Hi Scotty
I know you talked about this topic a lot. Question- Is a FWD sufficient with 4 snow tires for northeast winters (snow/ice)? The main roads are plowed where I live (flat surface area) and also along my travel routes. I’m an essential worker. I’m a safe driver but it’s my first time driving during the winter in the northeast. I’m thinking of purchasing a Toyota Camry FWD (2018-2021). I haven’t decided on the year, I made a list. Also how do I correct any slides? Any tips on oversteering and under steering (Is it possible to include these last pieces in your next video, I’m a visual learner). The oversteering and under steering correction seems to confuse me.
Thank you
FWD is fine on plowed roads. Once you add a few inches of snow, and inclines, then you start getting stuck. AWD is one option. Tire chains is another. I would talk to your coworkers and see how they get by.
Also how do I correct any slides?
This might be something better taught with a video or in person, but ...
generally speaking ... LOOK and steer in the direction you want to go. Try not to get into a slide in the first place. Slow down well before coming to a bend in the road. This is something you'll learn mostly from experience. In fact it's not a bad idea to find someplace safe in the winter (large unplowed parking with NO obstacles) and just zip around and experiment. Get a feel for the limits of the car. Intentionally spin out and try to recover etc.
Get some excellent snow tires like Nokian Hakkas, Michelin X-Ice, or Bridgestone Blizzaks and you will have better grip than most.
As to how to drive, just pretend you are taking your grandma to church, There's a platter of biscuits and 2 gallons of sweet tea in glass jars in the back seat. She is wearing a new dress and holding a crock pot full of gravy.
Follow that, and Do as @imperator said and steer your car the way you want to go if you slide, and you will get to your destination.
Yes. Good tires make a huge difference in snow.
For sure, and Ice also. Nokian has a video testing a bunch of tires from all season up to full studs, and it is really interesting to see how each level of tire gets better grip on ice. They test it on an ice track on Finland.