Driving in the snow (for sale, home, buying)

[daniellefort]

Ok i was born and lived in northern N.H. until i was 18 but at that time didn't care what kind of vehicle i was driving. As long as I got from point A to point B that's all i cared about. Now that i'm heading back after 14 years, i am wondering what is better for driving in the snow. Front wheel drive or rear wheel drive? I'm currently looking to buy a newer vehicle while i'm still in FL before i make the move and I want to get something that i won't have to end up trading in when i get there because it's no good in the snow. I noticed a lot of Toyota 4Runners 4x4 available up there for sale but i believe 4Runners are all rear wheel drive and that's kind of what i wanted to buy here but if rear wheel drive is no good for snow, i won't get it.

[s2bmanchy]

If you are looking for something that is not a 4x4 or AWD than front wheel drive is the way you have to go. If you just have RWD than your car will fishtail all over the icy roads and you will have no control. Most of a cars weight is in the front and that is one of the reasons why FWD is better in the snow and ice. If you are getting a vehicle that is 4WD than I think that most if not all 4WD vehicles are RWD. Another option for you would be a vehicle with AWD.

[Sporin]

Here's a long thread on the same subject, you'll see my thoughts scattered throughout.

SNOW TIRES are FAR more important then which end of the car is driving in my opinion.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/vermo...r-vermont.html

[rmcewan]

Originally Posted by s2bmanchy

If you are getting a vehicle that is 4WD than I think that most if not all 4WD vehicles are RWD. Another option for you would be a vehicle with AWD.

Huh? 4WD means just that - all four wheels are powered. Typically, a 4WD designation means the vehicle can be switched between drive modes. Whereas AWD means there is not user-selection of drive mode. In a 4WD system there are usually 3 modes: Rear wheel drive only, 4WD auto (which means the system switches power to the axle or wheel that has the best traction), and 4WD fixed (which means equal power is sent to each wheel/axle). 4WD vehicles meant for real off-road work will also have 4WD-LO which is a low-ratio 4WD mode meant for slow dring in extreme conditions - or when towing very heavy loads (say, pulling a boat and trailer out of the water).

[GregW]

Always use four good snow tires I have a set of Cooper tires for my Subie. I suggest a Subaru if you want to get somewhere and have fun doing it. If you really want to have fun than a small rear wheel drive pick up with a couple of hundred pounds of sand in back and worn all season tires will teach you how to really drive in snow. In any case an hour spent on a snow covered EMPTY parking lot at the start of the season will either let you lean car control or refresh your memory.

[rmcewan]

Originally Posted by daniellefort

I noticed a lot of Toyota 4Runners 4x4 available up there for sale but i believe 4Runners are all rear wheel drive and that's kind of what i wanted to buy here but if rear wheel drive is no good for snow, i won't get it.

If a 4Runner is 4x4 it IS NOT a rear-wheel drive vehicle. 4x4 means just that - power to ALL wheels. Note: if you're buying new, you'll pay fewer taxes in NH, and you won't get hit for the initial registration twice. If you're buying used, then FL might be better as the vehicle will not have been exposed to snow, ice, salt, and other winter nasties.

[daniellefort]

Originally Posted by rmcewan

If a 4Runner is 4x4 it IS NOT a rear-wheel drive vehicle. 4x4 means just that - power to ALL wheels. Note: if you're buying new, you'll pay fewer taxes in NH, and you won't get hit for the initial registration twice. If you're buying used, then FL might be better as the vehicle will not have been exposed to snow, ice, salt, and other winter nasties.

I meant 4Runners are all rear wheel drive when 4x4 is not turned on. I know about the 4x4 option with high and low gear. we also have a Chevy Silverado 4x4 with hi and low shift. We'll be buying used down here. New ones are not worth it especially if im just brining it up to all the nasty weather and also might mention my husband is a toyota master tech so we get first pick of the trade ins before they even hit the lot and are able to get it at trade in cost. He brought one home last night that would have cost us $14,000 with only 40,000 miles on it when the used car guy wanted to sell it for $18,000 on the lot but it didn't have the 4x4 option so we turned it away. I really hated to do that. We've always had brand new toyota trucks but since we're moving soon, we've traded in our 2007 Tundra for a Silverado that can be beat and worn our up there and we won't feel to bad about it.

[Sporin]

all but the newest 4runners use a part time 4WD system which means that, yes, the truck is RWD until you make it 4WD and most of the part time 4WD systems don't like you being in 4x4 at highway speeds for any length of time.

I've driven every manner of vehicle in NH & VT for 20 years, FWD, RWD, full and part time 4WD systems... they all have their advantages and disadvantages (FWD's plow/understeer, RWD's can come around on you, AWD really only makes a difference when you are actually driving, it's not all-wheel brake or all-wheel turning) but there is one constant and that is where the rubber meets the road.. snow tires are key IMO.

I am of the opinion that unless you drive in the boonies where plows come late or not at all, or unless you live or drive up a steep driveway every day, then any reliable FWD or even RWD car with snow tires all around will get you through without issue as long as you learn how to drive.

[BucFan]

Recommend throwing added weight to the rear axle for RWD? Does it help much?

[fltonh]

Hi, this is off topic but, I am Floridian and possibly moving to NH. I am looking for pros and cons as well as advice, Why are you moving back? Do you like it better than Florida? I am looking for information about NH from the people who live there. Auto FWD and how to drive in snow, useful. I am scared about driving up there after living whole life in FL. Thanks