Driving an auto in snow?

[hartey]

Hi guys, new to auto boxes and was wondering the best way to drive in the snow.

I cant use clutch control as dot have 1! lol

 

[scott b]

let the car creep and very light acceleration

 

[hades-]

get a quattro or 4x4 cos audis man or auto are crap in the snow

 

[h5djr]

I have an A3 with a DSG box and don't find it any problem. Just use Auto mode and apply very gentle pressure to the throttle. Continue to use Auto mode as it tends to select a higher gear. In normal driving (i.e. no snow) I tend to change gear manually using the steering wheel paddles but in snowing conditions I find Auto is slightly better. Much better than messing about with a clutch pedal.

bez101 - Audi's are much better than you're use of English!

 

[scott b]

mine aint been to bad, only one hill that it couldnt get up, but it was minus 10 on an un-gritted country road

 

[hartey]

Thanks. tried to let it creep but would not move up icy hill, ended up turning off esp and flooring it! I no it's not the best option but it worked!

 

[C17LJR]

turning off esp IS the best option!

 

[hartey]

i no about turning esp off, was saying flooring it not the best option!! i think anyway!

 

[quattrojames]

turning off esp IS the best option!

I so don't get this. The only time that is ever any benefit is if the car is stuck fast, in every other situation (for me) ESP will keep the car straight and true and send the power to the wheel with the best grip.

 

[stu_m]

I so don't get this. The only time that is ever any benefit is if the car is stuck fast, in every other situation (for me) ESP will keep the car straight and true and send the power to the wheel with the best grip.

no it doesnt it cuts the power to the engine to stop wheels spinning well its does on FWD not sure on a quattro

with the ESP off you can keep power there and keep a momentum going to stop you getting stick in really bad snow

 

[quattrojames]

Why do you want the wheels spinning?

It brakes the spinning wheel and send the power to the wheel with the most traction, seems like thats what you want isnt it?

 

[snowball1969]

Its about slow and sure, if I can get my 1.2 micra (auto) up a snowy hill then you get anything up an hill its about the driver ability not the car, things like esp is to aid the driver not to take over lol

 

[hartey]

Its about slow and sure, if I can get my 1.2 micra (auto) up a snowy hill then you get anything up an hill its about the driver ability not the car, things like esp is to aid the driver not to take over lol

Bet your Micra has skinny wheels!

So do I just feather the throttle?

 

[quattrojames]

Don't the Audi boxes have a snow setting like normal auto boxes?

Snow tyres would be your best bet if you can grab a couple quickly.

 

[ScottD3]

Don't the Audi boxes have a snow setting like normal auto boxes?

Snow tyres would be your best bet if you can grab a couple quickly.

My B5 auto has no buttons or options.
1, 2, 3, Drive, Reverse, Neutral or park (Not in that order).

I was thinking about this question last week. Never driven an auto in the snow before.

 

[Dsport]

Im pritty impressed with my auto just using D i also am on 19s and have got around with ease i hav nt needed to turn the T/C off as yet

 

[adamss24]

My B5 auto has no buttons or options.
1, 2, 3, Drive, Reverse, Neutral or park (Not in that order).

I was thinking about this question last week. Never driven an auto in the snow before.

Start it in 2nd and you'll get going much easy ! The tiptronic/CVT gearboxes have no 2nd or 3rd gear lock so they wont move in deep snow too easy. ESP is great on big quattro cars as they tend to sway off a straight line or when braking so i tend to keep that on at all times. The a6 quattro and the allroad i have both have ESP and they will spin very easy if you have the ESP disabled. The b5 a4 quattro (yes, i have 3 quattro's) has no ESP or traction gizzmos (it does have EDL though !) and i find that miuch more predictable on wet or snow but with cheap Nankang tyres and BIG brakes up front i cannot stop-it as the ABS is buzzing all the time so the car stays parked and i am using the allroad instead !

 

[ScottD3]

Start it in 2nd and you'll get going much easy ! The tiptronic/CVT gearboxes have no 2nd or 3rd gear lock so they wont move in deep snow too easy. ESP is great on big quattro cars as they tend to sway off a straight line or when braking so i tend to keep that on at all times. The a6 quattro and the allroad i have both have ESP and they will spin very easy if you have the ESP disabled. The b5 a4 quattro (yes, i have 3 quattro's) has no ESP or traction gizzmos (it does have EDL though !) and i find that miuch more predictable on wet or snow but with cheap Nankang tyres and BIG brakes up front i cannot stop-it as the ABS is buzzing all the time so the car stays parked and i am using the allroad instead !

EDL?

 

[stu_m]

EDL?

Electronic Differential Lock