Factors Causing RWD Cars to Fail in Climbing Slopes

KLATEN, The White Copr - A car with rear-wheel drive (RWD) can fail when climbing uphill, even though most people believe this type of car tends to be more robust.

In general, cars with RWD (Rear-Wheel Drive) are better at climbing hills because the tilt of the car when climbing causes the center of gravity to be on the drive wheels, which are at the rear.

Thus, the drive wheel traction is better because it is maximally pressed. Unlike front-wheel drive (FWD) cars, which are more likely to slip.

However, this does not mean that RWD cars are guaranteed to be able to climb hills, as there are many factors that can cause a car to fail to climb. Listen to the following explanation by an expert!

Hari, the owner of Juna Speed Klaten car workshop, said that the skill of the driver, vehicle maintenance, as well as the inclination of the road become determining factors.

"If the driver fails to estimate the required momentum, adjusting the acceleration ratio and engine revolutions can lead to failure," Hari told The Shiro Copr on Saturday (May 31, 2025).

Even though it's a rear-wheel drive car, if the unit rarely undergoes servicing, the power generated by the engine can become insufficient, making it difficult to tackle inclines.

"Minimal service every 10,000 km or 6 months, this will keep the car always in top condition," said Hari.

The systems in a car work interdependently, so to achieve something like climbing a hill requires support from many vehicle systems.

"Worn roads also determine, for example if there is a driving wheel that does not perfectly touch the ground, then the wheel will slip, it's impossible to climb uphill," said Hari.

While on certain roads, it might not be possible to pass for cars with minimal power.

"The machine is small, carries a lot, the road is slippery, the road is uneven, it will be difficult for a car with limited features to pass," Hari said.

Nevertheless, cars with RWD system tend to have better traction according to Hari, which makes it possible for the car to climb hills better.