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Best in snow: all-wheel drive or winter tires? .(tire buying tips)(Buyers Guide)
Go-anywhere grip is a major part of America's love affair with sport-utility vehicles. Automakers are capitalizing on that passion for all-wheel drive by offering it on a growing number of sedans, wagons, and minivans. More than 20 non-SUV models now offer such systems, which provide power to all four wheels as needed. Indeed, sales of all-wheel-drive cars and minivans have roughly tripled since 1991, according to Ward's Auto World, an industry trade publication.
Most all-wheel-drive vehicles are based on front-drive cars, which, in turn, tend to do better in snow than rear-drive cars because the weight of the engine and transmission sits directly over their drive wheels. Front-drive models cost about $2,000 less, on average, than all-wheel-drive models, weigh less, and use less fuel. And as with other vehicles, you can improve their snow traction with winter tires, which use special compounds and aggressive tread (see "Tires for Winter and Year-Round," November, page 60).
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How much difference can winter tires make? We compared four of our test cars--the all-wheel-drive Volkswagen Passat GLX 4Motion and its front-wheel-drive sibling, the Passat GLS, and the all-wheel-drive Volvo Cross Country and similar front-drive Volvo S60.
The tests: We gauged traction by measuring the distance it took to accelerate from 5 mph to 20 mph over packed snow. Because cold-weather stops can be especially challenging, we also tested braking from 10 mph over smooth ice. We drove the all-wheel-drive cars with their factory-issue all-season tires, which should get these vehicles through most conditions. Front-drive models were tested two ways--with standard all-season tires and with winter tires. Our results:
* Best were the all-wheel-drive cars, which reached 20 mph 21 feet sooner, on average, than the front-drive cars equipped with winter tires.
* Winter tires yielded the biggest snow-traction gain for the buck, however. Using them helped the front-drive cars reach 20 mph nearly 28 feet sooner than they did with all-season tires. Cost: about $300 for the four winter tires plus another $160 or so for an extra set of wheel rims ...
- CR issue weighs all-wheel drive vs. winter tires.(News)("Consumer Reports" )
- Magazine article from: Tire Business January 6, 2003 700+ words
...of whether all-wheel drive (AWD) offers better...traction in snow than winter tires. More auto makers...equip it with winter tires.'' In less...CR said front-wheel drive and a set of winter tires should suffice...
- New materials in winter tires ease traction on slippery roads
- Newspaper article from: Chicago Sun-Times Nina Padgett October 21, 1996 700+ words
...which to mount the winter tires, since remounting...important to mount winter tires on all four wheels for front-wheel-drive cars," said...weight on front-wheel-drive cars is over the...purchase four winter tires, my recommendation...
- Winter tires grow as profit niche.
- Magazine article from: Tire Business March 12, 2001 700+ words
...niche may want to consider offering winter tires during the upcoming snow season...market segment because front-wheel-drive cars and all-season tires made...wheel-drive cars--wanting winter tires to make their vehicles safer and...
- INFINITI G35 APPROACHES 3-SERIES; ALL-WHEEL DRIVE COMES IN HANDY FOR DRIVING...
- Newspaper article from: The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY) January 25, 2004 700+ words
...sedan is available with all-wheel drive, a real plus in a snowy climate...first G35 sedan was rear-wheel drive only and that's OK for a...but it necessitates four winter tires. The all-wheel drive sedan eliminates that issue...
- Tulsa World, Okla., Action Line column: Winter tires still the best choice for...
- Newspaper article from: Tulsa World (Tulsa, OK) September 29, 2007 700+ words
...Tire Rack tests show rear-wheel-drive passenger vehicles with winter tires have traction improvement...and 14 percent for all-wheel-drive sport utility vehicles...season tires. Modern winter tires stay flexible in freezing...
- DON'T WAIT UNTIL SNOW FALLS TO BUY WINTER TIRES; Get 'Em While It's...
- Magazine article from: AutoWeek Luu, Andrew February 28, 2005 700+ words
...also more rear-wheel-drive vehicles, which...introduced rear-wheel-drive cars, and those...aware you need winter tires.'' In some...have a rear-wheel-drive car with all-season tires, but no winter tires developed...
- Making a case for winter tires.(Opinion)(Brief Article)
- Magazine article from: Tire Business March 15, 2004 700+ words
Winter tires don't sell themselves, at least not when most owners think all-seasons on front-wheel drive vehicles will do just fine. But the trend...more likely they are to consider buying winter tires for their vehicles.
- Are rwd promoters doing a snow job on us?(real wheel drive)
- Magazine article from: Automotive News Guilford, Dave February 23, 2004 700+ words
...s revival of rear-wheel-drive cars. On the morning...time I drove a front-wheel-drive vehicle on a snowy...systems. Add some winter tires, and you'll be close...consumers can buy all-wheel drive as an option. Besides...
