AWD vs FWD
Guest
Posts: n/a
AWD vs FWD
I was talking to someone the other day who owns an older Subaru (read: 16 years old) and a newer one. This old Subaru has a button on the auto shifter to put it in FWD. The person said the FWD car was much better than their AWD car in the winter.
I didn't ask them about tire differences or ride height or anything but, what does everyone think? Is FWD better than AWD?
I didn't ask them about tire differences or ride height or anything but, what does everyone think? Is FWD better than AWD?
Guest
Posts: n/a
I assume this guy has never been in deep (12-24") of snow...
FWD sucks... don't even try to argue.
FWD=Front Wheel Drive (however I think Subaru may have labled it FWD= Four Wheel Drive back in the day)
4WD or 4x4 =Four Wheel Drive
If he is talking about when it is in 4x4 mode then there is a slight (but not noticeable) advantage...
If he had a "dual range" manual then in the worst case scenerio the lower gearing helps a lot.
4x4 has a lot more of disadvantages too...
The older 4x4 systems are very rugged but the current AWD has the same basic capibilities in a more refined way...
If you look at the new WRX's with automatics those are the most technically advanced (see also H6 VDC) offered in the US.
The biggest improvement has to be in the torque & HP department...
When compairing things like this it is only fair to have the same tires on BOTH vehicals...
If I had a choice I'd stick with the newer engines & drivetrains...
Unless you're talking about a 1980-83 GLwagon... I'd take one any day, very cheap fun cars to beat on...
FWD sucks... don't even try to argue.
FWD=Front Wheel Drive (however I think Subaru may have labled it FWD= Four Wheel Drive back in the day)
4WD or 4x4 =Four Wheel Drive
If he is talking about when it is in 4x4 mode then there is a slight (but not noticeable) advantage...
If he had a "dual range" manual then in the worst case scenerio the lower gearing helps a lot.
4x4 has a lot more of disadvantages too...
The older 4x4 systems are very rugged but the current AWD has the same basic capibilities in a more refined way...
If you look at the new WRX's with automatics those are the most technically advanced (see also H6 VDC) offered in the US.
The biggest improvement has to be in the torque & HP department...
When compairing things like this it is only fair to have the same tires on BOTH vehicals...
If I had a choice I'd stick with the newer engines & drivetrains...
Unless you're talking about a 1980-83 GLwagon... I'd take one any day, very cheap fun cars to beat on...
Last edited by GLwagon; Dec 7, 2002 at 07:33 AM.
Guest
Posts: n/a
The old 185/70R13 have a good advantage in snow compaired to a current 205/55R16 on the Impreza's or especally the 225/60-16 on the OutBack Wagon's.
The 20-40mm diffrence in width helps cut through a lot of the slop & fluff to get down to traction.
The OBW I had came with 225's the extra set of rims & 205/75R15 set of snows made the car nearly unstopable...
The biggest problem in big old parking lots with 20-36" of unpacked snow was snow coming over the hood.
The front end design tends to push snow up & to the sides & not under the vehical, so getting too much under the vehical wasn't a problem... Th old high bumper & sloping skid plates on the older cars have more potential to high side the car in the snow. Once you get a couple of tires off the ground you will become potentially stuck...
Rule # 892 You have 2 options... Go in realy slow so you can always back out when you get stuck, or hit it hard & fast so you can hyro-plane (snow-plane) up & keep as much momentium as you can. Once you stop you will sink. (oh... & have a cople of shovels & warm gloves)
The 20-40mm diffrence in width helps cut through a lot of the slop & fluff to get down to traction.
The OBW I had came with 225's the extra set of rims & 205/75R15 set of snows made the car nearly unstopable...
The biggest problem in big old parking lots with 20-36" of unpacked snow was snow coming over the hood.
The front end design tends to push snow up & to the sides & not under the vehical, so getting too much under the vehical wasn't a problem... Th old high bumper & sloping skid plates on the older cars have more potential to high side the car in the snow. Once you get a couple of tires off the ground you will become potentially stuck...
Rule # 892 You have 2 options... Go in realy slow so you can always back out when you get stuck, or hit it hard & fast so you can hyro-plane (snow-plane) up & keep as much momentium as you can. Once you stop you will sink. (oh... & have a cople of shovels & warm gloves)
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
scobaru
Engine/Power - non turbo (All non turbo Imprezas)
0
May 19, 2003 09:03 PM
FederalAuditor
Drivetrain
3
Apr 8, 2003 09:46 PM
