melindav
☰ 2018
The only place my FWD car got stuck in last months snow was on the drive-over curb at my driveway
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River
Member
Could hardly be more accurate! AWD will help you start moving faster. Winter Tires will also help you to start moving faster but more importantly, break and stay on the road!
Jason Bourne
Member
OP, I have been considering the same question since I made my reservation almost a year ago. Philly weather and NYC weather is very similar. Most of the points brought up in this thread have circled my mind a million times already. To me, each combination has some advantages but one thing that I cannot weigh in to the equation yet is which choice will help me get my car quicker. That's an important factor to me.
I've had Front-wheel drive ICEs, I've had RWD ICEs, and my last 2 cars have been AWD ICEs (Audi Quattro and Infiniti x). I've never had winter tires but certainly the AWD cars I've had have been significantly better than 2 wheel drive cars. Actually, my plan for this winter was to wait for a sizeable snowfall then make an appointment to schedule a single-motor Model S test drive to try to feel how an electric motor does with traction in the snow. But so far, there's only been one real snowfall here and it was gone in 2 days.
I've had Front-wheel drive ICEs, I've had RWD ICEs, and my last 2 cars have been AWD ICEs (Audi Quattro and Infiniti x). I've never had winter tires but certainly the AWD cars I've had have been significantly better than 2 wheel drive cars. Actually, my plan for this winter was to wait for a sizeable snowfall then make an appointment to schedule a single-motor Model S test drive to try to feel how an electric motor does with traction in the snow. But so far, there's only been one real snowfall here and it was gone in 2 days.
PJFW8
Red Menace may hurt me
Jason, please consider AWD's advantage in rain and the general driving dynamics. My Audi Quattro and Subaru AWD cars handled well and were amazing in all marginal driving situations, with the exception of 4 plus inches of fresh snow. If snow is your concern, get winter tires. If lousy weather, get AWD. Both toghether are amazing, but probably unnecessary in Philly. My driving was mainly in Wisconsin. Now that I live in western NC, AWD should work. (Actually I have winter tires due to frequent mid-western travel around the holidays)
Jason, I hear ya. The other thing that I think about are the actual logistics of switching out 4 tires, twice a year. It might not be an easy proposition finding room in the 3 to transport 4 tires back & forth from my garage. That might necessitate having my wife go with me, separately, in her car.
Maybe I'm making too much of this.
ModelNforNerd
Active Member
As someone whose current selection of vehicles includes an Audi and a Subaru, I can confirm.
The Audi's Quattro works great in snow and ice, and is a blast for powering through corners on windy roads.
The wife's AWD Subaru has only half the HP my Audi does, but the AWD is unmatched for snow and ice and stopping power in those conditions. The lack of power makes it the less fun/more practical driver in the winter....that and the fact it sits a little higher. The Audi is only good up to about 4" of unplowed snow. The Subaru gives me another 3-5" of clearance.
Given your dilemma, perhaps you would be best suited to go with an all weather Tire like the ones Nokian offer? This could give you the best of both worlds (with some sacrifices) and at least offer better traction when the weather turns than an all season Tire.
ModelNforNerd
Active Member
I do a full wheel and tire swap twice a year in my Audi A3 (the small one, sedan version).
If I can get 4 19" wheels w/tires mounted on into the car, I don't think it will be a problem in the Model 3.
This is correct. So many people are quick to point out superior FWD performance in snow as " heavy engine over drive wheels = better traction" and move on. Sure, it's part of the equation, but only one variable. You could put your engine in the trunk of your RWD car and it would be better, but still worse than FWD.
But all of that is mostly irrelevant these days. Sure, driving RWD in the snow 50 years ago was a problem, but with modern technology and computer controls (and the right tires), you'll be fine in the snow.
david_42
Member
Another vote for snow tires. You may even consider getting narrower, smaller diameter wheels and taller tires. Of course, we don't know what would fit in the wheel wells.
River
Member
There is a serious problem with the Model 3 if the tires do not fit in it. Yaris tires fit in a Yaris! Ok, maybe 5 people and 4 tires will not fit, but generally you do no make an event of changing your tires
Another solution, if you have a garage or "warm place" where to do it is to do it yourself. Not complex and it gives you some one on one quality time with your car
ModelNforNerd
Active Member
There is a serious problem with the Model 3 if the tires do not fit in it. Yaris tires fit in a Yaris! Ok, maybe 5 people and 4 tires will not fit, but generally you do no make an event of changing your tires
Another solution, if you have a garage or "warm place" where to do it is to do it yourself. Not complex and it gives you some one on one quality time with your car
As I said up-thread, they'll fit. If I can get my wheels and tires into my tiny A3 sedan, the Model 3 with the seats down will do just fine.
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