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> they're safer when it snows and winter Are they actually safer or do they just give the driver a false sense of security? Assuming it actually has 4WD/AWD (a

by kloch 4y ago

> they're safer when it snows and winter Are they actually safer or do they just give the driver a false sense of security? Assuming it actually has 4WD/AWD (and most don't), that only helps you "go" and does nothing for "stop" as all cars have four wheel brakes. One exception to this is being able to keep going in very rural areas where any rescue attempt would take too long. However, even this can fail with a false sense of security and poor judgement: https://www.11alive.com/article/news/nation-world/man-stranded-snow-drone-rescue-willamette-national-forest/283-020c38a8-41a2-45d8-bb0a-d98017494006 https://www.11alive.com/article/news/nation-world/man-strand... > Of the dozens of missions we have had this winter involving a vehicle stuck in the snow, nearly all of them were 4x4 vehicles and almost all of the drivers told us, "I didn’t think I would get stuck." I've found that EV's have a significant advantage in snow due to very precise torque control compared to an automatic or manual transmission. Even my Prius does surprisingly well in snow with fresh tires up to it's ~6" ground clearance.

dukeofdoom 4y ago
SUVs have bigger tires, and thus better grip. Much better snow clearance too. Also, my parents both axels on their cars two times from winter pot holes. Cars can be made cheaper, and it really shows. Budget car vs Budget SUV, It's not even close. Also, electric battery range almost halves in cold weather.
- bradlys 4y ago
  > SUVs have bigger tires, and thus better grip. Have you ever considered the reason they have bigger tires is because... they're bigger vehicles and therefore need bigger tires to have the same amount of grip as a smaller vehicle?
dsfyu404ed 4y ago
>Are they actually safer or do they just give the driver a false sense of security? Assuming it actually has 4WD/AWD (and most don't), that only helps you "go" and does nothing for "stop" as all cars have four wheel brakes. No amount of snow tire fanboy circle jerking will make up for the fact that doubling the number of driven tires lets an AWD vehicle can leisurely drive up the kinds of residential streets and driveways that are a "pick up some speed and send it" affair in a FWD vehicle equipped with snow tires. Source: I drive a FWD station wagon with snow tires.
- abenga 4y ago
  Is there a rule that sedans and wagons cannot drive four wheels?

by kloch 4y ago

dukeofdoom 4y ago

SUVs have bigger tires, and thus better grip. Much better snow clearance too. Also, my parents both axels on their cars two times from winter pot holes. Cars can be made cheaper, and it really shows. Budget car vs Budget SUV, It's not even close. Also, electric battery range almost halves in cold weather.

bradlys 4y ago
> SUVs have bigger tires, and thus better grip. Have you ever considered the reason they have bigger tires is because... they're bigger vehicles and therefore need bigger tires to have the same amount of grip as a smaller vehicle?

dsfyu404ed 4y ago

>Are they actually safer or do they just give the driver a false sense of security? Assuming it actually has 4WD/AWD (and most don't), that only helps you "go" and does nothing for "stop" as all cars have four wheel brakes. No amount of snow tire fanboy circle jerking will make up for the fact that doubling the number of driven tires lets an AWD vehicle can leisurely drive up the kinds of residential streets and driveways that are a "pick up some speed and send it" affair in a FWD vehicle equipped with snow tires. Source: I drive a FWD station wagon with snow tires.

abenga 4y ago
Is there a rule that sedans and wagons cannot drive four wheels?