Our car got stuck in the snow and ice, as I tried to step on the gas to make it go, my brother noticed that only the right front wheel is turning in the ice, while the left wheel isn't. I would expect a car with FWD to have BOTH wheels turning when stuck in ice or mud. When we did manage to get it out, it seemed as though the car was being driven only by one wheel--the right front wheel turns when the gas is hit, left wheel remains still. Is something wrong with the drivetrain, or is this normal?
2007-02-15 11:01:50 · 8 answers · asked by Tomcat 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
By the way, this happened to a 2001 Mazda Protege, 2.0L with automatic transmission. I don't have electronic stability control or anything like that on this model.
2007-02-15 11:49:55 · update #1
Unless your front drive is actually a locking differential drive, you are ok with one wheel spinning in snow and loose conditions like that. This is because of open differentials, which allow the inside tire to go slower than the outside tire during turns, and, as you see in loose conditions, can allow a wheel to slip free (or spin) making it seem like only one wheel is driving the car and the other is not.
Now, having said that, there can be times where the planataries within the drive can fail, and you only do have one wheel being driven. If you have transmission fluid with metal shavings in it, or extremely dark and burnt smelling, then take the vehicle to a dealership and a transmission shop, and ask for an inspection and quote. Going to both places will give you a better idea of what "might" be wrong and the real costs of fixing that.
Good luck.
2007-02-15 11:09:10 · answer #1 · answered by Unforgiven Shadow 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is normal. You would need to have a limited slip differential (posi-traction) on the front to have both spin. Most FWD cars do not have this. Whichever wheel has the least traction is the one that will spin.
To test, park with one wheel on ice, and the other on clear surface. When you hit the gas, the one on the ice will spin. Now park with the other tyre on the ice, and try again. Now this one should be spinning.
2007-02-15 11:37:48 · answer #2 · answered by Me 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Trans-axles have a differential that the easiest wheel to spin will. Its to help with turning corners. Without a differential it would be hard to steer the car. When turning the wheels turn at different speeds
2007-02-15 11:11:29 · answer #3 · answered by David A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This sounds odd, as the drivetrain should be turning the axle and not each wheel independently. Well, some cars I believe have independently driven wheels. It's possible that your alignment is just bad and that's why your car pitches to one side when you hit the gas.
2007-02-15 11:05:50 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Take it to a mechanic. There's no way of telling unless you are half-on, half-off a curb and have someone get out and tell u what's going on.
2007-02-15 11:05:20 · answer #5 · answered by Isabela 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
only cars with pozi have both tires spin its normal tht only one spins they both spin but one has way more power to it.
2007-02-15 11:04:32 · answer #6 · answered by jack p 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thats normal, your car doesn't have positraction, most front wheel drives don't.
2007-02-15 12:45:49 · answer #7 · answered by mister ss 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that is not normal, you're right, both should be turning.
2007-02-15 11:06:01 · answer #8 · answered by Fluffington Cuddlebutts 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋