Quote:
Originally Posted by fpblue
I accept your handshake and apologize for helping create this brouhaha.
Yes, I agree that winter tires do give people a false sense of security just like AWD and SUVs...
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OK, now that everyone's kissed and made up, we can get back to content.
AWD and snow tires are at opposite poles in terms of "false sense of security".
The difference is that snow tires give consistent traction no matter what you're doing. Launching, cornering, braking - it's all the same, so to speak.
On the other hand, AWD allows for brisk launches, giving the driver a sense of heightened traction where none exists. Therefore the driver's expectation leads him or her to drive more quickly than they otherwise would, and since there is essentially no difference in cornering between AWD and 2WD, and obviously all cars have four wheel braking, so no benefit to AWD there, disaster awaits.
Guess how I know this?
After a couple of close calls in our first AWD (an '87 Audi 100S), dim thoughts began to penetrate my thick skull, and I backed off. The fact that I didn't have an accident was sheer luck.
Bruce