Why All-Wheel Drive Doesn't Matter as Much as You Think

There ’s a common misconception about all - wheel drive – or , for the vehicularly illiterate person among you who do n’t understandthe difference between drivetrains , the mental ability to transfer power to the ground using all four wheels at varying rate depending on conditions . AWD was once a relatively niche thing associated with the likes of Audi and Subaru , but now ? It ’s an selection on everything from minivans to sport sedans .

To be clear , I have no problem with AWD or its ever - increasing ubiquity , but I do take number with the rationale behind its popularity . the great unwashed are buying AWD carsbased on the feeling that they ’re gentle to contain in inclement weather – and therefore safer – than their front- or rear - bicycle - drive twin .

While that statement is n’t 100 % imitation , it ’s not 100 % true either .

A Dummy Getting Hit by an Audi

Aaron Miller/Thrillist

To help solve up this AWD muddiness , I head up north : past the Arctic Circle , to the very northerly wind of Finland , in the dead of winter , to a shoes known simply as " White Hell . " Nokian Tyres ( or Tires , in American ) enquire me if I wanted to add up check out its winter tire - testing facility . Of course I accept , eager to play , er , excuse me , engagein some extremely educational driving activities .

Driving status do n’t get much more inclement than this , people .

This gargantuan tent is officially named the " Ice Hall , " but through the filter of a fatheaded Finnish accent , it sound likeRainier Wolfcastlecalling someone an asshole . That ’s not of import though – what is important is the Slip’N Slide hold within : a nearly half - mile - foresightful sheet of ice where Nokian tests stopping distances

The Gates of White Hell

Aaron Miller/Thrillist

Also , meet Nokian ’s nonmigratory mannequin . I have no theme what he ( or she , I did n’t assure ) did to deserve this fate , but his sole job is to get run over , as you ’ll soon see .

MYTH: All-wheel drive helps you brake better on snow and ice

I do n’t know why , when , or how this myth got started – and perchance the people who believe it motley by area and what kind of weather they get – but many driver seem to think that , because you may accelerate better on coke and ice with all - bicycle drive ( yes , that much is unfeigned , for the most part ) , you may stop well as well . That part ’s not so true .

The picture above show an Audi Q5 , sporting all - season tires . look on the gadget driver barb on the brakes at 30kph , or roughly your f number through a schoolhouse zone . The obviously moronic mannequin is now standing in the proverbial production line of ardor ( not coincidently , at the same place where an identical Audi with proper wintertime tires come to a stop ) . Suffice it to say the result is uproariously not pretty for mannequin fan .

Here it is again , but from the linear perspective of being on display board the Audi this time . It drives home that helpless feeling almost everyone has had when you hit the brakes and … nothing happens , because you do n’t have traction .

Inside Nokian Tires' Ice Hall

Aaron Miller/Thrillist

heed to the sound of the group AB activate as soon as the driver hits the brakes , about two seconds in . This is a sincerely state - of - the - art modern vehicle doing everything it can to stop in as little a distance as possible , and it ca n’t overcome the difference in grasp .

Your tires have a greater impact on your stopping power than any other factor

Now , keep an eye on that other Audi Q5 do the exact same test ; the number one wood slams on the brake from the same distance . The only departure ? Instead of all - time of year tires , this one is outfit with right winter tyre . They feature specialized figure - molded safe to poke into snow and water ice , and the rubber itself is uniquely formulated to achieve optimal traveling bag in freeze out temperature . comely monition : it ’s a tedious video , because safety is normally boring .

The difference in stopping distance ( evidence here ) between a tire meant for tricky conditions and one meant for a all-inclusive reach of conditions is absolutely stupefying , even to me , and I knew roughly what to carry .

Your car’s built-in stability controls cancel out your AWD advantage, anyway

Your car ’s electronic stability command are there to keep you secure . They ’ll act in roughly the same way for front- or rearward - cycle - crusade cars as they will for AWD . The trouble with that is , it totally belie the AWD advantage .

Take a turn too fast ? What youwantto do – take advantage of your AWD by getting into a control slide and using throttle to get out of the corner – and what your auto ’s build up - in computersactuallydo , are humans apart . The computers turn out the throttle , and even go for brakes until you ’re slow enough to be " under control " again .

Driving a mi down the route , operate to work or dropping the tiddler off at school , very few people change state off their electronic stability controls . justly so , since they ’re there to help . But while AWD can be staggeringly good for control , very few drivers can right take advantage of it . I had the privilege of driving a couple of lap of Nokian ’s ice course at White Hell – a trial runway literally carved into a fixed lake . Nokian ’s people trusted me enough to change state off all electronic help . With in effect tyre and no calculator , of a sudden all was right in the world .

click to play video