What are the advantages and disadvantages of rear-wheel drive vehicles?
1 Answers
Regarding the advantages and disadvantages of rear-wheel drive vehicles, the following points are outlined: 1. Excellent handling: With rear-wheel drive, the front wheels can focus solely on steering, making the vehicle more agile during turns. The balanced weight distribution between the front and rear enhances handling stability and ride smoothness, while also contributing to prolonged tire lifespan. 2. Faster acceleration and higher comfort: During vehicle start-up, acceleration, or hill climbing, the center of gravity shifts backward, increasing the traction of the rear wheels as the driving wheels. This facilitates better start-up, acceleration, and hill climbing, offering improved driving stability and comfort. 3. Simplified maintenance: The layout of the control mechanism and the structure of the steering system are simplified. Since the steering wheels are non-driven, the steering mechanism is straightforward and easy to maintain. 4. Higher power loss and fuel consumption: Power is transmitted to the driving wheels via the driveshaft, resulting in greater power loss compared to front-wheel drive vehicles. This directly manifests as higher fuel consumption than front-wheel drive vehicles. 5. Inefficient space utilization: The arrangement of the longitudinally mounted engine, transmission, and driveshaft reduces cabin space, affecting passenger comfort. Additionally, the central floor hump in the rear seats can impair the riding experience. 6. Prone to skidding and fishtailing: On snowy or slippery surfaces during start-up or acceleration, insufficient traction may lead to skidding. Braking under such conditions can also easily cause fishtailing.
