Which is faster fwd or rwd

But, as I said, the throttle can now help compensate for weight transfer. This is so much fun. Although it may only slightly diminish the overall grip, you lose grip - you go slower.

I know it is FUN going sideways and hanging the back end out. Heck, I did it for over fifty-one miles for the World Record and could not take the grin off my face, but it is not fast. Also, keep in mind that if you are sliding the rear tires, it generates heat, which makes the tire slide more. That darn spiral…. Back to basics and doing them well: proper late braking, sensitive brake release as you turn in, letting it roll, then picking up the throttle smoothly on exit. Driving at the peak of the slip angle can at times can be hairy learning how to be comfortable being uncomfortable — bet you have heard that before.

It is, in my opinion, easier to drive a car past the peak of the slip angle and right on the edge, but that again is a whole another article. It all comes back to having good balance in the car, allowing the handling to be manipulated with the gas, brake, and the steering wheel. So much in driving at the limit is about these three inputs, and how they are used in concert. The biggest difference: The biggest difference between FWD and RWD is when you get into situations where you get oversteer or when a correction needs to take place.

In a FWD car, when getting to a slide, you would want to stay on the gas to pull yourself out of it. In a RWD car, when the back end comes out, you get off the gas for the tire to regain grip and correct with the steering. Vehicles that feature rear wheel drive are a bit more complicated. Power is transferred from the transmission to the rear wheels by way of a long driveshaft to a differential.

RWD vehicles handle much better than front-wheel drive vehicles and you will notice the difference in curves, turns, and when navigating through traffic situations. Rear-wheel drive vehicles are better for towing because the front wheels have better steering without a ton of weight on them. If you plan to drive a rear-wheel-drive car just about anywhere during the winter, make sure the car has winter tires to avoid sliding on the road.

Also, rear-wheel systems are more complex than front-wheel ones, so they cost more to make and are more expensive on the lot. Also, most fuel-efficient modern cars don't have the power required to make advanced driving techniques easy to pull off with RWDs. If neither layout works for you, perhaps you're best off with an all-wheel-drive vehicle. AWD or four-wheel-drive systems provide power to all four wheels, ensuring a balance of traction and handling that's ideal for a wide range of driving conditions and the ability to handle high levels of power because of a differential that can distribute power between both the front and rear wheels.

AWD systems require minimal input to operate, while 4WD vehicles might require more configuration depending on the road surface or for off-road driving.

You can pretty much get away with any drivetrain you want if you live in a reasonably mild location with four seasons and a moderate amount of rain and snow. But if you live where slippery conditions prevail, such as in a region that historically sees harsh winters with lots of measurable ice and snowfall, a 4WD or AWD vehicle lets you more confidently climb behind the steering wheel, even when it's nasty outside.

Ask most folks in the automotive world for an opinion on whether FWD trumps RWD or vice versa, and you'll get strong arguments for or against it since this is one of the most loaded queries in the industry.

As we've shown, both front-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive have benefits and drawbacks. The layout you should pick when buying your next car depends on driving preferences, the weather conditions where you live, typical road conditions, your daily driving routine, and how you plan to use your vehicle. The bottom line is that all that matters is that you find a car with a drive system that works for your needs.

Buying Guides Share. By Autolist Editorial June 17, One of the most important is to find the right drivetrain for you to find new roads. FWD means that the power from the engine is delivered to the front wheels of your vehicle. The pros of a FWD vehicle are that they typically gets better fuel economy and emits less carbon dioxide. Since the weight of the engine is located over the driving wheels, a FWD vehicle can maintain better traction in the snow.