I have a 2013 RDX FWD and I happen to live in NW Florida.

While there is not much snow and ice around here there is lot of loose
Sand on the roads.

There have been times that I have had to get off to a fast start
(Merging into traffic...). Mashing the 'gas' results in excessive
wheel spin and tire noise and not a lot of progress.

Would the AWD ease the wheel spin?

In general what are the trade offs between FWD and AWD?

Thanks

Jerry

 

AWD would definitely ease the wheel spin, since there are two other wheels that put engine power to the road. From my knowledge, an advantage of FWD over AWD is less weight and slightly better gas mileage. The advantage of AWD is obviously better grip.

 

That's true, but the AWD system in RDX is a "slip and grip" system. Therefore some amount of FW spinning is inevitable even in AWD cars at least initially. But the grip will be better than FWD car not just in snow but also in rain / mud / sand/ gravel, hills and curves etc.

 

Good point, while the AWD RDX I've driven does have a little bit of tire spin on hard acceleration, it still has a lot of grip, and is nowhere near as bad as my TL or Maxima that I used to have.

 

I think it also depends on your driving style, road conditions, weather, and amount of mileage per year. Having a good set of tires with fwd can be just as good or better as awd with avg or worn tires. A good set of all season that you keep balance, proper PSI, rotated, and aligned would be just as helpful as awd in FL. I had worn Conti DWS tires (4/32nd-5/32nd) on my RDX and I could really feel the vehicle slipping with 3 inches of snow. The RDX felt so much better when I put new Conti DWS at 10/32nd in 9 inches of snow a week later.

Some additional issues with awd can be:
- more tire wear because all four tires are driven
- added cost for minimal benefit in southern states
- added weight/drive line complexity
- more maint and fluid changes
- don't trust donut spare with awd if conditions need the added traction (have full size spare for awd vehicles)
- reduced mpgs because of the extra power needed for awd

 

All wheel drive is really not needed unless you go off roading or live in snowland.... rolling aka gently tipping into the throttle on the fwd rex will yield the best acceleration results...

 

I've found most of my wheelspin results from too much throttle while starting up at the white line at the traffic light - that white paint is always more slippery. I just hold off for a few feet then have at it.

My observation when visiting the northern states in wintry weather is that all AWD will do for you is get your further off the road into the deeper snow. It comes down to those four little patches on the road for steering and stopping, not just for acceleration. Oh, and basic driving skills, something sadly lacking for the majority of drivers on the road today.

 

Those in the northeast this year and last appreciated their 4wd and AWD vehicles.

 

I have had an AWD vehicle since 2004 (MDX x 2), TL, and now out RDX's. It is a godsend with the winter we have had this year.

 

+1

 

We live in metro Atlanta and while AWD was not a need it was a desire. For us it was my very steep driveway. When she had her 10 RDX every time she would climb the driveway the front wheels would spin as the weight transferred to the back. Since the 2G RDX AWD is engaged under acceleration the wheels have never broke free once. When we shopped we brought home a FWD RDX to see if it would spin the wheels and did so every time. The nice thing even though it is not SH-AWD is that under acceleration the rear wheels are engaged and power is sent to the rear. IT is also nice to have in the rare snow storm we get down here. For last year's snowmagedden the RDX performed like a champ, very sure footed.