It is often said that snow is the natural enemy of rear-wheel drive, and this is not an exaggeration. Even the off-road vehicle is no exception, as it loses its off-road capabilities and can only pass through dirt roads like a normal vehicle. On snow-covered roads, it is common to observe various rear-drive luxury vehicles sliding out of control and barely being able to move forward. Despite being rear-wheel drive vans, this is a unique example. It is able to move freely through the snow without any pressure at all, and even on snow-covered roads, it can climb easily without any traces of slipping.
Although they are all rear-wheel drive models, why do vans worth tens of thousands perform so well on snow, while luxury rear-wheel drive vehicles worth hundreds of thousands or even millions look faltering on snow? What is the reason for this? In my opinion, there are several main reasons:
1. The weight of the vehicle.
On snow-covered ground, the lighter the weight of the item, the less likely it is to slide. Due to the vehicle's lower dead weight, this means that less drive force is required, making it more difficult for the drive wheels to break through the upper limit of friction between them and the ground.
The dead weight of a van is usually about 1 ton, while the dead weight of a luxury car is usually close to 2 tonnes, and may even be higher. This is also one of the important reasons for car skidding. The heavier the dead weight of the drive wheel, the more power it needs to provide, which makes it easier to break through the limits of friction, which can lead to slippage.
Some people may wonder: the more pressure a large tire exerts on the ground, doesn't it increase friction? The answer will definitely be no, because the snow is falling so hard that there is a high chance that the wheels will be crushed by the snow. While this is true from a theoretical point of view, snow-covered roads are a special case. As we all know, the braking performance of a car is directly proportional to the speed of the car, and for a vehicle with a heavy weight, its speed is often many times faster than that of a regular car. Due to its low coefficient of friction, the increase in friction is still limited even if the pressure exerted by the tire on the ground is doubled. However, this has also led to a sharp rise in the demand for driving power, so large vehicles are more prone to skiddling on snow.
2. The part of the tire.
The tire width of a van is usually 175mm, which is a size range that is neither wide nor narrow. If the road surface is uneven and bumpy in high-speed driving, the driver often feels very difficult, and it is easy to cause side slip and tail flicking. The tire width of a luxury car is usually 235mm at the start, which is one reason why it is more prone to skidding.
Although the wider the contact area between the tire and the ground, this can theoretically indeed improve friction. This also explains why the narrower the tires, the better the grip. However, as mentioned earlier, the coefficient of friction on snowy roads is too low, so the increase in tire width does not provide sufficient friction gain. So we need to know how to choose the right tires under different road surfaces? In contrast, tires that are too wide can make the front wheel more hindered in snow, making it easier to slide.
3. Engine and transmission.
This luxury car has excellent power and an agile throttle, and a light step on the drive wheel generates a huge amount of torque, which makes it more susceptible to skidding on snow-covered roads. In addition, due to the high speed of the car at high speed and the complex road conditions, there is a high risk of rear-end collision due to failure to brake. In addition, most luxury cars are equipped with automatic transmission systems, so drivers can only adjust the driving force by throttle, which limits their precise control over the driving force, resulting in a skidding that makes it almost impossible for them to move forward.
Compared to other models, the van has a smaller displacement, so the torque on the drive wheels is also lower in the initial phase, which reduces the possibility of skidding. Therefore, if you encounter rain, snow or muddy ground, it is recommended to add a wet pad to the snow or use an anti-skid device for auxiliary braking. In addition, almost all vans are equipped with manual gears, and with a well-designed oil release system, the driver is able to control the driving force more accurately, so the likelihood of skidding is relatively low on snow-covered roads.
4. Technical problems.
Many van drivers are expert drivers, and they are able to accurately sense the working state of the drive wheels, and then precisely control the power output to prevent the vehicle from skidding. If you are a novice, then you should learn more driving skills to improve your driving ability. When encountering an uphill section, they are able to accurately calculate the appropriate dashing speed and accelerate the dash in advance. On the ramps, they always control the throttle to adjust the power, ensuring that the drive wheels remain on the edge of the slide at all times, almost achieving a perfect combination of man and car. If they have a long downhill slope, they take advantage of the tire pressure difference to brake downhill. On snow-covered ground, this technique is difficult to stabilize.
5. A system to control traction.
In some cases, the road is really slippery and requires pressing the throttle hard to rush to the slopes. Off-road vehicles and sedans do not have this system, and can only be used on special occasions. Luxury cars are equipped with a traction control system that automatically releases the throttle for you when the drive wheels slip, preventing you from going uphill properly. Compared to other vans, this car is not equipped with a specific system, as long as the driver does not release the accelerator, the drive wheels will frantically output to the ground, so that in extreme situations, the car will be more passable.
That's my personal opinion, and I welcome you to share your thoughts and opinions with me. Cars