Why do cars skid in snowy weather?
1 Answers
In snowy weather, the road surface is slippery with reduced friction, making cars prone to skidding. Rear-wheel drive vs. Front-wheel drive: Front-wheel drive vehicles have the driving wheels at the front, which can be visualized as 'pulling' the car forward. Front-engine, front-wheel-drive vehicles are prone to understeer during turns, but this is the most common drivetrain configuration used in most vehicles today. The weight of the car is concentrated at the front, while the power comes from the rear wheels. When the friction generated by the car's weight against the ground exceeds the forward propulsion force provided by the rear wheels, the vehicle simply cannot move forward. Anti-skid measures: To prevent skidding in snowy conditions, you can install snow chains on your tires or switch to tires with deeper tread patterns. These measures significantly increase friction, thereby reducing the likelihood of skidding.