Compared to 4WD, AWD, or FWD; its the worst setup for winter driving.
Good winter tires (Nokian Hakkapeliitta in my case, but there are plenty of good winter tires to choose form) plus traction control and ABS will help a lot, but you also need to modify your driving behaviour as the car can only do so much.
That and the paragraph that follows applies equally to any other drive setup. Traction control is a mixed bag depending on manufacture. If you are stuck in the snow, you probably want to disable it for a bit to help you get unstuck. Its amazing how some manufactures (looking at you Chevy) goofed that up.
Personally, I also avoid driving the first day or two after the first big snowfall. This gives the city time to deal with the snow and gives other drivers time to re-learn winter driving.
Most folks cannot take the time off and need to get to work.
Source: North Dakota rural driver.
As a side note, keep a survival kit in the car. Some tire chains and a tow rope are not out of line. Know where to attach a tow rope to your car is a good idea, you don't want to end up on YouTube.
>Compared to 4WD, AWD, or FWD; its the worst setup for winter driving.
I don't think the person was comparing them, just stating that RWD, when handled properly, is indeed fine for winter. Having driven extensively in Canada and Scandinavia I agree with that, although 4WD, AWD, and FWD are superior.
My previous car was FWD without any assistance mechanisms (ABS, traction control), but with winter tires, and it was definitely easier to drive it in winter.
So long as you can get moving it is the best setup as everything you do reminds you how bad the roads are. If you can't get there in rwd than 4WD is better, but you have to remember to keep the speeds way down.
Most people just use 4wd to push then farther in the ditch.
Compared to 4WD, AWD, or FWD; its the worst setup for winter driving.
Good winter tires (Nokian Hakkapeliitta in my case, but there are plenty of good winter tires to choose form) plus traction control and ABS will help a lot, but you also need to modify your driving behaviour as the car can only do so much.
That and the paragraph that follows applies equally to any other drive setup. Traction control is a mixed bag depending on manufacture. If you are stuck in the snow, you probably want to disable it for a bit to help you get unstuck. Its amazing how some manufactures (looking at you Chevy) goofed that up.
Personally, I also avoid driving the first day or two after the first big snowfall. This gives the city time to deal with the snow and gives other drivers time to re-learn winter driving.
Most folks cannot take the time off and need to get to work.
Source: North Dakota rural driver.
As a side note, keep a survival kit in the car. Some tire chains and a tow rope are not out of line. Know where to attach a tow rope to your car is a good idea, you don't want to end up on YouTube.