Traction Ratio - 2004 Monte Carlo LS?

Recently, my best friend, purchased a Toyota, front wheel drive and was quite impressed until winter came. He advised me that he has gotten stuck twice on relatively flat ground with minimal snow!

He advised me that his car has a 40/60 traction ratio - I am assuming that the right side wheel gets 60 % and the left gets 40 %. He said that the right side was just spinning and he didn't get anywhere until the tow truck came.

Does anyone know what this traction ratio might be for a 2004 Monte Carlo LS? I'm curious as I have been through Lake Tahoe in February and they got snow!! I have never had a problem.

Thanks!

 

Even with minimal snowy or black ice conditions tire chains are recommended ,it also depends a lot on the type of tires you have, I dont think the position of the axles related to the body changes too much on different brands.
Personally I drive a 4x4 vehicle and I dont think I will ever own a 4x2 after seeing and feeling all the advantages of a AWD.

 

on most vehicles the axle will transmit the power to the wheel with the least resistance to turn at any given time which is why you see alot of vehicles stuck with the one tire spinning that isn't getting any traction.
front wheel drives vehicles with decent tires generally can drive in snow very well up to about 6-8 inches of snow maybe more depending alot on the ground clearance of the vehicle.

 

Your tires have more to do with getting stuck then your gear ratio. Get good winter Ice and snow tires

 

our442,

I undestand about one tire having less resistance but as described on the Toyota, he was told it had a 40/60 or 60/40 thing.

I was wondering about the Monte Carlo as to what it might have in comparison.

Anyone know?

 

you may want to read a little more about differentials, to the b.m.k. they both have the same traction under normal straigth driving conditions, when you take on a curve more traction ( or torque ) goes to the one on the outside, now for being stuck in snow any car will have the tire with less traction spinning and therefore getting stuck, unless your car or truck is equipped with a lock differential which " locks " both wheels at low speed, sending the same amount of traction to both wheels.
New Silverados Z71 have the Rear Locking differential already installed at the factory.

 

Most GM frontwheel drive cars have 60/40 drive resistance.

 

our442,

Thanks for the information.

Also thanks to those that responded to my unusual question!

Have a great weekend!