It has been a common topic of debate among car enthusiasts on which type
of transmission is better for a car; the Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) or the
Front Wheel Drive (FWD). As you may have guessed from the names, a RWD
transmission provides power to the rear wheels, while the FWD
transmission provides power to the two front wheels. However, the answer
to which one of them is better is a bit more complex, as both of them
have certain advantages and disadvantages over the other.
Rear Wheel Drive (RWD)
RWD transmission was commonly used in automobiles throughout the 20th century. However, it has dropped in popularity due to the high manufacturing costs, and due to the idea by car owners that FWD cars are much safer as compared to RWD.
Pros
Rear Wheel Drive (RWD)
RWD transmission was commonly used in automobiles throughout the 20th century. However, it has dropped in popularity due to the high manufacturing costs, and due to the idea by car owners that FWD cars are much safer as compared to RWD.
Pros
- RWD transmission provides better handling in a car in dry conditions. This is because the power is being transmitted to the rear wheels only, with none to the front wheels. So there is more friction between the front wheels and the road, allowing for greater traction and improved handling while preventing torque steer.
- RWD transmission is much more simple and rugged as compared to FWD transmissions. Suppose a RWD car runs over a curb; there wouldn't be as much damage to a RWD car as there would be to a FWD car. The chances of expensive repairs are relatively less. This is why most police cars use the RWD transmission.
- RWD cars also provide better weight distribution and balance, as it spreads the weight of its drivetrain evenly, along with the engine and the transmission being at opposite ends of the car. This is also why most sports cars use a RWD transmission.
- A RWD car is also better at towing than a FWD car, since the force pulling the load would be closer to the load (in the rear), allowing for better steering.
- There's also the fun aspect prevalent in RWD cars. No one can deny the thrill of pulling stunts such as drifting or burnouts, which are next to impossible to perform in a Front Wheel Drive car.
Cons
- While a RWD car may provide better handling in dry conditions, it is relatively much more difficult to handle than a FWD car on low grip surfaces, such as icy roads or snow. This is because the car is being pushed by the back wheels, instead of being pulled by the front, which increases chances of wheel spin.
- RWD cars also have a relatively higher purchase price, as the rear wheel transmission assembly is more complicated than a FWD.
- In the hands of a professional who has experience with RWD cars, they can be a joy to ride. However, RWD cars are much more difficult to master than FWD cars and have a steeper learning curve. This can prove to be dangerous for a new driver who isn't familiar with this sort of transmission. Over-steering and fishtailing are common problems in RWD cars.
- There's also the added weight factor due to the driveshaft, which decreases economy and increases running costs.
- A RWD car has less interior space as compared to a FWD car, due to the transmission tunnel being placed in the rear, which takes up a lot of rear leg room.
Front Wheel Drive (FWD)
Now that we have discussed the pros and cons of the RWD drive, let's have a look at the FWD transmission. Nowadays, most cars use the FWD transmission due to two main advantages; economy and safety.
Pros
- FWD cars are cheaper to build as compared to RWD cars, resulting in them being less expensive as compared to FWD cars.
- The FWD transmission is also less heavy than RWD transmissions, which increases fuel economy.
- While a RWD car may provide better handling in dry conditions, FWD cars are excellent when it comes to poor weather conditions such as snow or ice. This is because the car is being pulled by the front wheels, allowing for lesser chance of wheel spin.
- FWD cars are also easier to master than RWD cars; for a new driver, it is recommended to get a FWD transmission cars.
Cons:
- Due to both the engine and the transmission being located in the front, there is uneven weight distribution, and the car becomes nose heavy. This results in poor handling of the vehicle.
- Another thing which adds to the poor handling factor is that the front wheels are being used to steer, along with pulling the vehicle. All the power of the car is being transmitted to the front wheels, which once again results in poor handling of the vehicle, as there is lesser friction between the ground and the tires. This is also why sports car rarely use FWD transmissions.
- FWD cars may be cheaper to manufacture, but they have a higher maintenance cost due to their assembly consisting of small parts which are expensive to repair incase of damage. While an RWD car's front axle might not require work or service at all, it is a sure thing that a FWD car's axle would require some service or part replacements over the years.
- As most accidents and damage to vehicles happens head on, an FWD car is also more susceptible to expensive damage, as the transmission assembly and axle in a FWD car is much more expensive to repair as compared to just the axle in a RWD car.
- There are other handling problems, such as torque steer, in high powered FWD cars. This occurs when there is more force being provided to the front wheels than the drive can handle, resulting in the car jerking left and right.
Conclusion
While both the transmissions have their own pros and cons, there is no transmission that can be claimed as the best. It is up to the motorist to look over what advantages one has over the other, and choose the transmission that is best suited to his needs.
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