AWD best in reverse? 2003 V70 2.5T AWD

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I remember driving a RWD back in the days, when I couldn't climb a hill, I would get a better chance climbing in reverse.

Without having been there, I'd place a bet on a combination of rear tires with more thread/less wear and, as already mentioned, a less slippery surface when you went backwards. You already mention ice covered by snow, which is already very slippery at temps near the freezing poibt, I'm surprised you even made in going backwards. Even Awd with quality winter tires (assuming not studed) won't climb a steep incline on ice.

Yes I was taught this too. It was explained to me that reverse was a lower gear than 1st and that was the difference. June

I remember looking this up in Volvo family and finding that manual transmissions have a higher first gear ratio than reverse, and autos a higher reverse gear ratio than first.

So, if it's a stick, back up the crick, while if it's a auto box go forth up the ( something that rhymes with box and means hill)

[June]

I remember driving a RWD back in the days, when I couldn't climb a hill, I would get a better chance climbing in reverse.

Without having been there, I'd place a bet on a combination of rear tires with more thread/less wear and, as already mentioned, a less slippery surface when you went backwards. You already mention ice covered by snow, which is already very slippery at temps near the freezing poibt, I'm surprised you even made in going backwards. Even Awd with quality winter tires (assuming not studed) won't climb a steep incline on ice.

Yes I was taught this too. It was explained to me that reverse was a lower gear than 1st and that was the difference. June

I remember looking this up in Volvo family and finding that manual transmissions have a higher first gear ratio than reverse, and autos a higher reverse gear ratio than first.

So, if it's a stick, back up the crick, while if it's a auto box go forth up the ( something that rhymes with box and means hill)

Actually it was a 1978 Mercury Grand Marquis with a big V8. It positively would slide down the hill backwards 1/2 way up in snow, but dad told me to go up In reverse and sure enough it would go right on up backwards. That car had a slip prevention rear axle allowing even spinning of both rear tires which in my mind would be half of a AWD? So similar to the OP experience? June

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Ah yes, by going up backwards you turned your MGM into a 'front wheel drive' car with limited slip differential - or LSD for short. Ive blotted out most memories of LSD.