scuba821

I have a general question about rear-wheel drive handling vs front-wheel drive handling. My question is how bad is rear-wheel, the IS300 in particular, for wet weather and snow/ice.

Have any of you had any serious problems? If not do you have the 17" or the 16"?


Thanks

BTW, this is my first post.....

vlad_a

Allright, since you're new and not much being discussed anyways, or I'd have to say "DO A SEARCH..."

FWD vs RWD is a very lengthy discussion.

Basically, FWD is more predictable.
It is good for an inexperienced driver (I'm gonna get flamed.)
RWD has far better handling if you know how to use it.

Those 17" tires are not designed for snow at all.
I got 16" rims and Blizzak LM22s for our snowy weather.
The car became a snow monster. Watch out SUVs!!!
Once again, RWD, got to know how to handle it.

scuba821

Vlad_a, thanks for the info....I'll try the search....didn't know you could do that!!

scuba821

Anyone else??...........

Do most of you have a different set of wheels for winter?

vlad_a

Just wait till you get to IS300.net (once it is up and running again)

This has been discussed every time we got a snowfall this winter, and then some more.


I have seen RWD vs FWD discussion on this board a few days ago. You should be able to find it. A ton of useful info there.


P.S.
For some reason, members don't post here as often.
On .net we'd have 10 people discussing your topic, and even going way off-topic.

scoot557

if i remember correctly from .net;

it was explained in a matter of physics. each wheel has a certain amount of traction to the road. 100% of traction to dish out responsibilities(acceleration, braking, turning, etc.)

in FWD the front wheels have all the responsibility in braking, accelerating and turning, thus not being able to do its best acceleration/braking/turning at the same timel; acceleration during a hard turn in FWD leads to understeer and loss of traction.

in RWD - the duties are split up. the front axle is for grip on the road(turning), whereas the rear axle is acceleration. since close to 100% of the tires are for gripping up front, the handling is better, in RWD, acceleration during hard turns can lead to oversteer(not a bad thing if you can control it - drifting).

i think i got it right from last i read - anything i left out??

scuba821

That's what I was looking for, thanks scoot557.

scoot557

no problem - in addition to what i already stated: in terms of wet/icy conditions - while no car is a match for all-wheel drive, FWD has an edge because it has more weight(the engine) on top of the tires moving the car. in RWD it is easier to spin out because there is less weight - just load up the trunk with something if conditions get too bad, its nothing a load of groceries can't solve

vlad_a

If you load something in the back, that will affect your braking, which RWD has advantage over FWD due to the even weight distribution.

Just put on decent snow tires, that will solve the problem.

Oh, the 2002 model will have the VSC (Vehicle Skid Control) option (NA on M model.)

P.S.
I though the FWD vs RWD was discussed here.
Must be because it feels as if .net has been gone for iternaty.

scoot557

good point i left out - RWD has better weight distribution leading to more neutral steering...thanks vlad

and .net has been gone for an eternity - i am in serious withdrawal. does anyone have any updates on Tony's status??

vlad_a

Just remembered one more thing.
During acceleration, weight shifts to the back of the car,
so, the rear wheels get better grip.
That's why it is so much easier to get FWD car to spin its wheels than RWD.