Edmunds Answers questions

What is the safest sedan?

rvalenti — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 17:09:43 GMT

I want to know which car is the safest to have children in?

Double Clutching

sbeener8126 — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:12:38 GMT

What exactly is double clutching?

My Chrysler 300c has had two complete instrument panel failures. Last time at night and all lights were off?

hmitchell — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:50:46 GMT

Would like to know if anyone else with same problem. There is a complete panel failure. When it happened last time at night headlights also went out. When car was stopped and restarted everything came back on. Dealer says it never happened before and not able to say what is wrong.

I want the safest vehicle I can buy after being hit twice - any suggestions?

safetynut1 — Sat, 09 May 2009 14:52:31 GMT

I was in my 2nd maor accident earlier this week and am terrified of the "other guy". I want THE safest car I can get...is it a Hummer? Any ideas?

If I go to Lake Tahoe do I need tire chains on the front and back tires ?

Sekou37 — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 15:16:15 GMT

do i need chains for the front and back ?

Which is the most safe car running on wet or snow?

tom160 — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 03:50:32 GMT

Which is the most safe car running on wet or snow?

I live in Wisconsin. Which is best, AWD, ESC, or both?

joolee8503 — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 20:17:13 GMT

I live in Wisconsin and I had some trouble with my front-wheel drive car this past year in the snow. I plan on getting a much smaller, lighter car but should I be considering AWD, ESC, or a combination? I hesitate to get AWD because of fuel costs, added weight, etc. Suggestions? Right now I am looking at Subaru (for AWD) and also Toyota and Honda.

Difference between all-wheel drive and front wheel drive with traction control?

jvanlenten — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:10:56 GMT

Safety and road handling between all-wheel drive and front wheel drive with traction and stability control

Is AWD better than FWD in snow and ice?

tdtylr — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:42:09 GMT

What is the difference in performance between AWD and FWD on snow and ice?

What is the best way to warm up a car during winter before driving it for the day?

blop2008 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:39:07 GMT

I have had a Toyota Corolla CE 2010 since July 2009. It's a leased car for 4 years. My questions is this: What is the best way to warm the car when leaving for works early in the morning during winter? Some still suggest leaving the car turn on for 5 mins before departure to work. I read an article from Toyota that the car should not be turned on that long to warm up the car for several reasons, but rather should be warmed up by (from what I recall) warming the oils manually (I don't recall how, I'll need to re-read the article) way before leaving home.

This is a general question. If you need more specific info about my car, please let me know.

Rear visibility, especially in rainy weather.

papa12 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:04:25 GMT

How is the rear visibility? It seems like the amount of glass in the hatch door is quite limited.

The rear windshield wiper is also quite small. Any issues with visibility in rainy weather?

We get lots of condensation on the inside of the glass. How well does the rear defog work?

My 05 Chevy TrailBlazer 4x4 is horrible in the winter. Would a front wheel 4x4 Chrysler Pacifica be better? Considering a trade.

thebostonian — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 23:56:26 GMT

I bought the trailblazer new trading in a front wheel drive all wheel drive not realizing the huge difference in handling. When the on demand shuts off you are back in rear wheel drive, yikes! Living in Ontario this is not very condusive. I find the on demand doesn't come on that much anyway and I can't spend the winter locked into 4x4 as this will wear out the truck. I have not invested in snow tires yet because I am afraid this will only provide some improvement not enough. Should I sell the gas guzzler?
I was thinking of a front wheel all wheel Pacifica.

How to use the 4 wheels drive in the snow road situation? Lexus GX 470.

LEXUSGX07 — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:28:38 GMT

I am using a GX LEXUS 07. I would like to use four drive wheel for the safest in the snow situation today. Can you give me some detail instrucsion for this case?

2009 Ford Escape. All wheel drive vs four wheel drive. Which should I choose?

stevemaplegrov — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 12:10:27 GMT

I am looking to purchase a 2009 Ford Escape 3.0 liter V-6 and am debating between All wheel drive and front wheel drive. I drive mainly on freeways, highways, and city driving. I won't be going off road.

Also, I live in Minneapolis, which means snow and ice in the winter. From a performance and safety perspective, is there much difference between all wheel vs front wheel? I understand that all wheel is approx $2,000 more expensive, so want to make sure I really need it before I pay extra.

Also, will there be much difference in resale value?

How does the Dodge Charger RT AWD handle in snow and ice?

murphypb — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 10:53:42 GMT

How Charger RT AWD handles in snow and ice.

4 cylinder 4 wheel drive or all wheel drive vehicle recommendations?

cjmiron — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:46:29 GMT

My girlfriend is looking for a 4cyl, 4wheel drive or all wheel drive Forester type vehicle. In essence, she wants something that won't take up too much gas yet provide traction since she is moving to Minnesota and is not accustomed to winter driving. Please recommend vehicles of this type that I can help her research (i.e. Jeep liberty, Forester, etc.) Thanks for your help ya'll!

I am thinking about purcasing the Chevy HHR but am wondering about how it handles in the snow?

megbee — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 16:48:48 GMT

We live in Northern Indiana and get a lot of snow. Just wondering if anyone has any experiences in snow and ice? Thanks

Looking for a car other than an SUV that works well in the snow. Live in the Northeast. Good on gas.

bart58 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:41:44 GMT

Looking for a used car that is several years old.

AWD Toyota Sienna minivan performance in snowy conditions. On a par with mid-size SUVs, yes or no?

mvossler — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 18:15:04 GMT

Our 2002 Odyssey just doesn't cut it when we are driving in snowy conditions in Eastern Washington. Something we do a lot during the winter. Buying a mid size SUV would be a real step down in terms of access to the back seats for the kids and cargo space. We are thinking of buying a Sienna AWD. I wonder how it does in actual winter driving.

How are Chevy S-10 Xtremes in the snow?

lyerden — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:00:14 GMT

Does the fact that they're low to the ground cause difficulty or impracticality?

I'm looking at a 2000 Chevy S10 Xtreme, 4 cylinder, RWD, fully loaded.. minus snow tires.
Is it worth my time? I live in upstate NY, where we get plenty of snow 8 months out of the year. Would this be a foolish move even if I did get good snow tires and maybe some weight in the back?

Which is better: studded or ice radial winter tires for Nova Scotia, Canada ?

rolandl — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:55:29 GMT

Winter in Nova Scotia is unpredictable. We may have deep snow or not: definately slush and black ice.

I'm looking to buy a 2006 Lincoln LS and was wondering how they handle in the snow, it being rear wheel drive? Any owners?

joeey — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:51:06 GMT

Im looking to buy a 2006 LS and was wondering how they handle in the snow..it being rear wheel drive???any ower?

Buying a new crossover. 4 or 6 cylinder engine with automatic transmission. Conway NH. What is best traction option, AWD or manual 4WD?

tomb8 — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:50:11 GMT

I have a toyota camry now... need to get up some steep hills in snowy situations, I am just not sure if AWD will do the job... or would standard 4WD be better?

How are the 1998 Volkswagen New Beetles in the snow?

bloodyirishman — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 16:56:33 GMT

How are the 1998 Volkswagen New Beetles in the snow?

Can driving through deep snow for a short distance mess with the front-end alignment?

jyork326 — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 13:56:55 GMT

I live in Michigan where we got several inches of snow on Friday. My car operated well on Thursday night. I drove .5 miles on roads where plowing had not occured. The following day while driving, my car began to shake at 35 mph. Is it possible that snow is lodeged up inside the front end causing this? I am quite sure driving through the deep snow had something to do with this. Now we are in frigid temperatures, so snow may still be lodge up in the front area.

My AWD 2009 Nissan Murano keeps getting stuck in the snow and this snow is not that deep.

dana716 — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 21:12:49 GMT

Love my car, drives great on the ice and snow, but if the the snow is deep at all it easily gets stuck! The first time it happened was understandable, but I should have been able to pop it in AWD and easily get out of the situation but it was not so, finally figured out how to turn off the safety feature that would not let me rock the vehicle and that helped a little, but still took a lot of coaxing to get unstuck. Then I got stuck again the next day, Later had my husband play around with it and he got it stuck, and the snow was seriously not even 6 inches deep!! Not very happy about this as I live in Idaho, and they don't plow the roads very well which is why I wanted an SUV. My previous vehicle was an 05 Hyundai, Tucson with 4WD and I had no problems in the same driving conditions!! Anybody had the same problem or have any suggestions for this maddening problem... Thanks!!

I want a small sedan that's good in the snow. I have a Chevy Aveo now and hate it in the weather.

luckylinda — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 12:28:23 GMT

I have a 2005 chevy aveo that is horrible in weather...wind, snow, rain. I've always had good tires and bought some snows this year but its still not very good. Any suggestions for my next small car?

Has anyone experienced problems driving - skidding/sliding or braking) in the Chevy Aveo 2008 in small amount of snow 1-2"?

Helen715 — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 14:44:31 GMT

We just purchased a 2008 silver aveo for a great under $10,00 price, having downsized from a 2000 ford explorer. we had snow for the first time since purchasing the car and had to drive extremely slowly 5, 10 miles per hour) and experienced skidding and sliding from the back tires. Could it be that we haven't recalled how to drive in a regular car having had an suv for 7 year? We're almost ready to cash it in and go back to the suv, but as we age, we need a car that will not be so high to step into (hip and knee problems). We think we might need to reload our tool kit and jack in the truck for more weight??? Any help out there? Please? Especially since we really like the car (me 58, spouse 64). Any ideas on what to do?

How is the Scion xB in the snow?

richdesh — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 11:20:00 GMT

I live in New England and we get a lot of snow in the winter. Has anybody had any experience driving the XB in the snow? How does it handle?

2007 Nissan Quest Minivan. It is TERRIBLE in the snow. I have gotten stuck in 4" of snow and skid all over. Help!

gretchenc1 — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:35:26 GMT

My 2007 Nissan Quest Minivan is so bad in the snow - even with snow tires. It skids all over the place; I have had to be pulled out of 4" (and less) deep snow many times; it slides on flat surfaces that have a dusting of snow; I got stuck on a flat road that I had parked on that had a little bit of ice (the wheels just spun and spun and the car did not move). I am SO frustrated. I live where there is snow 5 months a year, and a "mud season." I feel very unsafe in this car. Is there anything I can do? Has anyone else experienced this with the car?

I brought a Dodge Charger with rear wheel drive. Was that a mistake?

mshemi — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 01:56:03 GMT

I brought a Dodge Charger 2007 with a hemi and it is rear wheel drive. will it drive ok in bad weather

I'm searching for a safe, peppy, and reasonably priced subcompact, and willing to buy recent model used car.

petrolmom — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 22:29:35 GMT

I like the Fit, Yaris, Mini, and Versa. Safety is important, and will do winter driving.

Do I need to use special snow tire chains for a Mini Cooper?

gilroygal — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 00:22:48 GMT

I have a hardtop 2009 Mini Cooper and will be taking it to the snow for the first time this week. Do I need special chains, or can I pick some up at a local auto parts store?

I'm looking for a sporty car that can perform well in Michigan snow/ice weather. Suggestions?

lil_ufo — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:38:46 GMT

I discovered I could not get my retractable hardtop and AWD, but do you have suggestions for a sporty car that performs well in ice/snow. I loved the look of the Volvo C70 with the top down, but with the top up, it looks like any other car.

How does the Toyota Prius perform in heavy winter conditions (like VT) with steep hills and deepish snow?

billc9 — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:01:42 GMT

I would be commuting from Boston to VT on weekends and I currently drive a Saab with four snow tires, which is great. How would the Prius compare in snowy and icy conditions?

With rear wheel drive, how well does a Dodge Charger perform in slick conditions (i.e. snow)?

xxthematmanxx — Mon, 11 May 2009 09:54:20 GMT

I am considering a Dodge Charger. I have not driven a RWD vehicle in many years and am curious as to how well the RWD Charger performs in the snow.

I'm looking for anyone who has a Toyota RAV4 Sport. I'm concerned about what I am hearing about bad performance in snow ?

veamer — Wed, 20 May 2009 23:06:06 GMT

I'm looking to buy a RAV4 - I love the Sport model but would take the base model in a pinch. We've been doing a lot of research on the RAV4 and while doing so my husband and I found a lot of negative comments on the performance of the tires in the snow.

I had a Jeep Grand Cherokee (just totaled it in an accident) I loved having a 4-wheel drive for in the winter.

Am I going to be disappointed with the RAV4 for my winter driving months?? This would be my first new vehicle and I don't want to be disappointed. Any information would be greatly appreciated... thank you...

Is the Ford 150 ok for plowing snow in CT? What specs are best for limited private snow plowing? KennF

kennf — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 07:46:16 GMT

I own a large warehouse facility in CT and want to get a small pickup truck for plowing snow. I don't want it undersized or over. We generally plow 20-30 times a year. Which truck is best? What specs should I focus on?

Thanks
Kenn

Should I install snow chains?

chilipepper7 — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 00:01:21 GMT

It's been colder than usual where we live and we are getting more snow and ice. We've gotten stuck in the snow a few times and I need to know whether we should install snow chains. When am I supposed to put them on?

My little brother put a marble into my muffler. Will that affect my car in any way? Do I have to get a new muffler?

jahpostle — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 19:42:59 GMT

My little brother was playing marbles, and out of curiosity put a marble, will that affect the performance of my car in any way? Do I need to get a new muffler? My car has been running fine though. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

How to check tire pressure?

fie — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:29:48 GMT

I was always told check tire pressure in the morning because tire is cold. Or several hours after done driving. But I have come across to were some places check tire pressure, even when tire is very warm. I know when you get your oil changed they check the pressure almost instant which is there job, and they're not going to wait for tire to cool down.

I'm guessing they have an idea. Also when I set my tires to 32 psi and I drive for long periods of time, I know heat expands. But my readings are close to 40 psi at times, and makes the car ride hard. And if I keep tires at 30 psi, then it seems like it's not enough.

I usually keep tires at 32. and I have told the oil change place not to adjust tire pressure cause they put them at 35 sometimes 40 psi and the car rides rough. So usually I keep tires at 32 and tell them don't touch the tires.

What are some suggestions?

Possible to save gas by drafting?

guidare — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 07:07:28 GMT

Is it true that you can save a lot of gas by drafting off of other vehicles like large buses and trucks? Is this true?

What's the name of the tool that can break a windshield in an emergency?

guidare — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 07:13:03 GMT

It can also cut seatbelts that are stuck. I am concerned about what would happen if I ever find myself submerged in my car. Is there any way to get out of a car that has fallen into a river and possibly turned upside down?

My jeep chrokee, need ball joints but i past inspection. how can i tell if i really need them.

mon123 — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 17:06:57 GMT

I took my 2002 jeep chrokee into pepboys becuae the steering wheel had a lot of play in it and the truck would pull very hard while turning. they said that i needed upper ball joints (they didnot do the work) I took it through Maryland state inspection the same day an it pass. my question is how can if it really needs ball joints

Windshield washer pump freezing

studdly — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 04:24:01 GMT

I have a 2007 Honda Civic EX and when it gets below 10 degrees outside the washer fluid freezes up and nothing sprays out onto the windshield. The dealer states that it is because the pump etc... is located in or by the front bumper thus it is prone to freezing. I'm using Prestone washer fluid that is suppose to be good to 34 below zero. It is making for dangerous driving in the winter. Is there anytning that can be done about this?

Thanks

Which luxury vehicles have navigation system lock-outs while vehicle is being driven?

wendlib — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:15:34 GMT

Many vehicle manufacturers restrict access to certain navigation features deemed too distracting for drivers to handle while the vehicle is being driven. Anyone know of a source for this information?

2000 nissan pathfinder should i use 4wheel low or high in snow live in RI

bettyc1 — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:35:43 GMT

not sure whether to use low or high (4wheel) in snowy conditions live in rhode island

Does anyone who lives in a state with winter weather have a Scion tc? I'm curious how they handle snow.

wthrwrry — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 18:33:41 GMT

scion tc

Snow performance with 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

bill8992 — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 08:51:47 GMT

Is there a problem with the rear electric motors shutting off when the rear tires are slipping on ice? Will this shut the car off on icy inclines?

Is the 1980 Mercury Bobcat more safe that the recalled 1977 Bobcat? Or does it have the same safety problems?

sgrobbin — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 20:29:44 GMT

I am thinking of buying this car from a seller on craigslist. I love the classic design, but don't want to get it if it's as dangerous as the 1977 Pintos and Bobcats.