Since front-wheel-drive cars took over the market some decades ago, many folks would have you believe that driving a rear-wheel-drive vehicle in the wintertime is scary, undesirable or even dangerous.
Seriously, people?
Rear-wheel-drive cars can be beautiful in the snow. They don’t fishtail at random or spin out of control for no reason. They aren’t the cause for any sort of alarm or worry.
How did people get around in winter before front-wheel drive became popular? They were careful. They slowed down. They weren’t idiots. They didn’t try to text message, email or use online banking while at the wheel, either. Mainly, that’s because phones back then had curly cords and rotary dials and couldn’t be taken with you.
Good thing—because rear-drive cars of the past were a whackload more challenging to drive in the snow, too. There were no driver aids. No ABS, TSC, ESP, TCS, ESC, DSC, VSA or other similar electronic traction nannies.
Balance was poor, too. Most of these machines had a cast-iron V8 engine up front that weighed about as much as a Kia, and nothing in the ass-end but some tin-thin sheetmetal welded into a trunk. Power steering was optional. Tires were skinny. The list goes on.
So very, very scary. I’m being sarcastic. Hell, I’m pretty sure my mom used to drive the toddler version of your correspondent to daycare through deep snow in a rear-drive, mid-‘70s’ Dodge Aspen RT wearing bias-play tires as skinny as my hand. And she never crashed it. And trust me: Mom’s a good driver, but she isn’t superhuman.
So what’s the beef with rear-wheel drive? Some folks would forego that beautiful Genesis, Charger or Mustang because it pushes instead of pulls. I’ve driven these machines for thousands of kilometers this winter. On snow days. At speed on the highway. Through an ice-storm. And I’m still here. And so are the cars I mentioned.
Sure — I got the Genesis stuck once. Wasn’t carrying enough speed to blast it through a snowplow hump at the end of a street after a 15-inch dump of fresh powder. But two handfuls of sand and five minutes of shoveling later, it was out. Had it been AWD or FWD, the outcome would probably have been similar.
In today’s rear-drive cars, things are better than ever. Balance is typically 50/50 or close to it, so there’s more stability and predictability when the going gets slippery. Stability and traction controls are more advanced, smart and fast-acting than ever, too.
There’s no skidding, no drama, and no unpleasantness — provided you’re planning on driving carefully, and according to Mother Nature’s moods. Which you should be.
And with winter tires mounted and the stability control systems left on, you’d have to be trying pretty hard to lose control.
Remember that most of today’s rear-wheel drive cars offer fantastic performance, looks and driving pleasure — no matter the season.
So don’t skip that rear-drive car you like. Don’t worry about ditching it, fishtailing or spinning out. Cars don’t enter the ditch, fishtail or spin out. Drivers do. Some drivers are scary and unsafe. Drive wheels aren’t.
Front-wheel drive isn’t mandatory for winter safety. Proper tires and driver preparation are. And with rear-drive, year-round agility and pleasure are enhanced. So wear your winter tires, drive carefully and enjoy the experience.
Seriously, people?
Rear-wheel-drive cars can be beautiful in the snow. They don’t fishtail at random or spin out of control for no reason. They aren’t the cause for any sort of alarm or worry.
How did people get around in winter before front-wheel drive became popular? They were careful. They slowed down. They weren’t idiots. They didn’t try to text message, email or use online banking while at the wheel, either. Mainly, that’s because phones back then had curly cords and rotary dials and couldn’t be taken with you.
Good thing—because rear-drive cars of the past were a whackload more challenging to drive in the snow, too. There were no driver aids. No ABS, TSC, ESP, TCS, ESC, DSC, VSA or other similar electronic traction nannies.
Balance was poor, too. Most of these machines had a cast-iron V8 engine up front that weighed about as much as a Kia, and nothing in the ass-end but some tin-thin sheetmetal welded into a trunk. Power steering was optional. Tires were skinny. The list goes on.
So very, very scary. I’m being sarcastic. Hell, I’m pretty sure my mom used to drive the toddler version of your correspondent to daycare through deep snow in a rear-drive, mid-‘70s’ Dodge Aspen RT wearing bias-play tires as skinny as my hand. And she never crashed it. And trust me: Mom’s a good driver, but she isn’t superhuman.
So what’s the beef with rear-wheel drive? Some folks would forego that beautiful Genesis, Charger or Mustang because it pushes instead of pulls. I’ve driven these machines for thousands of kilometers this winter. On snow days. At speed on the highway. Through an ice-storm. And I’m still here. And so are the cars I mentioned.
Sure — I got the Genesis stuck once. Wasn’t carrying enough speed to blast it through a snowplow hump at the end of a street after a 15-inch dump of fresh powder. But two handfuls of sand and five minutes of shoveling later, it was out. Had it been AWD or FWD, the outcome would probably have been similar.
In today’s rear-drive cars, things are better than ever. Balance is typically 50/50 or close to it, so there’s more stability and predictability when the going gets slippery. Stability and traction controls are more advanced, smart and fast-acting than ever, too.
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| 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera (Photo: Justin Pritchard/Auto123.com) |
There’s no skidding, no drama, and no unpleasantness — provided you’re planning on driving carefully, and according to Mother Nature’s moods. Which you should be.
And with winter tires mounted and the stability control systems left on, you’d have to be trying pretty hard to lose control.
Remember that most of today’s rear-wheel drive cars offer fantastic performance, looks and driving pleasure — no matter the season.
So don’t skip that rear-drive car you like. Don’t worry about ditching it, fishtailing or spinning out. Cars don’t enter the ditch, fishtail or spin out. Drivers do. Some drivers are scary and unsafe. Drive wheels aren’t.
Front-wheel drive isn’t mandatory for winter safety. Proper tires and driver preparation are. And with rear-drive, year-round agility and pleasure are enhanced. So wear your winter tires, drive carefully and enjoy the experience.