Why is it so bad to drive in snow with RWD car?

Hey guys, I just need some professional knowledge from you guys.
What makes an RWD car to be dangerous to drive in snow, when compared to AWD and FWD?
My previous car was Acura TL, a FWD car. I had no problem driving in snow during last winter with my OEM all season tires. I was only stuck once in a parking lot covered by very thick layer of snow. Overall, it drove totally fine just like my mom's AWD SUV.

My car now is Nissan 350z, an RWD car. I have not yet driven in the snow yet, and i don't plan to it with my summer performance tires. However, I am planning to buy winter tires for my Z to drive in pretty heavy amount of snow here in Calgary, Alberta. I'd like to make sure if my 350Z would be fine with winter tires, as i don't want to install winter tires, and it's still undrivable in snow, you know.

Anyway, my questions are:
1. Why exactly most people are scared of driving RWD cars in snow (heavy snow?)
2. If i were driving straight line, are there any differences between FWD and RWD? Because I do know when cornering with RWD improperly, it could result in spinning.
3. I'm quite confident to say that i'm a good driver, from the driving behavior perspective. Would I be able to drive with winter tires?
4. Any suggestions, ANY, you would like to tell me to drive safely in winter with this RWD sport coupe?

Thank you very much in advance.

Neophyte

1. They spin out a lot easier.
2. Not that I'm aware of.
4. I have RWD sport coupe and I slide around in the road. The fact that you're a good driver won't stop the sliding. (it happens more often on backroads than on mainroads).
The only thing I can tell you is to put sandbags or weights in your trunk to make the car heavier in the back. Snow tires would definitely help but I've never bothered to use them so I can't tell you that from experience.

If you're affulent buy a cheap 'winter' car so that you can drive it for the snow days. A lot of people have second cars so that they don't accidently wreck their nice one in the snow.;

Fonz

Front wheels have the weight of the engine on them therefore, better traction.

kenbgray

Put some weight in the back and drive safely and you will be just fine. A pick up truck with nothing in the back will get stuck all the time. Put some weight in the bed and it will do just fine.

harry-balsacs

You should be fine with all four winter tires on your car. You need four tires, not just two tires for the rear.

In a heavy snow, RWD most likely to get stuck. RWD pushes the whole car forward and if you don't have good grip on the front, you'll have no control of the car and spin out. FWD can get away with two front winter tires as it pulls instead of pushes.

FWD and RWD behave alike in the straight line but with the RWD, you have to be more careful than the FWD when cornering.

Driving in winter time, Just take your time, leave lots of rooms around yourself, and no hard take off with RWD.

Eric

In slippery conditions like snow it is better to pull a car thru a turn then push it. I fail to see understand what you mean by fear as a reasonable person would have respect for fwd or rwd situations.

No issues with winter tires on the Z, but they will be expensive, just like the car.

Take it easy in the snow, remember that you can still steer the car when the ABS kicks in and take your time.

Mike K

with rear wheel drive you got no weight in the rear end. my truck is rwd on any road surface i can spin the tires even when in 4wd its still not the best. now if i put a load of brick or dirt something along those lines in the bed i woudnt be able to spin the tires when in 2wd because there is more weight in the rear then before. atleast with fwd to motor is right on top of it so more traction on the front wheels

lilboomer25

as a side note check your manual about snow tires, due to the differences in rubber compounds, it may say to use all 4 snow tires, my CRX did.
i used an all weather and easy driving.
when all cars were rear wheel drive and front drive started on the scene, people had to change there driving habits for the car and some thought FWD cars were dangerous, now that is changing again. you haveto learn to drive what you have safely.

Jess M

FWD--only the front wheels are turning. Plus you have the engine sitting on those tires so thats quite a bit of weight, so its safer.

AWD--All tires are moving the car, so there is more control

RWD--Back tires are moving...empty trunk space? no weight. unsafe.

UCANTCME

1. They do not know how to drive in the snow.

2. No.

3. Yes.

4. Add a little weight to the rear, drive a little slower and don't slam on your brakes.

Jack

RWD is not less safe.. thats the myth cash strapped auto makers rammed into our heads in the late 80's because it cost less to make FWD cars. RWD is better which is why all flagship model luxury sedan's and 95% sports cars use it still. AWD is too heavy and inefficient. Understeer from most to least: FWD AWD RWD RWD provides better vehicle balance and weight distribution which is safer for the better driver. FWD makes for more of a push the go pedal and accelerate type of car... for ignorant drivers that can't grasp physics. AWD is good for deep snow, but provides no performance benefit for 95% of the driving conditions, even in northern america.

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