Gearheads: 4/AWD or snow tires?

[Discuss Thrower]

What's the more cost effective solution to driving in the winter?

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by frozenchief

A few years ago, we were going to visit family in eastern Washington over holidays.

Hey, that's where I live.

I have experience with both setups here. My wife had a FWD Honda CR-V for years. We put snow tires all around and, for the most part, it was fine. She could get around okay most of the time. The problem was on hills. Going uphill would unload the front tires and she would lose traction. There is a long ass hill just off of our road and she would frequently get stuck trying to get out onto the hill through the berm the snow plows left.

On the other hand, I drive a similar size Forester that is full time, 50/50 AWD and the difference is night and day. I put snow tires on it too and it goes anywhere. I've been through some pretty deep snow and had zero issues.

We lost the CR-V to a deer this last summer and she now has a AWD Honda HR-V with snow tires. We haven't had a lot of snow yet but the one morning that we had 3 or 4 inches of snow overnight, she was pretty impressed with how it got out onto the highway..

Originally Posted by frozenchief

I do not understand why someone would buy a 2WD truck.

I bought a 2016 Frontier that is 2wd. It was $6000 cheaper than the equivalent 4wd and gets better mileage. I got it to move my boys back and forth to college and for projects around the house. It's been a great vehicle so far. I solved the snow issue by not driving it in the winter. However, I think with some weight in the back and snow tires, it would actually do pretty well. It has a limited slip rear end and gets around in the snow okay when I've had to move it during the winter.

[frozenchief]

Originally Posted by Frosty

Hey, that's where I live.

I have experience with both setups here. My wife had a FWD Honda CR-V for years. We put snow tires all around and, for the most part, it was fine. She could get around okay most of the time. The problem was on hills. Going uphill would unload the front tires and she would lose traction. There is a long ass hill just off of our road and she would frequently get stuck trying to get out onto the hill through the berm the snow plows left.

On the other hand, I drive a similar size Forester that is full time, 50/50 AWD and the difference is night and day. I put snow tires on it too and it goes anywhere. I've been through some pretty deep snow and had zero issues.

We lost the CR-V to a deer this last summer and she now has a AWD Honda HR-V with snow tires. We haven't had a lot of snow yet but the one morning that we had 3 or 4 inches of snow overnight, she was pretty impressed with how it got out onto the highway..



I bought a 2016 Frontier that is 2wd. It was $6000 cheaper than the equivalent 4wd and gets better mileage. I got it to move my boys back and forth to college and for projects around the house. It's been a great vehicle so far. I solved the snow issue by not driving it in the winter. However, I think with some weight in the back and snow tires, it would actually do pretty well. It has a limited slip rear end and gets around in the snow okay when I've had to move it during the winter.

Maybe the trick to owning a 2WD truck is to not live in a place where it's winter 7-8 months out of the year. I just know far too many people whose 2WD truck slides or gets stuck that I won't buy one.

I would say that after pickups/SUVs, the most common vehicle up here is some type of Forrester. I've heard nothing but good things about them. They have great AWD systems and go anywhere on the road in lots of snow.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by frozenchief

Maybe the trick to owning a 2WD truck is to not live in a place where it's winter 7-8 months out of the year.

I think too many of my dad's ideas rubbed off on me. He always insisted on 2wd pickups due to the better mileage even though he lived a big chunk of his life in eastern WA and Montana. He even had one when they lived in Fairbanks.

[tmax63]

In today's world the true need for 4WD/AWD is exceptionally rare. Road conditions aren't impassable in a 2WD vehicle for more than a few hours 99% of the time. I bought a Dakota 4x4 new in 1995 when I moved to the front range and I had to pull it back into 4WD several times a year just to keep things "limber" because I didn't need to use it often enough. To answer the OP, a 2WD vehicle and common sense are the cheapest, most economical solution but it can be used as an excuse to buy something you want.

[Naptown Chief]

Lowrider.
Air dam.
Profit.

Alternatively, duct taping a fat chick to the front of your car may be as effective.

[Naptown Chief]

Originally Posted by frozenchief

I would say that after pickups/SUVs, the most common vehicle up here is some type of Forrester. I've heard nothing but good things about them. They have great AWD systems and go anywhere on the road in lots of snow.

I have an 04 Forester XT that I was STI swapping (from my 02 WRX that I swapped and was totaled) before a work injury. Man I loved that thing stock but will only be that much better when I'm capable of finishing it up. Blast to drive and have had zero issues driving in ANY weather, including a 24" blizzard we had January 2016*

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by Frosty

I think too many of my dad's ideas rubbed off on me. He always insisted on 2wd pickups due to the better mileage even though he lived a big chunk of his life in eastern WA and Montana. He even had one when they lived in Fairbanks.

It made a legitimate difference in the 70s and 80s. After the 90s they keep getting better in terms of reliability and efficiency.

[Bwana]

Originally Posted by TribalElder

snow tires + awd

Yep

[Hoover]

AWD and a good all season weather rated tire.

[TLO]

Here's a pro tip. A RWD car with no weight in the back will take you anywhere you want to go!

[TLO]

But honestly, I was pleasantly surprised with how my Charger handled the snow this past week. As long as I could get going, I was good. Getting moving was a bit of trouble, but nothing unmanageable.

Good tires make a world of difference.

[Shiver Me Timbers]

Kind of off topic but I bought a new 32" honda snow blower last week.
I did it for all the neighbors. Not to help them but spending 3k on something guarantees it will never be needed.

[TLO]

Originally Posted by Shiver Me Timbers

Kind of off topic but I bought a new 32" honda snow blower last week.
I did it for all the neighbors. Not to help them but spending 3k on something guarantees it will never be used

Feel free to travel to Missouri and try your luck on my driveway!

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by tmax63

In today's world the true need for 4WD/AWD is exceptionally rare. Road conditions aren't impassable in a 2WD vehicle for more than a few hours 99% of the time. I bought a Dakota 4x4 new in 1995 when I moved to the front range and I had to pull it back into 4WD several times a year just to keep things "limber" because I didn't need to use it often enough. To answer the OP, a 2WD vehicle and common sense are the cheapest, most economical solution but it can be used as an excuse to buy something you want.

I suppose that's true if you live in a city where they actually ****ing do something to neighborhood streets. There's already been at least a dozen days this winter that i wouldn't have been able to get out of my neighborhood in the morning in a 2WD vehicle. You'll have to pry my 4WD from my cold, dead hands.

[Imon Yourside]

My AWD gets around amazing with crappy tires, whereas snow tires on my fwd vehicles have been ok but if you get too much snow you need that extra clearance. I would love to remove/forget about/destroy spoilers forever!

This is not professional advice as i'm far from a gearhead but it works for me.