RS4 , In the snow - 4 WD a bonus?
Discussion
just thought I would share my recent experiences with our RS4 which we took to Cervinia (in Italy) for a bit of skiing. The initial drive across France was a doddle although the fuel prices were obviously a bit alarming ( cost similar to last summer here, at £ 75.00 a tank).
I am not particularly experienced with driving in the snow, but have driven many 4WD vehicles in poor conditions.
So, how does a heavy 4 WD car behave on mountain roads in the snow on standard, low profile tyres?( thick snow ) - Absolutely terribly, no traction at all, ESP goes crazy, even stopped with the handbrake applied, the car would not stay put on a very mild incline!
How much better is it with chains fitted ( front only )? Well, a significant improvement ( at vast expense ), but still crazy fishtailing and no traction without ESP switched off, furthermore, the chains were keen to touch the arch liners and the whole experience was not very pleasant at all - The oil temp stayed at 120 degrees for the 8 mile duration of the hill!
So my advice? - rent a car, take chains or hope that the roads are clear of snow - This is clearly not likely at this time of year, in my 3 trips driving to the Alps, 2 have involved driving in heavy snow.
Plus don't leave it in a public car park or your bodywork will need a bit of attention!
I am not particularly experienced with driving in the snow, but have driven many 4WD vehicles in poor conditions.
So, how does a heavy 4 WD car behave on mountain roads in the snow on standard, low profile tyres?( thick snow ) - Absolutely terribly, no traction at all, ESP goes crazy, even stopped with the handbrake applied, the car would not stay put on a very mild incline!
How much better is it with chains fitted ( front only )? Well, a significant improvement ( at vast expense ), but still crazy fishtailing and no traction without ESP switched off, furthermore, the chains were keen to touch the arch liners and the whole experience was not very pleasant at all - The oil temp stayed at 120 degrees for the 8 mile duration of the hill!
So my advice? - rent a car, take chains or hope that the roads are clear of snow - This is clearly not likely at this time of year, in my 3 trips driving to the Alps, 2 have involved driving in heavy snow.
Plus don't leave it in a public car park or your bodywork will need a bit of attention!
My fwd Volvo managed without any bother over the past few weeks of snow on winter tyres, fully laden 4 up for a ski trip, went anywhere I tried in the snow. I'm pretty sure on a 255 summer tyre it would have been USELESS!!!.
Don't blame the car, they are mega on the right rubber
did you see what rubber the locals were on as they were no doubt passing you sliding backwards down the hill 
Don't blame the car, they are mega on the right rubber
did you see what rubber the locals were on as they were no doubt passing you sliding backwards down the hill Did you check your manual about the chains? Different car I know, mine says to put them on the rear and they work fine (although I do have M+S tyres - not full snow tyres). I believe it's something to do with the torque split and 4wd programming i.e. if it's a rearward bias then chains on the front won't have the same effect.
i would say its tyres 99% sure.
We have one old 90 quattro with good year eagle F1's which are great road tyres imho. but they are worse than useless in the snow, to the stage you wonder if its a 4wd car at all. Also heard the same from a pal with an S2. However our A4 quattro has pirelli p zero rossos, much better but not snow tyres. they are another revelation up again.
We have one old 90 quattro with good year eagle F1's which are great road tyres imho. but they are worse than useless in the snow, to the stage you wonder if its a 4wd car at all. Also heard the same from a pal with an S2. However our A4 quattro has pirelli p zero rossos, much better but not snow tyres. they are another revelation up again.
Ranger 6 said:
Did you check your manual about the chains? Different car I know, mine says to put them on the rear and they work fine (although I do have M+S tyres - not full snow tyres). I believe it's something to do with the torque split and 4wd programming i.e. if it's a rearward bias then chains on the front won't have the same effect.
I did - After the event! I am a typical man who reads the instructions afterwards....Thankfully, I had actually got it right, although there was no mention of switching off the ESP - Had my wife been using the car and a good samaritan had fitted the chains for her, she would probably still be there!
I've driven a lot on the snow in the Alps and the US.
You need winter tyres. The tyres we use over here in the UK are useless in the snow.
The difference between regular and winter tyres is so so so much more than you'd think if you've not experiencd it. Even when you take a good look at them, it's incredible what a difference they make.
I'd take any old car on winter tyres versus a 4wd on summer tyres.
You need winter tyres. The tyres we use over here in the UK are useless in the snow.
The difference between regular and winter tyres is so so so much more than you'd think if you've not experiencd it. Even when you take a good look at them, it's incredible what a difference they make.
I'd take any old car on winter tyres versus a 4wd on summer tyres.
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