Many years ago (turns out to be 1999), Car and Driver magazine did a comparison test for winter driving, where they asked the question of if you could only have one or the other ... snow tires -OR- four wheel drive ... which would be more beneficial?
Obviously, having both 4WD and snow tires is the best combination, but the intent here was to ask which provided more of the benefits, since neither one is free.
By supreme providence, I happened to rediscovered this 1999 article. It is linked above (and again here).
Its a nice read, but I know that we all want a shorter summary.
Here's Car&Driver's tests summary:
Hill-Climbing Traction: 4WD
Straight-Line Acceleration Performance: 4WD
Braking: Snow Tires
Handling/Lateral Acceleration: Snow Tires
Handling/Slalom: Snow Tires
And C&D's conclusion:
Four-wheel drive helps get cars going. When it comes time to brake or change direction on low-traction surfaces, the extra mass of the driveline becomes more of a detriment. Folks who live in hilly places that get snow may need the climbing capability of four-wheel drive...Almost everyone else will most likely be better served by using winter tires. Acceleration takes longer, but in an emergency, the handling behavior and improved lateral grip of two-wheel drive and winter tires -- in the slippery stuff -- are the safer bets.
In other words, snows before 4WD.
If you need a catchy sound-byte, try:
With 4WD, you may have 4 wheel 'go', but everyone has 4 wheel 'stop'.
The general reprocussions are that 4WD without snows will get you moving...but into trouble from which your tires aren't adequate to save you from. Snows without 4WD might not let you get moving as easily, but you'll have better roadhandling and shorter stops, which means more likely to get home safely.
Its winter again in the Northeast USA, so let's all be careful out there.
-hh
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
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7 comments:
Thanks for the information about the winter tyres..
I decided I needed some new tires in Edmonton considering I've never driven in snow before. My husband just got a new job there which means we're moving and I'm excited but also super nervous. Thanks for your advice!
For drivers who have never driven in snow before, the thing to remember is that your car has less grip to start/stop/turn and that it also has momentum, so some things take longer ... and mistakes won't be as easily stopped!
To learn how your car will handle in slippery conditions, one needs to get out and drive in slippery conditions (unfortunately) - the best way to do this is to take a driving class at a facility that has a skid plate that is watered down to reduce traction, such as BSR's http://www.accidentavoidance.com located in West Virginia.
Of course, the "poor man's" way of learning is to use a big empty parking lot that's lightly snow covered: you can go make "bad" turns at moderate speeds and learn how the car reactions ... and then from there, learn how as a driver you can correct and recover. Just make sure to pick an open area that doesn't have curbs, too many light stanchions, other cars/people or other things that wouldn't be a good idea to hit. This works best with an experienced driver to offer tips & observations, although it isn't anywhere near as good as a professional class.
-hh
Nice post. I never changed my tires to winter tires before but last year I slid on snow into the back of an 18 wheeler and they said it was because of my tires. So I have already started looking at snow Nokian tires. I will not have a repeat of last year!
Some blog are written in a way that cannot be forgotten, inface everyone reads it all, you're is one of them. Thanks for the nice post.Ottawa Winter Tires
When I decided to buy a pair of tires for the safety on the snowy Roads I preferred Ottawa Winter Tires. I believe that's the better option.
Looks like I have a Spammer...will have to edit "Harry" when I have a chance.
In the meantime, consumers in the Ottawa area now have reason to boycott the business he was spamming for...
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