Edge Limited FWD vs. AWD

[Edgieguy]

Tony,

Good call. The AWD is absolutely great in wet weather and snow. I wouldn't want my wife to go out in foul weather with the kids without it. Yeah its great to stay home in bad weather, but we all know that's not practical, so this gives me peace of mind when its needed.

 

I actually had the opportunity to drive my Edge through our driver training course at our police academy and I was very impressed with the wet weather grip and traction of the Edge. When the front tires began to plow in a hard lock turn while accelerating the Edge pulled right through the turn. Our Dodge chargers with stability control would brake certain wheels and correct our near skids pretty well too, but the Edge hung in there great for an SUV.

Edited September 30, 2010 by Edgieguy

[Waldo]

Actually you did.

 

 

Well you're right, I had never thought about that 1 in a million time when a moose is running at one's car, causing a swerve and acceleration at the same time, where the extra 2 inches the AWD might provide makes the difference between a miss and the moose grazing the rear bumper.

[oakville_edge]

We both agree that winter tires are the most important thing, I am just saying that 4 drive wheels are better than two and can provide some added safety in all types of weather conditions.

 

Canuck - you're right AWD does provide "SOME" additional safety. I think the problem is people get confused and prioritize AWD over proper winter tires thinking it is better.

 

The improvement in safety you get from AWD in Winter driving conditions is perhaps being 2x better than 2WD - on the other hand good Winter tires can make a 25x improvement to safety. This is where I think MANY people get confused, and spend money on the AWD system but then skimp on the tires and keep all seasons. If you have the money, GET BOTH - it is safer. If you have to sacrifice due to finances, sacrifice AWD over Winter tires if your climate dictates. You will have a safer car, and end up spending far less money.

 

Another point to keep in mind, all season tires wear quickly in the winter. So the supposedly extra money you are spending up front, really just saves you money down the road on replacing your all seasons. Essentially the extra money on the winter tires is minimal, and just the cost of the rims.

[CanuckG35]

Canuck - you're right AWD does provide "SOME" additional safety. I think the problem is people get confused and prioritize AWD over proper winter tires thinking it is better.

 

The improvement in safety you get from AWD in Winter driving conditions is perhaps being 2x better than 2WD - on the other hand good Winter tires can make a 25x improvement to safety. This is where I think MANY people get confused, and spend money on the AWD system but then skimp on the tires and keep all seasons. If you have the money, GET BOTH - it is safer. If you have to sacrifice due to finances, sacrifice AWD over Winter tires if your climate dictates. You will have a safer car, and end up spending far less money.

 

Another point to keep in mind, all season tires wear quickly in the winter. So the supposedly extra money you are spending up front, really just saves you money down the road on replacing your all seasons. Essentially the extra money on the winter tires is minimal, and just the cost of the rims.

 

Well stated, and I completely agree. Like I mentioned previously, equipping yourself with proper winter rubber is first and foremost the most important safety precaution you can take in the winter. I would much rather be driving my 306HP RWD G35 with my Blizzaks over an AWD Edge with AS tires.

 

It's funny how people think having a dedicated winter setup actually costs money. While they do cost up front, your point about saving down the road is bang on. I wish NB, like Quebec, required people to have winter tires. The roads would be much safer IMO.

[revOevoM]

If you drive an Edge that does not have AWD, you get FWD... not RWD. That's a consideration. Just sayin'.

[wilsons66604]

Here is an example of why I wanted/needed AWD.

The parking lots at race tracks can be hell at times.

This weekend I went to the Kansas speedway to watch Nascar practice and qualifing. The parking lots are fields of grasss used twice a year. Driving through the acres of KS grass was a hoot with the AWD 18" wheels and big sidewalls. It was a smooth ride through the pasture to my parking spot.

I wish I had this rig when I went to the Wingless Sprint Car races at Lakeside Speedway a few weeks ago. The parking lot was a swamp in some places.

Edited October 3, 2010 by wilsons66604

[akirby]

The parking lots are fields of grasss used twice a year. Driving through the acres of KS grass was a hoot with the AWD 18" wheels and big sidewalls. It was a smooth ride through the pasture to my parking spot.

 

Why does AWD make it "smooth"?

[wilsons66604]

Why does AWD make it "smooth"?

I guess I wasn't very clear on that point. I assumed people would understand why AWD helps driving through a muddy Kansas field. I added the smooth ride comment as a plus to having the big rubber.

 

If you've ever been to an event with 60,000 cars parking in a field, you would understand it could be hell when it rains

Edited October 3, 2010 by wilsons66604

[choff1138]

Well you're right, I had never thought about that 1 in a million time when a moose is running at one's car, causing a swerve and acceleration at the same time, where the extra 2 inches the AWD might provide makes the difference between a miss and the moose grazing the rear bumper.

 

 

Sadly - Moose are not a one in a million chance here - I had to swerve to miss one in an down town intersection a month a go - damn things need to learn to use the cross walks and go with the lights if they are going to be in town.

[akirby]

I guess I wasn't very clear on that point. I assumed people would understand why AWD helps driving through a muddy Kansas field. I added the smooth ride comment as a plus to having the big rubber.

 

If you've ever been to an event with 60,000 cars parking in a field, you would understand it could be hell when it rains

 

Well of course it helps traction in a muddy, slick parking lot - that's what it's designed for. I guess I misread your comment.

[Waldo]

Sadly - Moose are not a one in a million chance here - I had to swerve to miss one in an down town intersection a month a go - damn things need to learn to use the cross walks and go with the lights if they are going to be in town.

 

But my whole point is that AWD doesn't help you swerve. It only helps you accelerate while you're swerving, which is not the normal way to avoid a moose.

[choff1138]

But my whole point is that AWD doesn't help you swerve. It only helps you accelerate while you're swerving, which is not the normal way to avoid a moose.

 

 

No - I wasn't driving an awd at the time but it was also summer. Turns out no matter how fast you hit a moose - you still pretty much loose. If I can accelarate around hitting it with the side of the car - I will take that option.

 

Will the AWD help you stop with more control suddenly? (honest question, this is my first car with AWD)

 

Do studded tires actually help or just good winter tires the better option. I was really hoping to get away from switching tires out twice a year, but will if needed.

[bpattie]

 

 

Do studded tires actually help or just good winter tires the better option. I was really hoping to get away from switching tires out twice a year, but will if needed.

 

One thing to remember. When I did some research on AWD, it was pointed out that ALL of the tires must be identical. So if you plan to use studded tires, they all have to be studded, at least in how I understood the statement.

[akirby]

Will the AWD help you stop with more control suddenly? (honest question, this is my first car with AWD)

 

That's the whole point - AWD does NOT help with steering or stopping. It only helps you get going. Which is why so many 4wd and AWD vehicles end up in ditches during snowstorms. They think because they can get going with 4WD and AWD that they can drive faster. But it doesn't matter how many wheels have torque if none of them have traction when you need to stop or change directions.

[choff1138]

That's the whole point - AWD does NOT help with steering or stopping. It only helps you get going. Which is why so many 4wd and AWD vehicles end up in ditches during snowstorms. They think because they can get going with 4WD and AWD that they can drive faster. But it doesn't matter how many wheels have torque if none of them have traction when you need to stop or change directions.

 

 

I understand that mentality or at least am familiar with seeing it. I would definitely say that I am not an aggressive driver in any situation. I have laughed for years that my little escort made it to work while 40 trucks and suv's did not. There were plenty of times though, that I ended up turning on flashers because I couldn't get going at a light. I hope that won't be a problem anymore.

[akirby]

There were plenty of times though, that I ended up turning on flashers because I couldn't get going at a light. I hope that won't be a problem anymore.

 

Bingo! You got it. That is where AWD will help and it sounds like you already have the rest covered. Snow/winter tires will help a lot, too.

[choff1138]

Bingo! You got it. That is where AWD will help and it sounds like you already have the rest covered. Snow/winter tires will help a lot, too.

 

 

I learned how to drive on s*@! roads so the moose are more my problem. I have come close to hitting more than I want.

 

Are studded tires just an Alaska thing though? No one else seems to talk about those for winter.

Edited October 4, 2010 by choff1138

[akirby]

I learned how to drive on s*@! roads so the moose are more my problem. I have come close to hitting more than I want.

 

Are studded tires just an Alaska thing though? No one else seems to talk about those for winter.

 

Studded tires are strictly for driving on ice IIRC, which usually isn't a problem anywhere else.

[choff1138]

Studded tires are strictly for driving on ice IIRC, which usually isn't a problem anywhere else.

 

 

Ok - just was starting to think maybe they were some made up Alaska thing (we do that with stuff... )

 

Thanks akirby

[bpattie]

I learned how to drive on s*@! roads so the moose are more my problem. I have come close to hitting more than I want.

 

Are studded tires just an Alaska thing though? No one else seems to talk about those for winter.

they are used here in Colorado by some. But Colorado has different Winter weather. We can get a big snow but it is usually gone pretty quick and you are back to dry roads within a day or two. It is of course different if you live in the Mountains, where snow is more frequent. I have not had them here, but also know there are laws that studded tires must be removed by XX date, not sure when that is though.

[choff1138]

they are used here in Colorado by some. But Colorado has different Winter weather. We can get a big snow but it is usually gone pretty quick and you are back to dry roads within a day or two. It is of course different if you live in the Mountains, where snow is more frequent. I have not had them here, but also know there are laws that studded tires must be removed by XX date, not sure when that is though.

 

 

Yeah - we can have them Sept 15 through May 1 usually. It is often extended one direction or another. I spent some time in Eastern Washington and we had snow like that (where it went away) It was HEAVEN! and it was HOT in the summer. sigh.... I miss it. Job market is better here though.

 

Might have to give into the hubby and get another set of rims and tires. Goodness he will enjoy rubbing it in. He wanted me to get the sport so that I had to get a set of winter tires. blah!

[bpattie]

Yeah - we can have them Sept 15 through May 1 usually. It is often extended one direction or another. I spent some time in Eastern Washington and we had snow like that (where it went away) It was HEAVEN! and it was HOT in the summer. sigh.... I miss it. Job market is better here though.

 

Might have to give into the hubby and get another set of rims and tires. Goodness he will enjoy rubbing it in. He wanted me to get the sport so that I had to get a set of winter tires. blah!

at least this year I am going to give it a go with the stock AS tires and see how it does. If it does well then I am on the fence for next year, I understand how by splitting up use on each set they last twice as long, but gosh it will take a long time ( I hope) to wear these out.

[CanuckG35]

Sadly - Moose are not a one in a million chance here - I had to swerve to miss one in an down town intersection a month a go - damn things need to learn to use the cross walks and go with the lights if they are going to be in town.

 

Same here as well. Three people were killed in my area in the last few days due to hitting a Moose. Sad. Like you, Moose are not even remotely close to a "one in a million chance" here.

[choff1138]

Same here as well. Three people were killed in my area in the last few days due to hitting a Moose. Sad. Like you, Moose are not even remotely close to a "one in a million chance" here.

 

Wow - are odds are a lot better - survival rate anyway.. Car/truck and moose loose, but most people survive.

 

Stay safe as snow comes and the moose are more likely to be on the road.

[ewmiller]

I live in Buffalo, NY and opted for FWD. Simple reason, they salt and plow the roads. I couldn't remember ever getting stuck in FWD unless I was driving like an idiot and went off the road. It comes down to practicality. Less money on the sticker, less gas consumption. No practical use. Why bother? These vehicles are pretty high off the ground, it would take a lot of effort or some very poor decision making to get stuck in snow.

Edited October 11, 2010 by ewmiller