We are moving to Lethbridge in Alberta and we are worried about winter driving. Please what are your views, does a SUV give you the advantage or is a sedan with an extra set of snow tires the answer. I am quite experienced at drivng in the snow but my wife is not.
2007-07-12 12:33:32 · 7 answers · asked by Lyndon001 3 in Travel ➔ Canada ➔ Other - Canada
Either way, put a good set of snow tires on your vehicle, whatever it is, and adapt your driving to the conditions. From an environmental point of view, the sedan would be better, as it requires less fuel.
I live in Quebec, and there's a joke here that people who have four-wheel-drive only get further off road than little cars when it comes to sliding off! :-)
2007-07-12 13:11:36 · answer #1 · answered by nellierslmm 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In my winter driving experience I've had a 4WD SVU with All-Seasons and a Small Sedan with Winter Tires.
The SVU is heavier and gets more grip on the road so you can get up to speed faster and corner a bit better. But when it comes to braking it takes more time to stop and it's easier to lose control.
I found a good set of winter tires on even the lightest front wheel drive vehicule is fine and as one poster mentioned if you find you are not getting enough starting traction just add weight to the trunk.
Avoid a rear wheel drive vehicule as it does not perform well in snow even with snow tires.
My suggestion is to make sure you get a car that your wife feels very comfortable driving. Then on the first good snow fall, she should drive around an empty parking lot for a while and get used to how the car maneuvers in snow and ice. It's better to learn how to control a fish tail on an empty lot than on a busy street.
2007-07-12 15:56:27 · answer #2 · answered by Barry T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any four wheel drive is a plus. If you put snow tires on your car it will serve for most days but when it really counts, You get stuck. If you have driven in the snow quite a bit you know that there are many tricks to help out. I always kept a 50 lb bag of salt in the trunk of the car to help with traction and if you get stuck it helps to clear the ice. Good chains or studded tires also work. But... The SUV is the best answer if you have the choice.
2007-07-12 12:56:25 · answer #3 · answered by Traveler 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the most important thing to remember is to drive for the conditions. SUV with good snow tires or sedan with good snow tires it really makes no difference. I drive a toyota yaris with studed tires in the winter and have had no problems. The first couple of winter driving days will give you an idea of what the conditions will be like. Best thing about Alberta are the Chinooks, most of the snow melts.
2007-07-12 12:54:04 · answer #4 · answered by Marie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I put snows on my SUV - to improve braking mostly. An SUV with AWD or 4WD offers superior traction to a 2 wheel drive vehicle with studs chains or snows and especially the "all season tires" but it doesn't stop very well. New SUV drivers tend to be over confident. They're the ones you see in the ditches during the first few snowfalls.
2007-07-15 04:09:59 · answer #5 · answered by Chester Field 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any car with good snow tires will do, there are not that many
hills in Lethbridge compared to where I live in the mountains
We prefer a standard as it is easier to handle the steep
slippery mountain driving
2007-07-12 18:51:37 · answer #6 · answered by darcy m 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
SUV with Snow Tires
2007-07-14 08:58:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋