Does more power help in low grip situations?

[CrookedSheep]

This video from 5:20 onwards shows how a Passat 4Motion cannot climb a ramp when three of its wheels have no traction.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooQRxlChvMw

The video suggests that the transmission cannot send enough power to the wheel that has traction, my question is - would more rawr engine power solve the limitation of the transmission?

A example would be a car with a 50/50 power split between front and rear axles, and 100bhp, thats 25bhp to each wheel. The car requires 50bhp in order to move, but the transmission cannot re-route any more than 25% of the engines power to the one wheel so the car does not move.

If the car were to have 200bhp but share the same torque split, thats now 50bhp at each wheel. Therefore the car will have enough power to overcome the weight of the vehicle.

Is my theory correct? If so I guess that justifies the benefit of having a large V8 in an "SUV" compared to the base model 3.0 diesel.

[Willy Nilly]

If you are in a heavy machine that is up to its belly in mud, then yes chucking power at it helps because you can select a higher gear and nurse it out or blast out of it.

Softly softly catchy monkey on snow and ice.

You can normally tell if gunning it will help up out from the drivers seat.

[kambites]

No. The Passat's problem is that it has not enough limit to the differential slip, so the driven wheel has no more power than the least grippy wheel can take.

On slippery surfaces, more power typically hinders more than it helps, because you need finer control to avoid losing traction.

Edited by kambites on Tuesday 28th December 20:50

[thinfourth2]

Have you any idea how much power 25BHP is?

I have used a 10Bhp crane that could lift the car, the ramp and probably the workshop it is all in.

[davepoth]

Think of all the cars you know of that can't spin a tyre in a burnout on dry tarmac. Those might need more power.

[Wills2]

davepoth said:

Think of all the cars you know of that can't spin a tyre in a burnout on dry tarmac. Those might need more power.

I think you would struggle to do a "burnout" in a 911 C2S due to the traction and thats got 385hp and hits 100 in 10 secs and doesn't stop until it touches 190. (you can spin a wheel if you are brutal but not a burnout ala C63 style)

It's not about power per se but the traction that goes with it.

To the OP 25bhp is more than enough to move a passat IMHO. Infact tie 25 horses to one and crack the whip.

Edited by Wills2 on Tuesday 28th December 22:09

[thinfourth2]

davepoth said:

Think of all the cars you know of that can't spin a tyre in a burnout on dry tarmac. Those might need more power.

My ford focus will spin its wheels in the dry if you plant it in first, my caterham won't

One is broken one isn't

[Wills2]

Wills2 said:

davepoth said:

Think of all the cars you know of that can't spin a tyre in a burnout on dry tarmac. Those might need more power.

I think you would struggle to do a "burnout" in a 911 C2S due to the traction and thats got 385hp and hits 100 in 10 secs and doesn't stop until it touches 190. (you can spin a wheel if you are brutal but not a burnout ala C63 style)

It's not about power per se but the traction that goes with it.

To the OP 25bhp is more than enough to move a passat IMHO. Infact tie 25 horses to one and crack the whip.

Oh and Subaru's are great in snow....

Edited by Wills2 on Tuesday 28th December 22:09