We will assume that each car has a weight of 1,000kg

It will have front traction (FT) and rear traction (RT)

Traction is calculated as weight x the adhesion of a tire and we will give a standard all season radial a value of 1.

CAR 1 1000kg 49% of weight on front, 51% on rear

The theoretical perfect car: It exists as sports cars and race cars. It has a split of 49% weight on the front and 51% weight on the back. (FT=490 RT=510) It has very predictable behaviour and if it starts to get out of control it will be felt on the front end first and will tend to go straight ahead and braking or slowing down will bring it back under control.

If I put radial tires on the front axle (A=1)and belted tires on the rear axle (A=0.6) then FT=490 and RT=306. At this point I have broken an MTO law and made the car susceptible to oversteer and if it goes out of control it tends to go sideways and roll over or veer into other lanes of traffic.

CAR 2 1,000kg

Front wheel drive 65% of weight on front, 35% of weight on rear

FT=650 RT=350 with new tires

After driving it 10,000km I rotate the tires; now FT=650 RT=315

Or I put snows tires on the front and partially worn all seasons on the back; now FT=975 RT=210

This car is very unpredictable and given to roll-overs and lane changes and even an experienced driver can easily over correct and loose control. see further information attached

CAR 3 1,000KG

Front wheel drive 65% of weight on front, 35% of weight on rear

4 new tires FT=650 RT=350

At this point this is the same as Car 2, however for winter driving if we put front tires on that feel fair on pure ice at about 50kph, which I have found to be about 6 months old all season tires with a value of about 0.8 so FT=520 and on the rear, softer ice-snow radial tires which will give the rear a value of RT=525 (FT=520 RT=525)

This car is very predictable and can out perform even an all wheel drive in some conditions. If it starts to get out of control you just brake, it slows down and you regain control.