Rear wheel drive and snow

graemer

graemer

graemer

Associate
Joined
21 Apr 2004
Posts
536
Location
South Shields
Are all rwd cars useless in snow and ice? Actually any driving tips as all I seem to do is spin the rear wheels or slide the car from the back end when moving off. Tried higher gear, low revs etc. Had to use my wifes c1 today and can't believe I had no problems at all.
 
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I drive an MX5 with Summer performance tyres and it's worse than useless. I had to abandon it today at the bottom of a small incline. Guy at work with an S2000 was exactly the same and had to walk it.
 
Does the RX8 have an LSD?

If not then try gently applying the handbrake when losing traction whilst setting off. it causes the wheel with less friction to stop spinning, giving the other wheel more traction.

Got me setting off on a few hills in the BMW doing that.
 
I look forward to becoming a roadblock over the coming days, not seen any snow in the w.mids as yet but it's on the way.
 
Run lower pressures in your tyres & make sure your passenger window is clear as you'll be looking out of it quite a bit. :D
 
I wouldn't say useless, but some have more problems than others.

My old M3 could never get out fo the work carpark when it snowed. Both wheels would spin and the back end of the car would rotate 90 degrees if you let it. Once on the move it was ok.

I can't help noticing that many of the cars I see at the side of the road, unalbe to get up inclines (amongst the bendy buses) are 3 and 5 series BMWs.

Perhaps I just notice them more. Certainly had to push a couple last year.
 
I presume rear/mid engined cars wouldn't have so much of a problem with traction as the weight of the engine is over the rear wheels. Even so, I'm not looking forward to taking my MR2 out in the snow :eek:
 
I'm fine when going in a straight line but I'm the same as you naefeart could easily spin 90 degrees from a standing start. It's scary at times.
 
Weight in the boot is a definite help, as is as new a set of tyres as possible.

Anything that has deeper treads will bite into snow better than tyres with only ~2mm tread left on them.

I didnt have too much trouble last year in the Merc, rather surprisingly. Only been out in this snow once so far... chose the madman method and cycled to work today :D
 
Most of the abandoned cars near me have been rear wheel drive.
Most of the cars I've watched struggle have been where the driver thought the key to making it up was more revs.:rolleyes:
 
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