NewMustang

RWD + LSD + snow = disaster? Is it true?

If RWD with open-diff is actuallybetter onsnow, why people say LSD provides better traction?

corvetteguy

You have two problems with snow, driving and stoping.
For driving it is all in keeping the rear tires (on a mustang)
on the ground. Applying the same torque to the snowy
road keeps you going straight. It is best to carry a few
hundred pounds of weight in rear. Limited slip or
posi may or may not help depending on the snow conditions.
For stoping I think ABS may be the only hope as there
should be no drive train momemtum only braking power.
If you start up a hill sliding not much will help.

GreyStang

LSD is great provided you use throttle CAREFULLY especially when in a car that's packing actual power like a Stang GT. Driven with a tender throttle LSD will give even push from both driving wheels, but hit the gas abruptly & BOTH wheels will lose traction at the same time and can make for an easy spin-out.

For novice drivers I would say an open diff is the better choice for snow driving.. yesyou may get stuck a little easier than with an LSD car BUTyou're less likely to spin the car out. Lesser of 2 evils

ABS & traction control are also electronic crutches that people rely on a bit too much. It's been proven that it actually takes LONGER to stop a car on freshly fallen snow that has ABS than a non-ABS car driven by someone who knows what they are doing (modulate the brakes correctly)

Traction control in theory is good, but it often pisses people off enough that they shut it off. I have to accelerate up a hill from an intersection on my drive to work. if that hill has snow on it I usually turn of traction control because to me it kicks in a little too quickly. However once I made it up the hill I turn it back on again.

wythors

BS. Please provide proof before spouting internet expert drivel.

The key to driving in snow is moderation in everything. Accellerating gently. Turning at low speeds. Braking gradually. The biggest variable is your tires. Most Mustangs are running around on the roads with wide performance tires. Probably the worst choice for snow driving. All the technology and caution in the world are worthless if the tires can't grip the road surface. Earlier this year I saw a brand new Saleen abandoned in the snow. A good all-season tire will make a world of difference in driving in the slick stuff. Better yet is a set (4) of snow tires. My daily driver isa 2004 Crown Vic Sport. I have four studded tires on it and it has ABS and traction control. The thing is a beast in the snow. We had an ice storm here last week and I had no problems whatsoever.

GreyStang

Here is your requested internet drivel. Scroll down and/or search for "snow"

http://www.abs-education.org/faqs/faqindex.htm

ByPopularDemand

Well I have a V6 with an open rear diff. and it is a bitch to drive...I get stuck on small inclines flat road, you name it

mustangman02232

posi will make yourcar spin easieronce you end up in a ditch the posi will help you dig yourself out better tho

straitwangin

I have noticed that in rain/snow/ice the rear end has a tendency to come around on the passange side and will break lose but you can make corrections with slight throttle adjustments and with the wheel.

NewMustang

So, does LSD make RWD cars perform better on snow? or worse?

mustangman02232

if your not careful it will come around alot easier, but, if you get stuck it helps you dig yourself out alot better, kinda a catch 22