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Explain to me why FF cars are better in snow.

I

imported_goku

Diamond Member
I had a discussion with my autoshop teacher about why FF cars are better in snow and I'm still not convinced that they're better. So please, explain to me why they're better than FR cars...
 
Originally posted by: Beachboy
WTF is a FF car? Or a FR car for that matter? 😕
Click to expand...

FF = front engine, front wheel drive
FR = front engine, rear wheel drive.

FF is better because the weight of the engine adds weight to the wheels, thus giving more traction (or so I've read.) 😕
 
because on slick surfaces, having all the weight on the driving wheels helps with traction if you are not driving it crazy. that's why cars like old VW Bugs have good traction because all the weight is on the REAR driving wheels
 
Frontwheel drives understeer like mad, and rear wheel tends to oversteer like mad. Understeer, in my opinion, is easier to control, but less fun.
 
Originally posted by: Ricemarine
Originally posted by: Beachboy
WTF is a FF car? Or a FR car for that matter? 😕
Click to expand...

FF = front engine, front wheel drive
FR = front engine, rear wheel drive.

FF is better because the weight of the engine adds weight to the wheels, thus giving more traction (or so I've read.) 😕
Click to expand...


that's what i always assumed also.

 
Originally posted by: Ricemarine
Originally posted by: Beachboy
WTF is a FF car? Or a FR car for that matter? 😕
Click to expand...

FF = front engine, front wheel drive
FR = front engine, rear wheel drive.

FF is better because the weight of the engine adds weight to the wheels, thus giving more traction (or so I've read.) 😕
Click to expand...

You also can't fishtail.
 
Yeah, thats when it became really confusing.. My autotech teacher basically said that he put chains on the front tires and was driving on a road that had snow, he went to pass the car but he started to fish tail so instead of turning into the turn(trying to straighten out), he finished what he started by basically making a 360 and then straightening out. I was confused though because FF cars have tendencies for understeer, not oversteer. I asked why wouldn't that have happened to a FR vehicle and he says that steering wheels have traction, so when you steer in a direction, the car moves toward that direction, but I then reciprocated with that if your car is understeering then how the hell will it 'eventually' make the turn. 😕
 
FF is better because power is given to the wheels with steering, as well as the weight issue. Essentially you can direct the power and you are pulled ahead, instead of being pushed by wheels that cannot turn.
 
Originally posted by: 0
FF is better because power is given to the wheels with steering, as well as the weight issue. Essentially you can direct the power and you are pulled ahead, instead of being pushed by wheels that cannot turn.
Click to expand...

 
Originally posted by: goku
I had a discussion with my autoshop teacher about why FF cars are better in snow and I'm still not convinced that they're better. So please, explain to me why they're better than FR cars...
Click to expand...
You've obviously never driven a rear wheel drive vehicle in winter
 
FWD is easier to control for people who don't know how to properly control a car to begin with. I prefer driving RWD in the snow over FWD, because you actually have more control.
 
Originally posted by: goku
Yeah, thats when it became really confusing.. My autotech teacher basically said that he put chains on the front tires and was driving on a road that had snow, he went to pass the car but he started to fish tail so instead of turning into the turn(trying to straighten out), he finished what he started by basically making a 360 and then straightening out. I was confused though because FF cars have tendencies for understeer, not oversteer. I asked why wouldn't that have happened to a FR vehicle and he says that steering wheels have traction, so when you steer in a direction, the car moves toward that direction, but I then reciprocated with that if your car is understeering then how the hell will it 'eventually' make the turn. 😕
Click to expand...

You let off the gas and the car will, hopefully, regain grip in the front.
 
I've been driving FF cars for some time, now. They do handle differently from FR, and you have to learn and adjust slightly. I find FF DO have better traction in snow. Of course, once you have wheels slipping (sliding or spinning) you lose a LOT of control and both types are poor. Foot off the gas and just steer is the rule here, and quickly! Also helps to turn the steering wheel to the actual direction of car movement, so those wheels are lined up with real direction and can grab hold again.

With FF cars you CANNOT do controlled slide / drift turns the way a FR car can, with rear wheels slipping under power.
 
You can oversteer in a FF car just as you can with a FR car and you can understeer in a FR car just as you can in a FF car. The difference is the car's tendency to do so while applying power in a turn. As far as why FF cars are preferred in the winter, that has already been answered.
 
Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
Originally posted by: Ricemarine
Originally posted by: Beachboy
WTF is a FF car? Or a FR car for that matter? 😕
Click to expand...

FF = front engine, front wheel drive
FR = front engine, rear wheel drive.

FF is better because the weight of the engine adds weight to the wheels, thus giving more traction (or so I've read.) 😕
Click to expand...

You also can't fishtail.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:
 
There is no "better".
FWD is preferable for your soccer mom because it allows you to maintain control with less experience.
RWD is every bit as good as FWD *if* your a competent driver. In a high speed loss of control situation RWD is safer but modern stability control has made that a moot point.

I prefer RWD. For those just dying to open their trap. Mazda RX-7 owner for 4 years in Nebraska, Kansas and COlorado. Yes, I can drive in the snow. Yes, I prefer RWD.
 
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