Front Wheel Drive in SNOW

[juice]

I would have to say that my car ( 2010 SEL 3.0 V6 FWD), performs great in treacherous conditions here in Western PA in the SNOWBELT off LAKE ERIE.... ( Go Steelers )......I prefer traction control OFF because I feel that I can control throttle better than any computer could do..........It's not 4 X 4 like my F-150, but my FF will go up or down any snow covered hill BETTER THAN THE REST OF THEM!!!! ( camry, altima, malibu, etc..)

ANYBODY ELSE HAVE SNOW STORIES YET?

Edited December 8, 2010 by juice

[danford1]

What brand and size tires do you have?

Danford1

[Oldguy16]

Before anyone starts any arguments what I'm about to say is truly my opinion only.

 

I have my 2010 Fusion 3.0, with fwd. I've had absolutely no problems getting through any snow, never have been stuck, and have never had any problems in the snow. However it is my opinion that fwd sucks, for this reason only. (In the snow. I also don't like it in the rain and other reasons.) If for whatever reason in the snow you take a corner too fast, fwd will just help you to keep sliding forward, whereas a rwd car, you can hit the gas, spin out the back end, and counter steer to make the turn. In the rain it sucks (In my opinion), and any type of accelerating around turns I have to seriously limit in fear of breaking the cv joints at 65k+ miles. I doubt I'll ever get stuck in my Fusion, and of course I drive carefully in the snow, but personally, I like rwd. Personally.

[Oldguy16]

However Juice, I bet as far as cars go, the Fusion rips the Camry, Accord, etc, in everything. I'm a Ford guy all the way, (Have 5 Fords). But I would rather drive the Econoline in the snow, than the fusion. Just personal opinion. Many people here just try to start arguments with every post, and I'm not trying to start anything.

[Waldo]

If for whatever reason in the snow you take a corner too fast, fwd will just help you to keep sliding forward, whereas a rwd car, you can hit the gas, spin out the back end, and counter steer to make the turn.

 

That's what the parking brake is for. With the added advantage that the parking brake tends to slow you down while hitting the gas tends to make you go faster.

 

Now I'm with you that RWD is far more fun in the snow, but I would never consider it safer.

[jazztrumpet216]

That's what the parking brake is for. With the added advantage that the parking brake tends to slow you down while hitting the gas tends to make you go faster.

 

Now I'm with you that RWD is far more fun in the snow, but I would never consider it safer.

 

Ditto. I hear tons of people extolling the virtues of RWD in bad weather and the only thing I can think is "You crazy!" I've driven RWD in snow and I will take FWD any day.

[JohnE]

Hmmm....Interesting. I have a 2011 Fusion 3.0 FWD and a 2010 Mustang 4.0. (Hard to explain but the Fusion has 30 more horse power than the Mustang...go figure)....Anyway, I would prefer to drive the Fusion in snow any day of the week (I'm in the thick of things near Buffalo, NY where we just had 3.5 feet of snow). The FWD is great. You go around a corner or turn in snow and ice and you lightly step on the gas. The front wheels dig in and pull you around the turn. In the Mustang with RWD, well you do what the other gentleman does and hope for the best. Everyone has different driving habits as well as cars with FWD and RWD have different ways of driving them. You have to learn the way the car will respond in adverse conditions. As far as the Fusion goes, this is my second one and both Fusions (in my opinion) are like a tank in snow and ice, cutting right through it unlike other cars (and some trucks) on the road. As for my Mustang, well, I'd rather be on dry pavement. It's just not made to go in the snow. But no arguments out of me either, I'm just pointing out which car I prefer in the snow and the driving of both RWD and FWD. They both have their pluses and minuses I've never had the pleasure of driving an AWD car. I hope someone chimes in here and lets us know what he/she thinks of their AWD Fusion. (I've already owned a 4x4, in fact 2 of them and a SUV over the years) The 4x4 is exactly what it is. It'll pretty much go through anything, but just like any vehicle, it won't stop any faster or better. (My pet peve...folks that go like a bat out of hell in their 4x4 in the snow and then can't stop...) But back to the AWD, how is it in adverse weather? Got to be great (I would think...).

[akirby]

I have a 2011 Fusion 3.0 FWD and a 2010 Mustang 4.0. (Hard to explain but the Fusion has 30 more horse power than the Mustang...go figure)....

 

Actually it's not hard to explain at all.

 

4.0 Mustang:

Horsepower 210 @ 5300 RPM

Torque 240 @ 3500 RPM

 

 

3.0 Fusion

Horsepower 240 @ 6550 RPM

Torque 228 @ 4300 RPM

 

 

The 4.0 is basically a truck engine - it produces a lot of torque at low RPM and doesn't rev as high as the 3.0. The 3.0 makes more hp because it revs higher (6550 vs. 5300).

 

HP is just a calculation based on the torque produced by the engine and the RPM. Increase the torque or peak RPM and you increase HP.

[Oldguy16]

Idk about a Mustang in the snow, have not driven one. I personally would rather drive my econoline in the snow instead of the fusion. Not to say the fusion is bad cause I doubt it would ever get stuck, for a fwd car it does fairly well. I personally feel an econoline with some sandbags over the wheels does better, maybe because of the ground clearance, but like everyone here I just have an opinion. Out of curiosity, anyone here find that the Michelin tires that come with the car are pretty damn good for overall driving? I actually think when they wear out I'll get another set.

[jtb3]

Actually it's not hard to explain at all.

 

4.0 Mustang:

Horsepower 210 @ 5300 RPM

Torque 240 @ 3500 RPM

 

 

3.0 Fusion

Horsepower 240 @ 6550 RPM

Torque 228 @ 4300 RPM

 

 

The 4.0 is basically a truck engine - it produces a lot of torque at low RPM and doesn't rev as high as the 3.0. The 3.0 makes more hp because it revs higher (6550 vs. 5300).

 

HP is just a calculation based on the torque produced by the engine and the RPM. Increase the torque or peak RPM and you increase HP.

 

I would add that the Fusion Duratec engine has 24 valves vs. the 12 valves in the 4.0 engine in the mustang. The 3.0 breaths in much more air at those high RPM's. BUT...I wouldn't want to drag race the 2011 Mustang v6 with my 2010 30 fusion....it's a different

game now. The 2011 Mustang V6 has the same engine design as the fusion but 305 HP from the 3.7 L V6.

BTW...the new 2011 Mustang 5.0 (w/ over 400 HP) V8 also has the same DOC design as the Fusion 3.0 / 3.5 V6. These are

the best engines Ford has ever made, in respect to power to L displacement ...results = much better power and fuel economy!

[tsetse51]

Before anyone starts any arguments what I'm about to say is truly my opinion only.

 

I have my 2010 Fusion 3.0, with fwd. I've had absolutely no problems getting through any snow, never have been stuck, and have never had any problems in the snow. However it is my opinion that fwd sucks, for this reason only. (In the snow. I also don't like it in the rain and other reasons.) If for whatever reason in the snow you take a corner too fast, fwd will just help you to keep sliding forward, whereas a rwd car, you can hit the gas, spin out the back end, and counter steer to make the turn. In the rain it sucks (In my opinion), and any type of accelerating around turns I have to seriously limit in fear of breaking the cv joints at 65k+ miles. I doubt I'll ever get stuck in my Fusion, and of course I drive carefully in the snow, but personally, I like rwd. Personally.

 

One old guy to another: +1

[Oldguy16]

I do not go against what I stated previously about liking my econoline in the snow better. BUT we're getting about 10 inches of snow here in New Jersey right now, well 10 inches expected. Anyway, drove my Fusion today, wind at 40mph, dark as hell, my hid's, great, I could see, and went to walgreens. 3 cars got stuck in the same spot. A corolla, Honda Accord, and Chevy Malibu, it was a classic. My fusion, boom drove right by no problem, I laughed at everyone when I got out, told them Ford wins, and I got the nastiest looks as I went into the store. But I helped them on my way out, I couldn't just leave. But yea, that's my snow story.

[JohnE]

Oldguy...That's pretty funny, but very true. The Fusion seems to be a tank in winter weather. Everyone has their own style of driving and preferences on FWD or RWD. I prefer the FWD. It's a new learning curve, but once learned it just may push one into liking it better. And trust me, I'm a very old school guy when it comes to RWD. Heck, I was raised with it..(lol).. But things change and so have cars drive trains.

 

On the horse power thing, yea, what I was getting at was why did Ford ever bother putting an old technology 4.0 in them? They should have had the new engines in them from the get go, or at least from 2007 on ward. I have driven the new v6 and the 5.0's and they are amazing. Even more amazing will be the Boss-302's coming out. I really want one, then I decided that there's no place to really run it around here and what would I do in the winter? Can't afford even a second 'beater' type of car so I'd be stuck. Besides I think the price factor on the Boss-302R would be over my head anyway. The standard versions may not be too bad price wise, but I'm sure the 302R and 302S versions will be well over the 40-50K mark (and I think I maybe dreaming on that low of a price) but time will tell. But I (we) can still dream.

 

The Fusion's Durateck 3.0 engine is an amazing engine in itself. With a simple tune you can add more horsepower to it then the 'Sport' Fusion has. And with a change of suspension you could have a ride that could take on a lot of the higher priced sporty type vehicles out there. And then you'd still have a nice ride (if family orientated). Personally I think the Fusion is one hell of a car and so much can be done to it (after market wise) to make it that much better, without breaking your pocketbook.

 

But, back to the snow...we sure seem to be getting our share this winter. Even the extreme east coast is getting walloped these past few days. And if you've ever been south you know these folks shut down everything with just an inch or two of snow, I can't even imagine how they'll be with a foot or two....lol....Maybe they should all get Fusions....

[Oldguy16]

Official amount of snow for my area of NJ was 22 inches, my Fusion did not get stuck once. I drove on Rt. 1 if anybody knows that, which was unplowed and one lane of traffic, didn't have a problem. My econoline did even better with 1000lbs of sand in it, but for a regular car, I pretty much outdid all other sedans that I saw. Mostly I saw Accords getting stuck.

[muscle_russ]

Rear wheel drive is fun in the snow, I've done it plenty myself in the long cold Canadian winters I've seen in RWD trucks with a couple hundred pounds of sandbags in the back. I'm up in Saskatchewan where we typically have snow Oct to April. I have an 07 SEL AWD with Michelin X-Ice2 winter tires all around and the car sticks like glue. In my city in particular, half tons and 3/4 ton trucks and SUVs are common place, but I can accelerate and plow through more snow than any 4x4 can. The problem with a 4x4 is the slip differential, whereas the AWD in my Fusion just immediately corrects for that and just pulls the car like its on rails. I still try to test the system on ice covered intersections and apply more throttle than I should to try to make it spin out or have the trac control cut in, and instead the car just accelerates like it is springtime. I've also driven through blizzards in Montana and North Dakota and it just doesn't flinch - talk about a car that inspires confidence. I have looked at the FFH, but I can't bring myself to buy it because it does not have AWD. Its something you just won't live without once it has saved your ride a few times.

[Oldguy16]

Like I said I was impressed with my Fusion for a car. I have the stock Michelin's and FWD. The Econoline was pretty good, no weight it would have been terrible. But I also took out the 04 Explorer, it has brand new Michelin LTX AT2 tires, the all terrains. I mean damn, left it in 4x4 auto, I mean I think it was impossible for that to get stuck. I drove through close to 15 inches of snow in some places that were completely unplowed, and it was if we had had a few flurries. But russ, we also have a 2011 Mustang, I was thinking of putting those Michelin's on it for the winter, you think it's worth the money?

[juice]

Like I said I was impressed with my Fusion for a car. I have the stock Michelin's and FWD. The Econoline was pretty good, no weight it would have been terrible. But I also took out the 04 Explorer, it has brand new Michelin LTX AT2 tires, the all terrains. I mean damn, left it in 4x4 auto, I mean I think it was impossible for that to get stuck. I drove through close to 15 inches of snow in some places that were completely unplowed, and it was if we had had a few flurries. But russ, we also have a 2011 Mustang, I was thinking of putting those Michelin's on it for the winter, you think it's worth the money?

 

I have stock Michelin's on my 2010 FWD 3.0....This car goes ( and stops ) in the snow....Very impressed.....Hills everywhere where I live....NO PROBLEM!!!!! Here's a good story for all yenz Theres an intersection with a red light at a top of a hill.....roads are covered with at least 3 inches......Everybody stops ahead of me at the red light..... but I'm still on the hill, almost to the top but still on a incline & know I will be doomed if I stopped but I had no choice.......In front of me was a chevy 4 X 4 & behind me was another '10 or '11 Fusion.....We were all stopped with 2 lanes on a hill. Once the light turned green, everybody was spinning out with no movement except the chevy 4 X 4 and you guessed it... both Fusions clawed there way up that hill with people beside us in there Nissan Altima, Chevy Malibu, & Toyota Camry...just looking very pissed-off!!!!

[TylerThompson]

i believe FWD is much safer in snow since most of the car's weight is on the drive wheels, making it a lot easier to manage on ice and snow.

[Oldguy16]

i believe FWD is much safer in snow since most of the car's weight is on the drive wheels, making it a lot easier to manage on ice and snow.

This is true, however having fwd you are limited by the weight of the engine, which is let's say 800lbs. I don't know the exact number. If you have a pickup, you can do as much as it can hold, or my van, alot of sand in it, but it does very well. It's really physics, more weight = more friction, which is grip. Ice is a different story, and tires make a big deal, but we had a total of 31" of snow in NJ for the last storm, and I was one of the few people on the roads with my Fusion, mostly helping other people get unstuck :P .

[twiggy144]

i believe FWD is much safer in snow since most of the car's weight is on the drive wheels, making it a lot easier to manage on ice and snow.

 

Your beliefs dont match reality.

[redfire06]

i have a set of blizzaks on steel wheels and aside stupidity have never had an issue (i planted it in a snowbank a few weeks ago but it was my own doing) however i can say the best and worst cars i had even in the snow were RWD, best was a volvo wagon and worst my last car a toyota cressida. but my fusion handles very well and i am more than happy with it!

[Kathymcc123]

I've had 6 Fords, including my current 2011 Fusion SEL AWD. My first Ford was an '87 Escort, then a "95, Contour (the worst vehicle ever!), then a '98 Escort, an "06 Explorer, "08 2dr Focus (stinks in snow!).

 

In between some of those, I had an "'03 Chevy Trailblazer, which tops any vehicle I've had for weather!, a Toyota Highlander, so-so.

 

On January 19, 2011, I drove away with my Fusion V6 SEL AWD. This winter, here in Rockland County NY, has been terrible. One or two storms every week for 7 weeks. It has handled great! As good a any crossover vehicle, or small SUV, or Subaru with AWD. I'm glad I got it. I work with someone who has an '08 Fusion with FWD and she's said it's great in snowy weather, so you should be fine

[SportBlue09]

Here in the south, I really can't say I know what it's like but this winter has been bad. Last week we had about .5 inch of ice and about 5 to 7 inches of snow. Needless to say our city has the resources to clear the snow, much less the ice in a quick manner. I took my fwd for a spin and was giving my family rides to the work and the store with little trouble. With the traction control off you have a much better feel and can keep moving better. My last car was rwd and I would never venture out in the ice with it. I would drive my girl's Altima, but now I have a Fusion. My car has officially earned its stripes in the winter weather, and I look forward to many years of taming ice covered streets! :headspin: