RWD vs FWD. Can the average driver tell the difference?

[jtvang125]

Difference in terms of better handling, better feedback, and acceleration.

 

[FoBoT]

yes

 

[MercenaryForHire]

I'd like to say yes, but my failing confidence in the "Average Driver" leads me to say no.

- M4H

 

[KMc]

Dry roads, posted speeds, daily driving situations - I'll say no.

It's what happens in the occasional abnormal situations where people get into trouble not understanding the difference.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
I'd like to say yes, but my failing confidence in the "Average Driver" leads me to say no.

- M4H

 

[Atheus]

I bet most people couldn't even tell you if their own car is front or rear drive.

 

[iamwiz82]

Didn't someone here just make a thread about their RWD Focus?

 

[vi edit]

Under clear conditions and during normal everday driving, no.

<--- Drives a 265HP/285 ft/lb RWD vehicle daily.

 

[ElFenix]

i say yes, but only because something has to explain the bmw craze. it certainly isn't the price.

 

[Thraxen]

I can tell. Not sure how to describe it, but I can feel when where the power is being applied. Doesn't make any difference under normal conditions though.

 

[spidey07]

You tell as soon as you step on the gas. A FWD feels like it's pulling you, a RWD feels like it is pushing you.

 

[slimrhcp]

Torque steer, over steer, under steer...

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: slimrhcp
Torque steer, over steer, under steer...

All of which are probably terms the "average driver" doesn't recognize.

Faith in current generation failing rapidly.

- M4H

 

[thescreensavers]

Originally posted by: spidey07
You tell as soon as you step on the gas. A FWD feels like it's pulling you, a RWD feels like it is pushing you.

lol.. I don't feel it. but i haven't really been an a FWD car yet i don't think

 

[radioouman]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Didn't someone here just make a thread about their RWD Focus?

hehehe yes! I wonder what happened to that thread?

I'd have to say "no", but I think that it is really sad.

 

[vi edit]

But really the more important question is - does the average driver even care?

 

[KMc]

Originally posted by: slimrhcp
Torque steer, over steer, under steer...

It's all about which end of the car hits the wall first...

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: KMc

Originally posted by: slimrhcp
Torque steer, over steer, under steer...

It's all about which end of the car hits the wall first...

Understeer is when the front of the car hits the wall first.
Oversteer is when the rear of the car hits the wall first.
Horsepower determines how fast you hit the wall.
Torque determines how far you carry the wall with you.



- M4H

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
i say yes, but only because something has to explain the bmw craze. it certainly isn't the price.

It's the image.

I could tell the difference, because I drive my car like I stole it. If I drove like a grandma, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

 

[mb]

Originally posted by: Atheus
I bet most people couldn't even tell you if their own car is front or rear drive.

Bingo.

 

[slimrhcp]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: KMc

Originally posted by: slimrhcp
Torque steer, over steer, under steer...

It's all about which end of the car hits the wall first...

Understeer is when the front of the car hits the wall first.
Oversteer is when the rear of the car hits the wall first.
Horsepower determines how fast you hit the wall.
Torque determines how far you carry the wall with you.



- M4H

:laugh:

That was good!!

 

[LordMorpheus]

Originally posted by: spidey07
You tell as soon as you step on the gas. A FWD feels like it's pulling you, a RWD feels like it is pushing you.

This is definately something I noticed when I got my Town Car (RWD).

This might be just because the suspension is so soft it rears back when it accelerates.

One other thing, I can easily feel that I've got a live rear axel in the back, it's obvious when I hit a bump or pothole with one rear tire and not the other.

In the rain (no snow in Houston) you can have a little fun if you get heavy on the gas in turns, but I don't trust the chassis enough to go nuts, a little slip is enough.

 

[overst33r]

Push vs Pull. It does not take a genius to feel the difference.

 

[Raduque]

Originally posted by: Atheus
I bet most people couldn't even tell you if their own car is front or rear drive.

"front wheel drive? what's that mean?"


I can tell, but it's because I mainly drive a big, RWD pickup and when I accelerate I can feel the rear end of the truck; it feels light and all the power is going back there. But when I drive my car (88 accord FWD) it feels like something is pulling me.

All cars are different, though. My mom's eclipse doesn't feel like it's been pulled. Her van before that, didn't feel like it was being pushed (RWD gmc safari).

Most of your "average drivers" don't know, don't care, and probably wouldn't notice even if they knew what to feel for while driving.

In the rain (no snow in Houston) you can have a little fun if you get heavy on the gas in turns, but I don't trust the chassis enough to go nuts, a little slip is enough.

I can do the same in the truck, if I really tried, I could probably get it to 360 in the rain =D

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: mariok2006
Push vs Pull. It does not take a genius to feel the difference.

lmao. Wrong. You can't tell the difference between push and pull. There are handling characteristics that are slightly different. I doubt the average driver can tell the difference (on dry roads, at posted speed limits, etc.)