Rear Wheel Dr?

Question

I am thinking about purchasing LS400, but not sure how well it handels in Snow/ice? Could anybody answer it?

Answer 1

THE VOLVO'S WE OWNED WERE REAR WHEEL DRIVE AND WERE GOOD IN SNOW. I DO NOT THINK ANY VEHICLE THAT IS GOOD ON ICE. JUST MAKE SURE YOU HAVE GOOD TIRES AND DO NOT DRIVE TOO FAST.

Answer 2

You can drive any kind of car in the snow as long as you take your time and use caution. Rear Drive can push you through the snow, but Front Drive can pull you around those sloshy corners.

4x4 is great but usually has to be engaged. Most 4x4's are Rear Drive until the unit is engaged then the Front Wheels also will have power to pull through with the push.

I have an AWD (all wheel drive) which comes in two ways. Like a Subaru where you have all wheels moving all the time, aka Full Time AWD. Then there is my Toyota Matrix which is a front driver to save on gas and emissions and when need be, if slip is detected in front, the rear wheels are engaged for AWD traction.

A Rear Drive car like the LS is heavy so in the snow you should be fine, just take your time and if its bad out, don't go, or get a nice set of Bridgestone Blizzak snow tires to mount for winter use. I had a set on my 2002 Civic and they worked great! I got the AWD Matrix to help with my commute to my new job now though.

Answer 3

All cars that live in areas that see real winter benefit greatly from a dedicated set of "winter" (as opposed to "snow") tires. Rear wheel drive vehicles more so than any other. The problem with RWD of course is that all the weight is in the front but the drive axle is in the back which makes you more likely to get stuck. Also, with all the power and torque going to the rear axle if it loses traction you are more likely to oversteer and spin.

My recommendation would be to buy a set of dedicated winter tires to go along with whatever summer or "all-season" tires are already on it. Preferably, you should also pick up an extra set of wheels to mount these tires on so you have 2 complete sets of wheels and tires. And don't get just 2 winter tires - get a complete set of 4. It's not just about not getting stuck - you still have to stop and steer and the front wheels do most of that.

Barring that, a significant improvement in winter traction can be had using only 1 set of tires all year round by using a tire called the WR made by Nokian Tyre of Finland. They can be a little hard to find but are the only all-season tire on the market rated for severe winter use. They are as good or better than many major name winter only tires in snow and ice but unlike those tires can also be driven on in warm weather without excessive wear. I am a satisfied user of this tire. They are spendy and hard to find, but less so than an extra set of wheels and tires.

Answer 4

If you have a lot of snow, then get something with FWD or AWD.

Rear wheel drives are not good in snow. If you can't help but buy it, then put a 75lb sandbag on each side of the trunk, over the back wheels.

Answer 5

I have never driven one in snow/ice but, they seem to handle okay for the type of car.
As any 2 wheel drive car, you may want to put studded tires and/or chains if the conditions require. Also, you can get Snow/Ice tires which actually do help. All-Season tires are ok but not designed specifically for snow but, rather generally for all weather.

Answer 6

Rear Wheel is better it pushes you in the snow where front wheel just pulls and that's not to good in the snow.

Answer 7

u need something with 4 wheel drive. rear wheel drive sucks in snow and ice

Answer 8

get some good mud and snow tires and put a couple bags of sand in the trunk,then it should go.