This article makes two points that I wish every driver was aware of.
No matter how fast you’d like to go (or how fast the manufacturer says you can go), there’s only so much power you can deploy safely (and legally) on public roads.
Yes. Spending thousands extra on an 800 hp monster is NOT worth it for the vast majority of car buyers.
All-wheel-drive is a significant reason buyers flock to dual-motor EVs. But AWD is overrated. It can help you start in the winter. But it doesn’t help you stop.
Inertia does not care if your car has two or four wheel drive. Stopping distance depends mostly on the mass of your vehicle, the condition of your brakes, and the road surface. The number of wheels connected to the engine doesn’t matter at all. It’s purely a physics problem, and physics doesn’t fuck around. Of course, you should still make the best choice for your needs… just be sure you understand what AWD can and cannot do.
Driving in snow is about more than just stopping power.
I live in the country and driving through snow drifts can sometimes mean two wheels end up in ice conditions and two on dry pavement. Improved traction helps in this case as well.
You forgot tires in that stopping equation. Do you live someplace with a lot of snow and ice? Get really good winter tires. Only get studded tires if your winters are constant snow and ice in the ground, and there are some very good studless winter tires: blizzak, X-ice, hakkapeliita etc. Good winter tires will decrease your stopping distance compared to all season.
Stopping distance depends mostly on the mass of your vehicle, the condition of your brakes, and the road surface
And your tires, which are probably the most important factor in winter. Idiots buy AWD/4WD vehicles and then don’t bother with winter tires because they think all wheel drive means all wheel stop. Spoiler: all cars are all wheel stop
This article makes two points that I wish every driver was aware of.
Yes. Spending thousands extra on an 800 hp monster is NOT worth it for the vast majority of car buyers.
Inertia does not care if your car has two or four wheel drive. Stopping distance depends mostly on the mass of your vehicle, the condition of your brakes, and the road surface. The number of wheels connected to the engine doesn’t matter at all. It’s purely a physics problem, and physics doesn’t fuck around. Of course, you should still make the best choice for your needs… just be sure you understand what AWD can and cannot do.
Driving in snow is about more than just stopping power. I live in the country and driving through snow drifts can sometimes mean two wheels end up in ice conditions and two on dry pavement. Improved traction helps in this case as well.
Totally. That’s why I just edited my comment to include that “make the best choice for your needs” bit.
I live in New Jersey, so I have a some experience driving in snow, but not as much as you probably do.
I saw an article on how Paris is going to add a punitive tax on SUVs and other overszied cars. Seems like an (edit: legitimately) great idea.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/11/paris-charge-suv-drivers-higher-parking-fees-tackle-auto-besity
I wonder if it only pertains to households under a certain income level, kind of like their ban on shorthaul flights.
Reading the article, its just higher parking fees. So yeah, just a poor people tax.
Oh god please yes. Got a link?
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/11/paris-charge-suv-drivers-higher-parking-fees-tackle-auto-besity
Wow. It really does. If this actually happens, I’ll be delighted.
Edit: I’d like this to go into effect throughout France, rather than just being limited to Paris. Also, I hope the term “auto-besity” catches on.
You forgot tires in that stopping equation. Do you live someplace with a lot of snow and ice? Get really good winter tires. Only get studded tires if your winters are constant snow and ice in the ground, and there are some very good studless winter tires: blizzak, X-ice, hakkapeliita etc. Good winter tires will decrease your stopping distance compared to all season.
You’re right. I just realized a minute ago that I forgot to mention tires. Whoops! Well, the point is still valid, so I’ll leave it.
And your tires, which are probably the most important factor in winter. Idiots buy AWD/4WD vehicles and then don’t bother with winter tires because they think all wheel drive means all wheel stop. Spoiler: all cars are all wheel stop