Does putting sand bags in my trunk help in the snow with front wheel drive?

Question

I have a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. It's front wheel drive, and I have a tendency of sliding around like crazy during the winter. Going with the advice of my father, we put 240 pounds worth of sand bags in the trunk. However, recently I heard that since it IS front wheel drive, these sand bags don't help at all and actually make my traction worse. Is this true?

Plus, is there anything I can do to improve my traction in the snow? I do have snow tires.

Answer 1

no

Answer 2

I lived in Alaska for many years and I drove both front wheel drive and rear wheel drive vehicles.  The sand bags  work very well on rear drive vehicles that don't have that much weight in the rear.  Such as pick up trucks.  I front wheel drive vehicle the weight of the engine is very effective in assisting you in getting some traction, assuming that your tires have sufficient thread to grab the surface, this work very well when there is fresh powder in the ground.  During icy condition it's very difficult to drive don't matter what type of vehicle you use because the road is too slippery.  I suggest you invest in some studded-snow tires  and adjust your driving to meet the icy/slippery conditions, such as lowering your speed,  anticipating stop and go conditions.  In interceptions it also help to stay away front the very well used path that other vehicles had made and drive in an area that have not being driven that much by other drivers.

Answer 3

Putting sand bags in the trunk will help keep your *** end from slipping out of control in a turn. Front wheel drive cars have the engine/transmission and all the front end weight right over the front wheels so the only option I can come up with is really good snow tires.

Answer 4

The sand bags wont help you.....

Best short term solution is leave for your destination much earlier, take alternate less traveled routes and try to master your cars one certain speed that it will perform best at in snow. Every car has one particular speed or short range of speeds that just seem to work best while driving in fresh or packed snow.

Answer 5

More weight on your tires will help you.  I thought that was

obvious.  The weight in your trunk shouldn't exceed the weight

under the hood.  The drive axle should have more weight.

Reducing the air pressure in your tires will increase traction

(to a point).  I use (max pressure-10psi.)  Also, if you get in a

particularly slippery spot, all that sand counld come in handy.