PriceProtect™
DriveShield™
GarageGuard™
Services
Insurance
Car Insurance
Compare Car Insurance with Jerry
Jerry’s Expert Advice
Car Insurance Estimates
Home & Renters Insurance
Renters Insurance
Loans
Car Loan
Compare Car Loans with Jerry
Jerry's Expert Advice
Car Loan Guides
Repairs
Car Repair Estimates
Repair Estimates for Popular Services
Advice
Read Car Content
Browse Jerry Car Advice
Check Out Expert Car QnA
Learn About How We Create Content
Jerry Data & Research
Is rear-wheel-drive good in the snow?
I’m taking my Mustang to the mountains next weekend to visit some friends. One of my friends warned me that my car’s rear-wheel-drive might not cut it on those snowy roads. Is that true? Is rear-wheel-drive good for use in the snow?
Melanie Johnson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
What a fun trip! I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your friend is right:
rear-wheel-drive is not good to drive in the snow
. Front- or all-wheel-drive would be much better for snow.Why isn’t rear-wheel-drive safe in the snow?
- Weight distribution: There is less weight on the drive wheels in rear-wheel-drive vehicles, so the car will have a harder time accelerating on icy streets.
- Traction: When a rear-wheel-drive vehicle loses traction and the wheels spin, it has a propensity to oversteer—leading the back end of the car to swing out. All-wheel-drive vehicles tend to understeer—meaning, the wheel is turned, but the car keeps going forward.
- Performance car: Most performance cars and snow just don’t mix. Their tires are designed for warm weather, they’re hard to control in low-traction environments, and they have low clearance.
This doesn’t mean you have to cancel your trip! Maybe you can borrow a friend’s car for the weekend if their insurance allows for it or consider renting. Hope you have a wonderful time!
Does your Mustang have an affordable
car insurance
policy? If you’re shopping for car insurance, you might want to check out the Jerry
app. Jerry will generate competitive quotes from top insurance companies in less than a minute. Jerry gathers your information from your past insurer, so you’re not responsible for any long forms or phone calls. Customers save an average of $887 a year.
View full answer
- Gregory R.
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance
You Might Also Be Interested
Read Advice From Car Experts At Jerry
What Others Are Asking
.jpg&w=64&q=75){kind=avatar}
Browse More Content
Insurance for Your Car
Insurance in Your State
Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance
No long forms
No spam or unwanted phone calls
Quotes from top insurance companies
