Another car question: Snow tires or 4 wheel drive more important?

violadad
Thu, 31 May 2007 15:10:34 +0000

Unless you’re in an area with major significant snowfalls like Buffalo or Denver, you can get basically anywhere you need to be with a front wheel drive and good snow tires. If your type of job mandates you have to go regardless of the weather (emergency responder, health care professional, etc.), 4wd is just a safer bet.

If you can’t make it with front wheel drive, then stay home. It’s really not worth it being out in it unless your employment mandates it.

We’ve owned both front, four, and rear wheel drive vehicles. I won’t drive my Suburban or 3/4 ton rear wheel drive pickup in any amount of snow. Doesn’t matter what tires are on them, they’re lousy snow vehicles without 4wd. The rear ends are all over the road.

The best snow vehicle we ever had was my wife’s 77 Honda Civic. With a set of snows on the front, it would go anywhere. She made it up hills I couldn’t get halfway up in a 4wd Jeep Cherokee with 4 great snows and in 4wd low.

One issue with some front wheel drives is the low nose, which means you often will get plowed in in a parking lot, or have issues negotiating drifts or unplowed areas.

Make sure the kid has a good snow shovel in the car, a bag of kitty litter or sand in the trunk, a few flares and an AAA card.