chevy RWD but it was a tank and weighed a ton. I swear part of the problem with RWD is how light the cars are now. No Umph.

1st car was a 66 Chevy Belair. 250 6cyl and a 2 speed auto. That car was great in the snow!

 

[Kepler]

Re: Winter Weather 2017-18 where EVERYONE argues.

1st car was a 66 Chevy Belair. 250 6cyl and a 2 speed auto. That car was great in the snow!

'73 V8 Plymouth Scamp. Hilariously underappreciated car. Everything I have driven since has felt like a Vespa.

 

[The Sicatoka]

Re: Winter Weather 2017-18 where EVERYONE argues.

As other have stated or paraphrased:

All 4WD does is let you get stuck in places others can't get to.

Some cars have 4WD; all cars have four-wheel stop: Just because you can get going doesn't help you stop.

 

[The Sicatoka]

Re: Winter Weather 2017-18 where EVERYONE argues.

I've driven many different AWD systems (Volvo, Jaguar, Ford, Chevy) through various circumstances.

Subaru's is the one I choose.

 

[GrinCDXX]

Re: Winter Weather 2017-18 where EVERYONE argues.

I've driven many different AWD systems (Volvo, Jaguar, Ford, Chevy) through various circumstances.

Subaru's is the one I choose.

As was mentioned previously, Subaru's system does seem to be unique in that the awd is always engaged. Knowing that, it's not surprising that it would have the edge. Though I've read that Mazda's newer awd system is right there with Subaru.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Winter Weather 2017-18 where EVERYONE argues.

As other have stated or paraphrased:

All 4WD does is let you get stuck in places others can't get to.

Some cars have 4WD; all cars have four-wheel stop: Just because you can get going doesn't help you stop.

And none of it matters if you hit ice.

 

[dxmnkd316]

Re: Winter Weather 2017-18 where EVERYONE argues.

As was mentioned previously, Subaru's system does seem to be unique in that the awd is always engaged. Knowing that, it's not surprising that it would have the edge. Though I've read that Mazda's newer awd system is right there with Subaru.

I don't think that's true. I know Acura's is. <strike>Beyond that, I think most AWDs are full-time. It's whether you have full-time 4WD.</strike>

I've tried to get my MDX sideways just to see how far I can take it. Without taking it on glare ice and doing something stupid, I haven't been able to get it to kick out much at all.

And none of it matters if you hit ice.

That's not entirely true either. If you're going straight, AWD should be able to find the wheels where torque is needed and where it's not. It should automatically change the torque at the wheels to give you your best scenario to maintain traction. Even if all four wheels are on ice, it can still help until you do something stupid like gun it and jerk the steering wheel. I know Acura tested their AWD on a 20% and 30% incline where half the wheels were on ice. You can see an example of why torque vectoring is important. Of the Lexus, Audi, and Acura, only the Acura made it up. (Link) That video is a number of years old (7-8?) so I'm guessing it's only gotten better. I don't know how the new Lexus and Audi systems perform.


Edit: It sounds like Acura's is the only one with torque vectoring. Huh...

 

[GrinCDXX]

Re: Winter Weather 2017-18 where EVERYONE argues.

I don't think that's true. I know Acura's is and almost certainly Audi's as well. Beyond that, I think most AWDs are full-time. It's whether you have full-time 4WD.

Yeah, I very well may be mistaken. Perhaps it's about the default front-rear torque split that sets Subaru apart. I have an awd Honda that I'm pretty sure is purely 2wd during normal conditions. I just assumed that type of system was the norm.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: Winter Weather 2017-18 where EVERYONE argues.

Perhaps it's about the default front-rear torque split that sets Subaru apart.

Subaru actually has 50/50 torque split in most of its manual transmission cars, and 60/40 in automatics (or CVT's).

By definition AWD is just that... All Wheel Drive, all of the time. Otherwise it's a part time 4 Wheel Drive system. Another misnomer is Full Time 4 Wheel Drive... that's really All Wheel Drive. At the end of the day it's all marketing hype. What really sets today's vehicle's apart from the older ones are the stability control systems.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Winter Weather 2017-18 where EVERYONE argues.

Subaru actually has 50/50 torque split in most of its manual transmission cars, and 60/40 in automatics (or CVT's).

By definition AWD is just that... All Wheel Drive, all of the time. Otherwise it's a part time 4 Wheel Drive system. Another misnomer is Full Time 4 Wheel Drive... that's really All Wheel Drive. At the end of the day it's all marketing hype. What really sets today's vehicle's apart from the older ones are the stability control systems.

My old Wrangler had 4WD which could be engaged on the fly. Otherwise it was 2WD. It was driver's choice on when to engage 4WD.

 

[dxmnkd316]

Re: Winter Weather 2017-18 where EVERYONE argues.

Yeah, I very well may be mistaken. Perhaps it's about the default front-rear torque split that sets Subaru apart. I have an awd Honda that I'm pretty sure is purely 2wd during normal conditions. I just assumed that type of system was the norm.

I've edited my original post. It's hard to tell since manufacturers are changing their AWD systems trying to play catch-up to Subaru. Acura seems to have done that with the suite of sensors and technology. Quattro has a different setup than both Subaru and Acura though. They're all probably better for their own set of conditions.

My SUV is generally 60-70% FWD and 30-40% RWD under normal highway conditions. If I jam on the gas on dry pavement it changes that completely.

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

Re: Winter Weather 2017-18 where EVERYONE argues.

I've had 2 VW vehicles, both with the 4Motion AWD system. Both have been in the Northern NY winter weather, and I was pleased with both.

My current ride, VW Touareg, did a heck of a job when I drove up there a couple years ago. Had the whole mix spectrum from PA to Albany, and the car didn't have any issues at all.

Of course, again and has been said, being a smart driver in crap conditions helps a lot.

 

[Kepler]

Re: Winter Weather 2017-18 where EVERYONE argues.

I've had 2 VW vehicles, both with the 4Motion AWD system. Both have been in the Northern NY winter weather, and I was pleased with both.

My current ride, VW Touareg, did a heck of a job when I drove up there a couple years ago. Had the whole mix spectrum from PA to Albany, and the car didn't have any issues at all.

Of course, again and has been said, being a smart driver in crap conditions helps a lot.

Well, the smart drivers probably pull over at the first motel. But caution and experience will help the determined not so smart driver get through.

 

[burd]

Re: Winter Weather 2017-18 where EVERYONE argues.

I've had 2 VW vehicles, both with the 4Motion AWD system. Both have been in the Northern NY winter weather, and I was pleased with both.

My current ride, VW Touareg, did a heck of a job when I drove up there a couple years ago. Had the whole mix spectrum from PA to Albany, and the car didn't have any issues at all.

Of course, again and has been said, being a smart driver in crap conditions helps a lot.

My sister lives in SLC and loves to spend time in the Mountains, which are literally in her back yard. Steep to get to her place. She drove a Touareg for years but switched to Subaru--Outback I think. I liked her vw, and so did she, but she's really happy with the Subaru.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: Winter Weather 2017-18 where EVERYONE argues.

This is simply shown by how many 4wd vehicles you see doing 45+mph with snow on the road... Yea, 4wd helps you get going, but it dont do crap to help you stop.

45mph? If you can't go more than that with snow on the road, you suck at driving. I have driven in snow my whole life, and I drive fast in snow. I have never went in the ditch. First, you don't drive fast when you are behind someone, because you won't be able to stop, second, you actually think ahead, and if there is a curve, you start slowing down earlier. It isn't that hard, and if you don't suck at driving, driving in the snow is easy, even at higher speeds.

 

[Kepler]

Re: Winter Weather 2017-18 where EVERYONE argues.

Why drive at high speeds in snow at all, though?

I've never had problems with driving in snow because I'm a safe driver anyway. That consists of paying f-cking attention. I can't count the number of accidents I have avoided because I saw dangerous situations starting to develop well ahead of reaching them and because I always leave myself a ton of space fore and aft. Part of that is making sure the speeding or weaving dipsh-t gets way ahead of me so I can watch his fiery death with amusement from a safe distance.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Winter Weather 2017-18 where EVERYONE argues.

Why drive at high speeds in snow at all, though?

I've never had problem with driving in snow because I'm a safe driver anyway. That consists of paying f-cking attention. I can't count the number of accidents I have avoided because I saw dangerous situations starting to develop well ahead of reaching them and because I always leave myself a ton of space fore and aft. Part of that is making sure the speeding or weaving dipsh-t gets way ahead in the distance so I can watch his fiery death with amusement from a safe distance.

I think by high speeds bbdl means the speed limit. My ride on Sat was mostly doing 60-65 in a 65mph zone (driving a mini-van), and it was some pretty harsh weather as far as snow and visibility. Had no issues outside the occasional slippage getting going at stoplights, which are notorious for ice and lack of traction. As you said, keep your space, pay attention to the vehicles around you, etc.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: Winter Weather 2017-18 where EVERYONE argues.

I think by high speeds bbdl means the speed limit. My ride on Sat was mostly doing 60-65 in a 65mph zone (driving a mini-van), and it was some pretty harsh weather as far as snow and visibility. Had no issues outside the occasional slippage getting going at stoplights, which are notorious for ice and lack of traction. As you said, keep your space, pay attention to the vehicles around you, etc.

Yeah, I am talking speed limit. I'm not going to be going 80 out there, but I also don't think going 40 on the highway is a good idea either, that is unsafe.