How do front wheel drives and Rear wheel drives behave in a skid

adrian · 18th August 2010, 11:41

Hello friends and experts I want to know if the rear wheel driven vehicles and front wheel driven vehicles behave differently when we try to recover from a skid. (i.e. when we steer into the skid and floor the accelarator.)

Aarman_008 · 18th August 2010, 12:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by adrian

Hello friends and experts I want to know if the rear wheel driven vehicles and front wheel driven vehicles behave differently when we try to recover from a skid. (i.e. when we steer into the skid and floor the accelarator.)

In rear wheel drive:
While starting the car, the mass passes to the back resulting in wheel skidding less.

Whereas in Front wheel drive its the opposite. At immediate start the mass passes to the back but resulting in wheel skidding more.

According to the me, both the versions have their pros and cons. But Front wheel drive cars are cheaper in production compared to the ones with rear wheel drive.

Samir Taheer · 18th August 2010, 14:31

Aarman - I think you got the question wrong

Adrian - What kind of skid are we talking off? Understeer, Oversteer or a 4wheel skid? My basic understanding is that FWD and RWD have opposite results. A RWD car if you floor the accelerator would have the same effect as a FWD if you lifted off the accelerator - Of course we are talking about abrupt actions here!

In a 4wheel skid, is there really much you can do? (Depending on the speeds obviously)

Things like Mass, Power Rations, Engine Layout all affect the outcome of the skid and how to tackle them differently.

I guess one important point is always steer into the skid, not against it.

Don't we have a topic somewhere RWD Vs Fwd?

adrian · 19th August 2010, 13:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samir Taheer

My basic understanding is that FWD and RWD have opposite results. A RWD car if you floor the accelerator would have the same effect as a FWD if you lifted off the accelerator - Of course we are talking about abrupt actions here!

This is what I want to know about in details. Lets talk about how they will react to the evasive action on every type of skid. Skids are being the part of basic driving now a days with people racing into the main roads from side alleys without warning and of course the autorickshaws doing their infamous u-turns.

dhanushs · 19th August 2010, 14:57

In an extreme situation, front wheel drive and rear wheel drive behave very differently.

I guess you are talking about skidding while turning. In this situation a RWD oversteers and a FWD understeers. For a beginner the chances of loosing control of vehicle is more in RWD than in FWD, but then if you know your car well and understand exactly what the tyres are doing at any moment, a RWD skid should be a more controllable (and FUN).

While taking off RWD's provide better grip.

SirAlec · 19th August 2010, 23:03

not only does FR and FF layout matter. Many other factor matters in such situation. Type of suspension, tyre sizes, brakes, Body type, laden weight.

adrian · 20th August 2010, 15:54

I am getting the impression that I should not floor the accelarator of a FWD car when it fish tails ! Am I right?

lordofgondor · 29th June 2011, 15:09

Hey fellas, this may be slightly OT but I request your advice on something.

Until now, I've always driven FWD cars (hatchbacks & sedan) on highways and hills in a spirited manner. Meaning, taking those hilly curves at good speeds. Now am taking a RWD SUV into the hills. What I wanted to check was; what difference(s) would I need to make in my driving style, especially in the hills?

MODS: Please move this post to an appropriate thread if this posting is inappropriate in this one.

dhanushs · 29th June 2011, 17:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordofgondor

Now am taking a RWD SUV into the hills. What I wanted to check was; what difference(s) would I need to make in my driving style, especially in the hills?

Spirited driving is not advisable in an SUV. However, in a rear wheel drive car: Accelerating hard out of a curve with very less traction, might catch you by surprise, and send the vehicle to a spin.

Other than that, it should be fine. btw, which SUV?

lordofgondor · 29th June 2011, 17:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhanushs

Other than that, it should be fine. btw, which SUV?

The SUV is a Safari 4x4.

dhanushs · 29th June 2011, 17:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordofgondor

The SUV is a Safari 4x4.

I dont think you have to worry much in a Safari. You can notice the body roll much before the vehicle goes into a spin (you accelerate out of the corner).

Drive safe, and have a great trip!

18th August 2010, 11:41	#1
adrian BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 941 Thanked: 1,266 Times	How do front wheel drives and Rear wheel drives behave in a skid Hello friends and experts I want to know if the rear wheel driven vehicles and front wheel driven vehicles behave differently when we try to recover from a skid. (i.e. when we steer into the skid and floor the accelarator.)
	() Thanks

18th August 2010, 14:31	#3
Samir Taheer BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: London & Pune Posts: 459 Thanked: 278 Times	Aarman - I think you got the question wrong Adrian - What kind of skid are we talking off? Understeer, Oversteer or a 4wheel skid? My basic understanding is that FWD and RWD have opposite results. A RWD car if you floor the accelerator would have the same effect as a FWD if you lifted off the accelerator - Of course we are talking about abrupt actions here! In a 4wheel skid, is there really much you can do? (Depending on the speeds obviously) Things like Mass, Power Rations, Engine Layout all affect the outcome of the skid and how to tackle them differently. I guess one important point is always steer into the skid, not against it. Don't we have a topic somewhere RWD Vs Fwd?
	() Thanks

19th August 2010, 14:57	#5
dhanushs Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 4,372 Thanked: 10,726 Times	In an extreme situation, front wheel drive and rear wheel drive behave very differently. I guess you are talking about skidding while turning. In this situation a RWD oversteers and a FWD understeers. For a beginner the chances of loosing control of vehicle is more in RWD than in FWD, but then if you know your car well and understand exactly what the tyres are doing at any moment, a RWD skid should be a more controllable (and FUN). While taking off RWD's provide better grip.
	() Thanks

19th August 2010, 23:03	#6
SirAlec Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: zxc Posts: 3,395 Thanked: 727 Times	not only does FR and FF layout matter. Many other factor matters in such situation. Type of suspension, tyre sizes, brakes, Body type, laden weight.
	() Thanks

20th August 2010, 15:54	#7
adrian BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 941 Thanked: 1,266 Times	I am getting the impression that I should not floor the accelarator of a FWD car when it fish tails ! Am I right?
	() Thanks

29th June 2011, 15:09	#8
lordofgondor BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: UP 16 Posts: 936 Thanked: 159 Times	Re: How do front wheel drives and Rear wheel drives behave in a skid Hey fellas, this may be slightly OT but I request your advice on something. Until now, I've always driven FWD cars (hatchbacks & sedan) on highways and hills in a spirited manner. Meaning, taking those hilly curves at good speeds. Now am taking a RWD SUV into the hills. What I wanted to check was; what difference(s) would I need to make in my driving style, especially in the hills? MODS: Please move this post to an appropriate thread if this posting is inappropriate in this one.
	() Thanks