Tires matter more than AWD
This is the most important thing to know about winter driving. The drivetrain helps you go. The tires determine whether you can stop and corner. Most winter accidents happen at the second and third phase, not the first.
In published winter tests, a FWD car on dedicated winter tires beat an AWD car on all-season tires across snow braking distance, ice cornering, and uphill snow starts.
The compound in all-season tires hardens significantly below 45F (7C), reducing grip even on dry, cold roads. Winter tires use silica-based compounds that stay pliable in the cold and add thousands of sipes to bite into snow and ice.
- Snow braking improvement25 to 35 percent shorter than all-seasons
- Ice gripDramatically better below 32F
- Cost (set of 4)$400 to $800 installed
- Lifespan4 to 6 seasons stored properly
- Annual amortized cost$80 to $150 per year
- Launch traction in snowBetter than FWD on all-seasons
- Braking on iceSame as FWD, AWD does not help
- Cornering on iceSame as FWD, AWD does not help
- All-season below 45FHardens, loses 20 to 30 percent of grip
- False confidence riskHigh, easy to overdrive conditions
AWD only powers wheels. It does not grip them.
AWD sends torque to all four wheels at acceleration or when a wheel slips. That is the entire mechanical function. AWD has no effect on braking. Brakes use all four wheels regardless of drivetrain. AWD has no effect on cornering grip either. Cornering grip is the friction circle of each tire against the surface.
Most winter accidents happen during braking or cornering, not acceleration. AWD helps the phase of driving where most people do not crash. Winter tires improve all three phases of driving (go, stop, turn) by giving you more usable friction in cold conditions.
FWD + winter tires (5 yr)
$400 - $800
One purchase. Best winter braking and cornering. Carries you through four to six seasons of cold weather.
AWD net premium (5 yr)
$3,000 - $6,000
Purchase premium plus fuel plus insurance plus differential service minus resale recovery.