Quick haldex question

[Padtwo]

Hi, only had an S3 a month or two so I'm trying to learn as much as I can. I've felt the rear wheels grip when pulling away when I had a little wheel spin from the front so I think it is working ok. However I have just tried to reverse off my drive which is uphill and at the minute got a fair bit of snow on it. Got half way up then the front wheels started spinning and stayed spinning for a couple of seconds and I felt nothing from the back wheels.

Does the haldex switch off in reverse gear??

 

[pluves1]

Found on the FAQ part of Haldex website

Is there any torque transfer to the rear axle, when a car with Haldex Coupling is driving back in reverse mode?

Yes, it has the same functionality in reverse as in forward, but the calibration can differ, and thus the torque transfer can be different as well.

 

[PaulAr]

Make sure ESP is turned off when negotioting snow.

 

[Jonay]

Make sure ESP is turned off when negotioting snow.

Only when stuck! turn it back on once you get going!

 

[Padtwo]

Thank you for the replies. Was going to ask/try the ESP off thing as well. Thought about it last week, pre-snow, then forgot about it. Bit like last year when I completely forgot about the diff lock function on the previous car for the first few snowy days!

 

[PaulAr]

iirc the manual states ESP should be turned off in the snow, period.

cheers
Paul

 

[Essflee]

iirc the manual states ESP should be turned off in the snow, period.

cheers
Paul

Correct...

 

[Jonay]

But tbh, it doesn't make sense, it's a kind of traction control aswell, if you go about with it off all the time then you're just going to spin out ****-first into a ditch.

it certianly stops you doing 4wheel drifts in the carpark!

 

[phil76]

iirc the manual states ESP should be turned off in the snow, period.

cheers
Paul

Why is this though any ideas ?

 

[s3mike]

Not really true, the manual says it should be switched off in DEEP snow or when rocking the car to try and move it.

On packed snow or ice the ESP will work well to help prevent the car sliding. If I switch if off and accelerate while turning ( with 4wd ) the back slides and drifts to the point where you have to correct it with the steering, with ESP on it stops sliding by braking the wheels and keeps the car on track.

The main reason for switching it off is when stuck as it will prevent the wheels from spinning much and could stop you getting out. You can actually floor the throttle on snow with ESP on and the car will just drive off slowly if there is enough grip - without it off you'll get all wheels spinning.

Didn't anyone see the test on 5th gear with Tiff Needel? He tried to swerve round some cones on snow without ESP and couldn't do it, he ended up spinning every time ( and this is a man with very good car control ). With the ESP on he just drove round the cones as it brakes individual wheels to quell the under / oversteer.

I always leave it on unless stuck and the S3 copes very well with snow when others are getting stuck.

Link to fifth gear video : YouTube - Top Gear - Fifth Gear - Bosch ESP

 

[pi quattro]

Hi, only had an S3 a month or two so I'm trying to learn as much as I can. I've felt the rear wheels grip when pulling away when I had a little wheel spin from the front so I think it is working ok. However I have just tried to reverse off my drive which is uphill and at the minute got a fair bit of snow on it. Got half way up then the front wheels started spinning and stayed spinning for a couple of seconds and I felt nothing from the back wheels.

Does the haldex switch off in reverse gear??

Yep it does work in reverse as far as i can tell. I found out this week by leaning out of the door whilst reversing in snow. Nearly got a mouthful of slush hehe