Most AWD systems even with all-season are much better than FWD even with snow tires, if the sole point of contention is getting going. It's not even a fair comparison. Having 100% vehicle weight on driven wheels delivers far superior mobility to 60% weight on driven wheels. Snow tires only deliver 30% more traction than average all-season tires, that's 30% on a smaller base number, and all-season tires in snow countries are better than the "average all season" to begin with. I have had first-hand experience with both types side by side. The two are not even close. My Highlander AWD with All-season (OE Michelin) and half tread depth had better traction on ice than my 9-5 with brand new Blizzark Revo (which was the ultimate ice and deep snow tire, not "performance/sporty winter tire").

Criticism against SUV's are even more misplaced. SUV tires are typically deep tread M&S type. There are hardly any summer slicks for SUV's, unlike the "high performance" tires for cars. The same idiots who slid the SUV's off the road would have driven a car off the road much sooner . . . which does bring up an interesting point: since no vehicle can get through any and all terrain, more capable ones might just get the idiot stuck farther away from home. Even an M1A1 tank with treads can get stuck on steep glacial face and render the operator even more stranded than usual (emergency vehicles can't even get to it) . . . that does not mean however the M1A1 is less capable in snow and ice than a Civic with 4 snow tires.

FWD Saab's are capable snow cars for what they are (AWD Saab's are even better), but let's not delude ourselves or potential new buyers with the FWD+snow being superior to AWD SUV's in getting going. Such falsehood would only make people bitterly disappointed under the worst circumstances.

posted by 24.91.39...

• Snow tires: four of a kind vs two of a pair, Noel, Thu, 22 Sep 2011 11:41:03
  • Gee, tirerack rec's buying 4 instead of 2 - shocker!, nwas, Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:14:20
  • Summer tire idiots, Kristjan , Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:38:35
    • many seem to not be noticing all-season vs summer, AeroEd, Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:59:00
    • Get a set, No Snaab, Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:11:24
    • Re: Summer tire idiots, EGD , Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:27:17
    • Re: Summer tire idiots - really?, Skip, Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:39:21
      • You? Not likely, but the person rear-ending you is, Kristjan , Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:21:25
        • That concerns me even though I use snow tires, MI-Roger , Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:20:40
    • Re: Summer tire idiots. Yep., Noel, Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:27:44
      • In terms of avoiding getting stuck, Tim, Fri, 23 Sep 2011 05:12:37 <-- Viewing This Message
        • snow tires 30% more traction than no-season??, AdamB , Sat, 24 Sep 2011 11:31:51
          • According to Industry Publication, Tim, Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:57:56
            • Can you cite the publication?, Noel, Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:20:03
            • Different results here, Bill Homer , Tue, 27 Sep 2011 07:55:29
              • Re: Different results here, JimBlake , Tue, 27 Sep 2011 08:39:35
        • Re: In terms of avoiding getting stuck, James, Fri, 23 Sep 2011 11:00:35
          • This is 2011, not 2001, Tim, Fri, 23 Sep 2011 20:41:56
            • Re: This is 2011, not 2001, James, Sat, 24 Sep 2011 04:21:34
              • Re: This is 2011, not 2001, Tim, Sat, 24 Sep 2011 06:27:21
                • Re: This is 2011, not 2001, James, Sat, 24 Sep 2011 08:13:03
                  • Re: This is 2011, not 2001, Tim, Sat, 24 Sep 2011 22:35:21
              • The nut behind the wheel is still the weakest link, Noel, Sat, 24 Sep 2011 06:19:39
                • Not under most circumstances., Tim, Sat, 24 Sep 2011 06:35:34
        • Re: In terms of avoiding getting stuck, Noel, Fri, 23 Sep 2011 06:34:57
          • 95%, Tim, Fri, 23 Sep 2011 07:49:46
            • 95% of SUV/Pickup drivers are idiots, nwas, Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:36:31
              • Re: 95% of SUV/Pickup drivers are idiots, Tim, Fri, 23 Sep 2011 20:23:11
            • Did you really just compare an SUV to civil rights?, Craig, Fri, 23 Sep 2011 11:22:08
              • Re: Did you really just compare an SUV to civil rights?, Tim, Fri, 23 Sep 2011 20:34:14
                • You've got to lay off the race stuff, Craig, Sat, 24 Sep 2011 11:12:46
                  • Stop the knee-jerk reaction, Tim, Sat, 24 Sep 2011 21:45:27
                    • Re: Stop the knee-jerk reaction, Tim, Sat, 24 Sep 2011 22:16:49
                      • What I don't like about SUVs, Noel, Sun, 25 Sep 2011 06:52:24
                        • If that's the concern, Tim, Sun, 25 Sep 2011 18:51:00
                          • danger to cyclists etc.., James, Tue, 27 Sep 2011 07:48:46
                  • Thank you, Craig! n/m, Noel, Sat, 24 Sep 2011 16:49:41
            • smells like a steak + seats 35... Canyonero!, James, Fri, 23 Sep 2011 08:54:01
              • Yes, in a free country, Tim, Fri, 23 Sep 2011 20:36:46
                • probably more than half of all new..., James, Sat, 24 Sep 2011 04:28:29
                  • Re: probably more than half of all new..., Tim, Sat, 24 Sep 2011 06:11:50
      • I largely agree also..., James, Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:45:18

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