FWD vs RWD?
08-30-2003, 02:33 AM
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FWD vs RWD?
can anyone tell me the advantage and disadvantage of FWD and RWD?? i am not addressing any specific car..just the engine type......i heard (but not sure) that FWD is better for racing in stright line...and RWD is better for cornering..but don't know if it's true
08-30-2003, 02:42 AM
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FWD has its advantages and disadvantages, I will do my best to lay them out.
FWD allows better engine packaging. The transmission can be kept to the side of the engine, instead of intruding in the passenger area, the driveshaft in a RWD car causes a "tunnel" or a hump that can intrude on room. Some RWD cars minimize this, so this can only be a small problem.
FWD gives you "understeer". This is when you want to turn at a higher speed but the car wants to keep on going straight. The tires squeal a bit and for everyday use, FWD is pretty good for 95% of driving.
RWD lets you swing the tail of the car a bit. This is good for extreme cornering and track use.
FWD is better than RWD in the snow. Why? Because it is pulling the car and also because there is generally more weight in the front of a car than in the rear, giving you more traction.
In a RWD car, the drive wheels are different than the wheels that determine steering.
In terms of straightline performance, RWD wins again. Why? Because when you stomp on the gas, the weight of the car is sent to the rear of the car. In other words, in a RWD car it will keep its traction off the line better. In a FWD car, there is suddenly less weight on the front wheels.
AWD is a good compromise for all of this, giving you the best traction all around.
FWD is generally cheaper to make, more "idiot" proof in bad weather and the fact that the average driver doesn't notice the difference anyway.
If you have any other questions, I'd be more than happy to answer
FWD allows better engine packaging. The transmission can be kept to the side of the engine, instead of intruding in the passenger area, the driveshaft in a RWD car causes a "tunnel" or a hump that can intrude on room. Some RWD cars minimize this, so this can only be a small problem.
FWD gives you "understeer". This is when you want to turn at a higher speed but the car wants to keep on going straight. The tires squeal a bit and for everyday use, FWD is pretty good for 95% of driving.
RWD lets you swing the tail of the car a bit. This is good for extreme cornering and track use.
FWD is better than RWD in the snow. Why? Because it is pulling the car and also because there is generally more weight in the front of a car than in the rear, giving you more traction.
In a RWD car, the drive wheels are different than the wheels that determine steering.
In terms of straightline performance, RWD wins again. Why? Because when you stomp on the gas, the weight of the car is sent to the rear of the car. In other words, in a RWD car it will keep its traction off the line better. In a FWD car, there is suddenly less weight on the front wheels.
AWD is a good compromise for all of this, giving you the best traction all around.
FWD is generally cheaper to make, more "idiot" proof in bad weather and the fact that the average driver doesn't notice the difference anyway.
If you have any other questions, I'd be more than happy to answer
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08-30-2003, 04:40 PM
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Originally posted by ghost
wow, thank you very much, i got it now
no wander all rally cars are RWD....so..RWD is the type that will let you do that swing-tail thing huh?
wow, thank you very much, i got it now
no wander all rally cars are RWD....so..RWD is the type that will let you do that swing-tail thing huh?
08-30-2003, 04:46 PM
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Most rally cars are AWD, with more power sent to the rear wheels than the front, i think 60/40 ratio usually or 55/45
08-31-2003, 02:26 AM
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I would rather have a FWD, on the TL than RWD, yes RWD is more sporty, but this isn't a NSX, its a family sedan with a touch of sport, not a M5.. I mean in the snow it is common sense for FWD.. Now AWD is a whole other story..
08-31-2003, 03:23 AM
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Having driven both extensively, I would pick RWD over FWD any time. RWD truly gives a car a good feel and it will outperform a similar FWD car on a drag strip or through the curves. Of course, it doesn't snow around here - but if it did I would get AWD or 4WD and wouldn't bother with FWD. Too bad the TL only comes in FWD.
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