Is 4WD/AWD needed in snow?

[J-DawgFluffy]

I'm moving to Rexburg later, and I will be buying a car once I get there. I've been in snow before, but I've never driven in it. Is it necessary to have a 4WD/AWD car for snow driving?

[Bini]

I live in SLC and drive a Subaru. It's a great car and handles pretty much everything effortlessly, be it rugged terrain or a snowstorm. I owned a Legacy awhile back and I loved that car. I have a Tribeca now and love it even more, as it has more room, and it's got a beastly engine too :)

[Bini]

PS. We also have a Honda Accord that is neither 4WD or AWD, and it does struggle to grip the road in bad weather conditions.

[Vort]

I'm moving to Rexburg later, and I will be buying a car once I get there. I've been in snow before, but I've never driven in it. Is it necessary to have a 4WD/AWD car for snow driving?

If you have never driven in snow, a 4WD makes life a very great deal easier. For those who have a lot of experience driving in snow, 4WD is not absolutely necessary and sometimes is not nearly as much fun :), but can still be very helpful at times. (Front-wheel drive also decreases the enjoyment factor by a full order of magnitude, but admittedly is easier to control.)

[Guest]

I'm moving to Rexburg later, and I will be buying a car once I get there. I've been in snow before, but I've never driven in it. Is it necessary to have a 4WD/AWD car for snow driving?

I lived in Ohio. Drove a regular RWD car just fine. Sometimes I put on the chains when I have to go to the little roads that are not plowed often enough. But, most of the places I go to have plowed roads.

I passed by the Kirtland Temple everyday to go to the Community College. From the college, you get to climb a hill to go past the Kirtland Temple. I've gotten in an accident going up that hill when the road was icy. The car infront of me slid down into my car!

But, other than that, I've never had problems going up that hill.

I also fell into the ditch once and did donuts at the parking lot once. Some big dude lifted up my car out of the ditch! All this on my first year of driving in snow. The next year, I was like a pro - learned how to handle skids and how to break in snow and all that... Zero accidents since then.

Of course, a 4WD/AWD will help. But, since I survived Ohio without it, I say it's not necessary.

[annewandering]

If you get 4 wheel do not pretend like there is no snow or ice out there. Best way to get in an accident. Front wheel drive does make it easier to drive in snow.

Very best advice is remember its slick out there and you are macho man, able to fly down the road as if its the middle of the summer. That is better than any kind of vehicle although I am partial to staying home myself.

[NeuroTypical]

A lot depends on how good your community is on maintaining the roads. I live out in the middle of nowhere, CO, so we basically just sit at home the first day after a blizzard, then our little 2wd sedans are just fine.

[annewandering]

Around here they do the main roads. I mean really main like the road to Burley, the nearest town of any size at all, and that is it. Staying home is good. Very good. lol.

[Dunerider]

HI ! I've lived there for 5 years and I know the roads! 4 WHEEL is the best ! you have more control better stopping and if you drive smart you will never get stuck ! But on ice it doesn't matter you have to be very careful ! The ice on most back roads get 4 inches thick. studded snow tires a must on the ice! And watch out for the snow plows with the ice shreadder blades on them they can shatter the wind shield! Most of the main roads they do a good job on. in the country its ice. I have 3 4x4's it is the smartest safest way ! I have seen a little over -50 it gets cold on bad winters. My brother live in Suger city now if you need a contact i can hook you up he is an awesome man ! Zack Paul.

[classylady]

4 wheel drive or AWD is nice to have when driving in the snow. But, not a necessity. I have front wheel drive, and I chug along just fine. The important thing to remember is to take it slow, and DON'T tailgate. Never slam on the brakes--pump, pump, pump! I don't like rear wheel drive on snow.

[Irishcolleen]

I don't think 4wd is needed unless you plan on going off road.

[BadWolf]

I'm a mountains girl.

For ME... They're necessary. I drove a Jeep for years, now a Subaru Outback (only buy a Jeep if you work on cars. Like helos, they rattle themselves loose on a regular basis. They also eat gas like its $1 a gallon. So they're expensive).

Mountain driving is different, though.

CAN I take a 2WD through the mountains? Yep. Just not safely.

[Guest]

I don't think 4wd is needed unless you plan on going off road.

In the middle of winter in this little town called Chardon, OH which is a few miles from the Kirtland Temple, roads such as Kirtland Chardon Road and Sperry Road swings to the definition of Off-Road... I wouldn't be surprised to find such roads in Rexburg.

[Irishcolleen]

In the middle of winter in this little town called Chardon, OH which is a few miles from the Kirtland Temple, roads such as Kirtland Chardon Road and Sperry Road swings to the definition of Off-Road... I wouldn't be surprised to find such roads in Rexburg.

I bet that's in that horrible lake-effect snow belt, isn't it? I don't like driving around the Great Lakes in winter. Everything will be nice and clear and then Whammo! You are in the middle of white-out conditions.

[mnn727]

No its not needed. In fact a 4 wheel drive vehicle just means you get stuck further from nowhere (ask me how I know)

A front wheel drive will help, but knowing your driving abilities and not trying to out drive your ability is the most important thing.

I drove rear wheel drives for years in WI and MN

[EarlJibbs]

With a good set of tires you can get by on 2wd, but 4wd is very helpful.

Contrary to some posts...

1. 4wd will allow you to get up to speed faster and it does help you not to get stuck

2. It will NOT help you stop. That is one of the reasons people wreck. You may feel safer because you really do have more controll, but it is a false sense of security.

[BenRaines]

The key to remember is SLOW DOWN in the snow. 4WD or AWD or FWD do not mean you can drive as fast as you would on a clear, dry road.

Most drivers, unless often in the mountains or un-maintained roads can manage without 4WD.

Ben Raines

[pam]

One of the things I notice here in Utah with those driving trucks and SUVs. They fly by me on snow packed roads that are also icy. They think they are invinsible. Yet they have to be able to stop on that ice just like your regular sedan.

[EarlJibbs]

One of the things I notice here in Utah with those driving trucks and SUVs. They fly by me on snow packed roads that are also icy. They think they are invinsible. Yet they have to be able to stop on that ice just like your regular sedan.

Also they do not realize that the weight that gives them more stability will eventually lead to their demise when slowing down!

I own a MAV (Mormon Assault Vehicle) but drive it like a car while in the snow!

[Vort]

With a good set of tires you can get by on 2wd, but 4wd is very helpful.

Contrary to some posts...

1. 4wd will allow you to get up to speed faster and it does help you not to get stuck

2. It will NOT help you stop. That is one of the reasons people wreck. You may feel safer because you really do have more controll, but it is a false sense of security.

3. RWD is simply lots funner to drive in snow than either FWD or 4WD.

[classylady]

If you're inexperienced driving in the snow, if possible, after a snow storm find an empty (big) parking lot that still hasn't been plowed. Practice stopping, turning, and going into slides. (This can be fun). Learn how to get yourself out of a slide. Turn your wheels in the direction that the rear of your car is sliding. It helps to look with your eyes where you want the car to go, and turn the steering wheel in that direction. It is easy to steer too far, causing the car to slide in the other direction. If this happens (called overcorrecting), you'll need to turn in the opposite direction. Another thing to practice, again if possible, is starting from a complete stop on a hill. This is where traction is needed. I'd advise not practicing on a hill with tires that are nearly bald. Learn how to stop going down hill with ice packed roads. Some of this comes with experience.

Ive been driving on snowy roads since I was a teenager. I've had some close calls, and luckily only avoided an accident because no other cars were present--inexperience on my part. That's why I say practice. And just learn to slow down.

Edited January 17, 2013 by classylady

[J-DawgFluffy]

thanks y'all. I'm a southern boy at heart so I have always had a fondness for trucks and 4WD, but they do tend to be more expensive, which is something to consider living off student loans.

[M_T_E]

Regardless of how good you are as a snow driver it is better to be safe than sorry.

I have a 4WD Full Time Jeep GC, in the random event my area gets peppered I have no problem driving in deep snow, or well... any kind of snow really.

FWD may handle better than RWD in snow, but I'd rather not take chances and be the one in the ditch. Eventually it gets to the point where you need that AWD and you kinda kick yourself over it.

[kapikui]

I've lived in Idaho my entire live. I drive in the winter all the time. I've never used 4wd, snow tires or snow chains, and never had a problem.

[talisyn]

I have found, in my years of living in Southern Idaho, that good quality tires will make or break you. If you have good tread you can drive in almost anything Rexburg will throw at you. Rexburg has city roads that never seem to melt until April. IDK what kind of pavement they use but I think it's pretty sad for a town with that much traffic